Evening star., 1950-01-03
POINSETTIAS.

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Many people wonder what to
do with their poinsettias after the
flowers drop in order to preserve
for the future Towering.
have poinsettias now in full
bloom which I have preserved for
80 years and they still do fairly
we'll, although they bloom their
best the End and 3rd years. You
can raise your own plants from
cuttings planted in sand.
Here are some simple sugges-
tions that may help:
1-When the poinsettias have
finished blooming cut off stems to
about 2 feet from the pot.
2-Take the plants to the cellar
and place in a cool but not cold
corner.
3-Lay pots on their sides.
ADO not water the plants
while they are resting, which will
be until about May when the
stems should be
5-Cut down to within two or
three ~eyes" from top of previous
years growth.
6-Save the choicest cuttings
for propagating new plants (see
paragraphs 10 to 90.
Wash root and plant stump
(after carefully knocking out of
pot and removing soil) in a solu-
tion of lysol, teaspoonful to a
gallon of water by emerging for
one minute only.
8-Repot the stumps in good
garden soil, but not over fertilized
at this time. A good mixture Is
one third each of garden soil,
sand and peat moss.
9-Bury the pot to the shoulder
in the garden. a sunny or partially
sunny place preferred: not in the
shade.
1o-From now on water them as
you water the garden with the
hose.
11-Don't disturb them now
until September, when they should
be cut back again to two or three
"eyes" on the growth that took
place since previously cut back.
12-Now let them start growing
again until about a foot high,
then
13-Fertilize on the top of pot
with liquid fertilizer, preferably
COW manure.
IA. Repeat this fertilizer three
times until the buds appear, which
may be about November Is.
Is. Do not leave them out of
doors too long in fall as a hard
chill will affect blooming ability.
Usually October / is a safe date
to bring indoors in the Washing
ton area.
16. From now on (after bring
ing in the house, water copiously
through the budding and flower
ing period. This is especially nee
essary in houses that are over
heated.
II. Be. sure to place the plants
in sunny windows, southern ex-
posure preferred as poinsettias
like all the sunshine they can get
during the blooming period.
Is. Don't be alarmed If the
lower leaves turn yellow and drop
of, which will occur to the stems
which are not exposed to sun
shine, like below the level Of the
window sill if the plants are set
on the door.
10. 70 propagate new plants
make the cuttings about 6 to 8
inches long.
20. Place them In sand so that
two or three "eyes" will be ex-
posed above the sand.
81. Keep the sand moist but
provide good drainage.
%. When the cuttings are well
rooted, which is shown by the
leaf growth, plant them IN the soil
suggested above and care for them
as above described for the old
plant.
X \ \ X
RUG SEAMS?
from Mrs. J.J.W., w. Hyattspille. J
I am bothered with the seams
showing on a 9 by IL Wilton rug.
The cleaner said it was not worn
enough to reseam, but on the
floor in places. the white of the
seam shows in places making the
rug look worn. The background
of the rug is wine with flowers of
very dark blue. gray and black.
Is there anything I can do to
darken the seams so they won't
show the white stitches?