Early December Q & A

Here are some of the questions that our customers have been asking this week.

Q: I planted my hibiscus that flowered all summer…if I wrap it with burlap, will it make it through the winter?

A. That’s unlikely. These plants not only prefer temperatures above 50 degrees, but they will be killed if the temperatures go below freezing. You could wrap it and see what happens, but since these are plants that are hardy in Zones 10 and 11, and we’re in a cold Zone 7, it would be a miracle if your Hibiscus lives through the winter.

Q: Is it too late to plant daffodils?

A. No, it’s not too late, but pick a sunny day and go outside later in the afternoon when the soil isn’t likely to be frozen so that it’s easier to dig the holes.

Q: How do I take care of the Cyclamen plant that I just brought home?

A. First of all, know that these are commonly called “florist cyclamens” because they aren’t perennial in our climate, and they aren’t generally long-lived houseplants either. Keep your plant in a bright location but not in direct sun. They are also happier in a cooler room. Some people water these from the bottom by placing the pot into a bowl of water for a couple of hours. You can do that, or you can water from the top but be sure no matter what method you use that the entire root ball is soaked and then the plant is allowed to drain. The worst thing you can do is to give these plants a little bit of water frequently, since that can lead to dried roots but crown rot at the surface. Also, once the soil is getting dry water the plant well before it wilts. If a cyclamen wilts, the new flower buds dry up and the blooming season will be shortened. Finally, know that once the days get long and the temperatures are warmer, this plant naturally go dormant. Many people toss them in the compost when this happens, but if you want to try and keep it alive, place it outdoors in May, keeping the pot in a shady location and watering the soil when it’s dry.

Q. I see that your team puts holiday greens in wet floral foam for the porch pots and boxes you sell. Can I just poke my greens into the soil that’s left from last summer?

A. I’m glad that you noticed that the birdbath toppers, porch pots, and boxes we sell are in Oasis, which is the brand of floral foam that we stock. We do this because when kept wet the Oasis will provide water to those greens for over a month. Since we make a new cut on the stems before they are stuck into the floral foam, the pine, juniper, boxwood and other greens we use stay fresh until after New Years, as long as the arrangements are watered regularly. But yes, you can stick your greens directly into the soil that’s already in your containers. They may dry up a bit sooner, but for many people it’s a time saver to use what’s currently filling their pots or boxes.