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Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:You'll soon see that this issue has a Holiday theme. We take a look at the Christmas Cactus, and give some tips on caring for the most popular Christmas plant, the Poinsettia, among other things. Hope you enjoy. Last week one of our subscribers mentioned they have been sharing the Green Thumb Times with their garden club - certainly something we encourage. If you also have folks you'd like to share Green Thumb Times with, don't hesitate to invite them to also become a subscriber. As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note. Rex Gregor Tom Krueger 2) Christmas Cactus:
The plant is not a true cactus, but it is almost as drought resistant as the desert cactus. It is actually a succulent and it stores a great deal of moisture in its leaves. If you move the plant outside in the summer, you must place it in a shady area and keep the pot moist. When fall comes, just keep it moist enough to prevent it from wilting. Along about the 3rd week of September I suggest you give it a rest period without water -- then on the 1st of November put your plant in a sunny window and you will be on the road for a beautiful Christmas flower. If you do have any problem with this plant it will most likely be "bud dropping." This is caused from over-watering and the plant is hungry. It needs to be fed with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer. You should continue feeding the plant during the blooming cycle. The flowering of the plant is triggered by the number of daylight hours and the nighttime temperatures. Flower development occurs when the temperature is between 55 to 65 degrees F. for a period of about six weeks. As long as you keep the plant close to this temperature range the flower buds will develop very nicely. The Christmas Cactus requires about 13 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night - starting the 3rd week of September until the 1st of November. (Keep the plant in 13 hours of darkness until the buds start breaking color.) You can give your plant the darkness treatment by placing them in a dark room or by covering the plant with a piece of dark cloth. The simple rules to grow a beautiful Christmas Cactus: reduce the daylight hours starting about the 3rd week of September; keep your plant on the dry side (do not over-water); and keep the temperature as close as possible to the 55 to 65 degree range. The darkness treatment is the most important. And always remember to talk to your plants every day! Rex Give the gift that will be treasured for generations. 3) Humor for Today:A little girl was asked what she wanted most for her birthday and she declared: "A baby brother." "Daddy and I would like to give you a baby brother," said her mom, "but there isn't time before your birthday." "Why don't you do like they do down at Daddy's factory when they want something in a hurry? Put more men on the job." 4) Santa's Workshop:
5) Do You Have to Water Wreaths?
Click Image for Our Autumn Gallery 6) Quote for Today:"Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help
create the fact." 7) Help Your Poinsettia Last:Rule of Thumb: If you are comfortable so is your Poinsettia.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to drop us a note: Rexgregor@rexseedco.com 8) Lemon Juice Tip:
The next time, use 2-1/2 Tablespoons and you'll have the juice of an average lemon. 9) Subscribe/UnsubscribeThis newsletter, the Green Thumb Times, is sent out only to those who have requested a FREE subscription by signing up at http://rexseedco.com or specifically asked to be added PRIVACY: Your email address is held in the strictest of privacy. It is never traded or sold to anyone else. To subscribe to The Green Thumb Times To unsubscribe Rex Gregor, Editor Tom Krueger, Publisher Please feel free to forward The Green Thumb Times to a friend. Rex’s Seedco has searched the world for quality
growers of garden seeds. Many of these farmers bring together ancient
wisdom and modern science so people everywhere may have good health
and enjoyment in life. We are dedicated to providing the best wherever
they are found.
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Although
the poinsettia is the most sought after Holiday Plant, the Christmas
Cactus is rapidly becoming a favorite gift idea to gardening friends.
They are very easy to care for and the abundant blooms make it an excellent
year-round houseplant that tolerates low light areas of your home. The
flowers range in colors from yellow, salmon, pink, fuschia and white,
or any combination of those colors. The abundant blooms of the Christmas
Cactus make an excellent year around houseplant that tolerates low light
areas of our home.
This
Christmas, why not take your kids on a visit to 
A
question that sometimes comes is how to care for wreaths and whether
they need to be watered. If you'll be hanging your wreath outdoors,
cool fall/winter temperatures should insure that no watering is necessary.
Indoors, wreaths will need to be soaked in a tub or sink full of water
for about an hour. Remove any ribbons or other decorative elements that
will be water damaged before soaking. Hang the wreath and let it drain
until dripping ceases, about 1 hour.
Provide
68°-70° in a draft-free area, and six or more hours of indirect
or diffused light. Water your poinsettia when the soil surface is dry
to the touch. Remove the plant from its decorative cover when watering
to allow excess water to run through. Fertilizer is not necessary while
your plant is in bloom. Keep your plant thoroughly protected when transporting
outdoors.
How
often do you have a recipe that calls for the juice of a lemon? We don't
know about you, but we don't often have fresh lemons in the fridge.
But what we do have is a bottle of lemon juice. The big question is
how much of the bottled juice is "the juice of a lemon?"