Holiday tree and plant tips

The holidays are here! For many families, this means that their indoor space will be full of color, filled with a holiday tree and seasonal plants. Selecting and caring for trees and plants are an important part of holiday preparations. With a little attention to selection and proper care, the holidays can be full of wonderful fragrances and freshness, making the season more enjoyable.

With holiday trees, safety is also an important consideration.

How to select and care for a tree
In selecting just the right tree for decorating, most people look for a tree that is healthy, free from damage and well trimmed. They generally want a tree that tapers gently to a full bottom with ample number of branches for ornaments. Quality trees will be fresh, with pliable needles that are firmly attached to the branches; clean (free of moss, lichen, vines and other foreign matter), healthy, with good color; and well-trimmed.

To pick out the "perfect" pre-cut tree, decide on the tree that is the right height for your home, and possesses resilient, attached needles and strong limbs. The most common species of fresh cut trees are the Douglas, balsam and noble firs as well as the Monterey pine. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the cut portion of the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree is dry and a fire hazard.

Observing fire safety precautions is very important, as a tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases. Once the tree is standing indoors, keep the tree stand filled with water at all times. Do not place the tree close to a heat source, which will dry out the tree. Also, be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near the tree.

How to care for poinsettias
When potted plants are brought into the house, where the light and relative humidity are low and the temperatures are at human comfort level, they do not perform well for long periods. Poinsettias require bright light and should be kept away from drafts. A temperature between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Keep them well-watered, but do not overwater.

After the bracts fade or fall, set poinsettia plants outdoors where they will receive indirect light and temperatures of 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Water sparingly during this time, with just enough water to keep the stems from shriveling. Cut the plants back to within about 5 inches from the ground and repot in fresh soil. As soon as new growth begins, place in a well-lighted window. After the danger of frost is over, place pots outdoors in a partially shaded spot. Pinch the new growth back to get a plant with several stems.

After Labor Day, or when the nights start to cool, bring the plants indoors. Continue to grow them in a sunny room with a night temperature of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to care for mums (chrysanthemum)
A potted, blooming mum can provide a nice color accent in the home. If given proper care, the plant should have a life of four to six weeks or more indoors. Provide mums with several hours of bright, indirect sunlight near a window each day. This will maintain growth without fading blooms prematurely. Water when the soil becomes dry to the touch and the pot becomes noticeably lighter in weight. If temperatures are warm, water may be needed daily. Do not let the potting mix become completely dry, and be sure the plant does not stand in water. Fertilizer is not needed. Remove dead leaves and faded blooms as they develop to keep plants looking their best.

The plants will not re-flower in the home. But, after flowering, they can be planted in the garden where they often flower again in the fall and sometimes in the late spring. After planting in the garden, trim plants once or twice to keep them from getting leggy and re-trim them after each flowering cycle.

Holiday trees and plants can be a safe and beautiful addition to the holiday decor. They can also help keep the indoor air clean.

For more information on Cooperative Extension's offerings in environmental horticulture, please visit
http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/.

As part of the University of California, Cooperative Extension was established in 1914 to connect local communities to their state's land grant university. An office in each county in California responds to the changing needs of its local populations, designing and carrying out research-based programs in the areas of food, health, agriculture, horticulture and the environment.