VOLUME 12, ISSUE 47 • December 22, 2016

Neil Sperry editor. Gretchen Drew design and circulation.

 
 
 
 

Our Sperry team is wishing for your family a blessed Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah this weekend.

I've prepared a fun, but to-the-points e-gardens this week. I think you'll find it timely and useful. Please take a glance.
• Mistletoe woes;
• Christmas cacti;
• Aftermath of the freeze;
• Gardening over the next several days;
• What to do with your poinsettia.

If you enjoy e-gardens, please share it with a friend. We're a cheap gift, and one they'll probably love.

Photo: Christmas cacti present a rainbow of cheery colors this time of the year.

 
 
 
   

Gardening This Weekend

I'll keep this really short this week. I suspect you have more important things to do than turning the compost. Here are your most timely tasks.

Photo: Tulips and Dutch hyacinths that have been pre-chilling should be planted now.

 
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Cactus from the Rainforest

We normally think of cacti as being native to arid spaces - deserts and such. However, Christmas cacti are from tropical South American jungles. And there's a lot more to learn about them.

Photo: Christmas cacti are in full bloom in area garden centers right now.

 
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What to Do With Your Poinsettia Now

This almost rises to the level of a question of the week. "What can I do with my poinsettia after Christmas?" I have some suggestions.

Photo: Two beautiful poinsettias, but what should you do with them now?

 
 
 
   

Question of the Week: December 22

"Neil, it looks like the cold did a number on a lot of my plants. What can I do to help them recover?"

Photo: This is what I saw when I woke up this past Sunday morning. I realize that only a few of you actually live in McKinney, but most of us faced extreme cold this week.

 
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Mistletoe Myths and Mystique

It's a legend of the season, but it's also a curse to the tree lover. Mistletoe is something you may enjoy over the doorway, but you'll despise it in your shade trees. Let's list the true facts.

Photo: Cedar elm is inundated with clumps of parasitic mistletoe.

 
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And, in closing…

That's it for this shortened Christmas edition of e-gardens. We'll be back with timely stories for the New Gardening Year right here next Thursday.

Until then, Merry Christmas, and
Happy Gardening!

Neil