Omaha daily bee., 1909-12-05
HOUSE PLANTS FOR WINTER
Varieties to Choose and the Care
They Need.
TIPS FROM AN EXPERT FLORIST
AsIaes7 May he Made to Bloom All
the sessOn-POinsettas Gorgeous,
but Hard TO Keep-Orchtd
Easily GrOwn.

ITO make your holiday plants remain
In attractive conditions as long as possible
you should begin by selecting the right
varieties" a florist said. For Christmas
choose rich greens with red in the highest
shades or with golden yellow. Red and
gold are the best for winter decorations
because they accent indoor brightness
when everything outside is cold and bare.
For indoor decoration we choose for color
rather than fragrance.
THE next point is durability. the length
of time q plant Will last in or near per-
lection. The really valuabue plant for
indoor decoration must be able to with
stand great variations in light, heat and
moisture.
The Indian RzsIea stands first among
the Towering plants used for indoor
decorations. These plants are now so COM
mon with US that many people believe them
natives. whereas the truth Is not one
IS actually raised here. To supply the
American demand a huge industry In
azsless has built up In Holland, Belgium
and France.
AS a rule they came to US early in the
fall. are at once put into the greenhouse
and are forced for Christmas and Easter
decoration. While there are moro thar
400 varieties only a few are suitable
for the purpose Of forcing for indoor deco
lhNlous Aut must HDPAtNA aAN NhN NeN1N
Pcrlc. which has q snowy white flower
and the Veraeneana, a brilliant pink"
Kind Of Plant to Bay.
when buying an azalea select a plant
on which the blossoms are not yet fully
opened. The plant with the mass OF open
flowers may appeal to you as being the
most perfect and making the bravest
show, but you must remember that after
perfection comes the fading Of the flowers
and that within a few days the blooms
win have gone and only leaves remain.
1t is much better TO have a much less
snowy start with a plant that is filled with
buds Just opening. Such a plant will be-
come more and more beautiful as the days
pass and will often IL properly treated last
several weeks.
Plotted azaleas are grown In two styles,
the low dome and the taller conical. BY
ali means choose the tall conical style.
The low dome is by far the more common
because It makes the greater show, but the
tall shape is not only more artistic, but
other points being equal, lasts longer. II
a good selection is made and supplemented
by intelligent care an azalea bought for
Christmas will carry at least a few bios
SONS through the winter and be ready to
set out in the yard or boarded with
a florist when warm weather comes.
While azaieas are indoors, as the flowers
fade, the dead corollas should be picked
off and the roots kept wei watered so as
TO encourage new growth. About once a
week a small quantity of liquid fertilizer
should be given. Such fertilizer is 10 be
bought in powdered form at almost any
good seed store for a few cents A small
package viii be sufficient for half a dozen
plants for the entire season.
Caring for the Plant.
When the weather becomes sufficiently
warm and settled the plant may be set
out of doors in a slightly shaded spot
where there is free circulation of air, but
not In the direct rays Of the sun. During
the summer the object should be to keep
the roots cool and moist This can best
be accomplished by sinking the pot up tC
it's rim In the earth and watering con,
stantly.
When cold weather returns IL should
be taken IN and can be easily made L
blossom with more or less freedom in the
winter garden. Under no circumstance,
should the roots OF the azalea be allowed
to get dry, This will cause yhe leaves &
drop and kin all the flower buds in progress
Of maturing.
The Glorie de Lorraine begonla comes
next after the azalea in point OF popularity
Tor indoor decoration. Il is so profusell
HNb O hNeAAN NH0N 'ANNA 80 N @N'e
is entirely hidden.
Individually the flowers are rattle
small, but taken in the mass they max
a gorgeous effect in pure light pink. Whel
first introduced in this country II was =
Aeautiful that from being a novelty Of tn
season It became at once a standard holi
day plant. II lasts two long weeks, an,
after Towering II should be cut back sc
verely II you wish to carry it over anothe
year.
1t Is normally a winter bloomer an
does best in a cool, bouyant atmosphere
Heat, especially dry heat, will cause
10 deterlorate rapidly and under the usua
conditions Il Is not always possible 10 carr
it over for another year. 1t is best wher
the begonia Is intended for the living roOr
to buy plants that are already IN bloom
Water moderately and keep as cool a
possible without subjecting the plant t
chilly dfaughts.
Glorious Poinsetta.
The most gorgeous OF all Christina
plants Is the poinsetta. The stalk varit
from one to several feet In height and
adorned all It's length with rich gree
leaves surmountCd with a rosstte 4,
loosely arranged brilliant carmine bract
about the same size as the leaves. SUI