Houseplants make a wonderful holiday gift
It is the season for giving and receiving plants as gifts. It is important to protect the plants from cold winter temperatures when bringing them home.
Most garden centers will wrap plants to protect them from the cold. Wrapping the plants also protects them against breakage.
Be sure the plants are placed in a stable location on the way home. If you plan to transport multiple plants, it's a good idea to use a box to carry them. When transporting plants home, the car should be warm, especially if outdoor temperatures are below freezing. Plants should never be transported in a cold trunk or allowed to sit in a cold car for any length of time.
Plants should remain wrapped for no more than 24 hours. Open the top to allow the plants to get air if they are going to be wrapped for an extended period of time.
To unwrap a plant, it is best to set the plant on a stable surface and carefully tear or cut the wrapper from the bottom up. Do not attempt to pull the wrapper off the plant as you risk breaking stems, flowers and leaves.
Foil pot wrappers are attractive, but should be removed whenever the plant is watered so that the plant does not sit in water. You can also punch holes in the foil wrapping material to allow water to drain.
Flowering plants such as azalea, kalanchoe, cyclamen and amaryllis brighten long winter days and are welcome gifts.
Select plants free from spots, bruising, wilting or browned leaf margins. Look for plants with flowers that are not completely open or with lots of buds as you will get a longer period of color. The flowers will also last longer in a cool room with temperatures in the low 60 degrees.
Cyclamen plants prefer cool indoor conditions. Water them only when the soil dries out, and avoid splashing water on foliage. Remove faded flowers and their stems as soon as possible to keep the plant blooming and looking good.
Pot up new amaryllis bulbs in wide, squat containers using a soilless growing medium. Allow the “shoulders” of the bulb to remain above the medium; water well once and then allow the medium to dry out before watering again. Keep the pot away from direct sun, drafts and heating vents. As the stalk grows, rotate the pot for even growth.
Most amaryllis send up the stalk and flowers first. After flowering, allow the stalk to yellow and wither before removing from the bulb. If you want to try to save the plant, continue to water when leaves emerge. After May 15, take the plant outside to receive morning sun and fertilize regularly with a dilute 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 mix. Bring the bulb in before Oct. 15 for its resting period.
• Tim Johnson is director of horticulture at Chicago Botanic Garden, chicagobotanic.org.