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| #3 - Question & Answer | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Questions and Answers
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I receive questions twelve months a year. That’s great because it shows that many think of gardening year round. Today, I want to share some of the latest ones that I feel are most timely. With the upcoming holidays, its only fitting that I lead off with a couple of Christmas tree questions.
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| Denny, I’ve noticed that many cut Christmas trees lots have this year’s trees in already. Isn’t it a little early? | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Answer: Thanksgiving week is when most tree retailers get their trees in. Most of these trees were grown in Canada and the Carolinas. Christmas trees are harvested in September and early October. Most cut trees are stored in piles at the farms keeping them relatively fresh until they’re shipped to the retailer. The earlier you select your tree the fresher you can keep it. Simply select your tree. Have the tree lot put a fresh cut in the base of the tree. Immediately take your tree home, place it in a bucket of water, and stand your tree with bucket against the north side of your home until you’re ready to bring it in and decorate. You will have a much fresher tree than those that aren’t purchased until mid-December. |
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| Denny, In selecting a Christmas tree, is there one type of cut tree that stays fresher longer? Answer: All cut tree varieties will stay fresher if kept in a water holding tree stand while indoors. My favorite cut tree is the Frasier Fir, the original Christmas tree. It has short, thick needles on stout branches that can |
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| handle all size ornaments and lights. Frasier Firs also have a wonderful aroma. Other choices – Scotch Pine – Medium length needles with strong branches White Pine – Long, soft needles on branches that won’t tolerate much weight Norway and Blue Spruce – Short needles on stout branches. Do not last long before shedding even when kept in a water holding tree stand. |
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| Denny, I’ve started some paper white narcissus bulbs in a saucer of gravel that I’ve placed on my coffee table. I heard there is something you can add to the water you use in the saucer that will keep my paper whites leaves short and stocky instead of tall and floppy. Do you know what I put in the water? |  |
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| Answer: Yes there is and it might sound weird, but it works. Add three ounces of any brand of gin, that’s right gin to a quart (32oz.) of water. Use this solution each time you have to add water to the gravel in the saucer that’s supporting your bulbs. Caution – this method has been known to attract neighbors. |
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| Denny, My Dahlias have died back to the ground. Can I leave the roots in the ground for the winter and do I cut the leaves and stems back to the ground? Answer: Dig Dahlias roots (tubers) after a hard frost which we’ve already had. Carefully dig up the tubers with leaves and stems still attached. Allow the foliage and tubers to air dry out of the sun, but not on cement/concrete as this will draw moisture out of the tubers. Cut the stems and leaves off about 6 inches above the tubers. Pack tubers/clumps in crates or newspaper lined cardboard boxes. Use a storage medium of course sand or slightly damp sphagnum peat moss. Store in a place where the temperature stays in the 40-45 degrees range (unheated garage). Do not allow stored tubers to freeze. Check occasionally to see that the stored tubers and their medium remain a little moist, not wet during their storage period. |
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| Keep the questions coming. By keeping our mind on plants and such, it will be spring before we know it. |
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