What is the proper temperature for houseplants during the winter months?
Most houseplants grow well with daytime temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees F and night temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees F. Temperatures below 50 degrees F or rapid temperature fluctuations may harm some plants. Keep houseplants away from cold drafts, radiators, and hot air vents. Also make sure houseplant foliage doesn't touch cold windows.
What are some good ways to dispose of a Christmas tree after the holidays?
After the holidays, there are several ways to dispose of or recycle your tree. (Before recycling your Christmas tree, remove all lights, ornaments and tinsel.)
Place the tree in the yard or garden for use by birds and other wildlife. The branches provide shelter from strong winds, snow, and cold temperatures. Food can be supplied by hanging fruit slices, seed cakes, suet bags, or strings of cranberries or raisins on the tree’s branches. You can also smear peanut butter and seeds in pine cones and hang them in the tree.
Prune off the tree’s branches and place the boughs over perennials as a winter mulch. Chip the tree and use the chipped material as a mulch around trees, shrubs, or in perennial flower beds.
If you can't use the tree yourself, contact local government offices, such as the Public Works Department, or your sanitation service. Most communities have some type of Christmas tree disposal program. Some have central collection points, others collect the trees at curbside.
Conservation groups may be another option. Some hunting and fishing groups collect trees and use them to provide habitat for wildlife.
How do you care for cinerarias?
Cinerarias, a cool-season greenhouse crop, are typically available from January through April. The daisy-like flowers, which are 1 to 4 inches in diameter, are available in a wide range of colors, including pink, red, lavender, purple and blue. Many have white eyes.
Cinerarias should be placed in bright, indirect light with a temperature near 60 degrees F. Keep the potting soil uniformly moist, but not saturated. If the potting soil becomes dry, the plant will wilt rapidly and may die if not promptly watered.
Cinerarias should remain attractive for two or three weeks if given good care. After the flowers dry and shrivel, discard the plants.
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