Quotation of the Week: "A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other." — Author Unknown

Best wishes for a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2006!

Poinsettia Care

Keep those poinsettias looking good for several more weeks by protecting them from sudden temperature changes. They like to live in 65 to 70 degree temperature range. This helps the poinsettia to preserve the bright color of the petal-like bracts. If the temperature drops to about 50 degrees the poinsettia's leaves will drop.

-Water the plant thoroughly so all the soil is saturated and water seeps through the drain hole, but never let your poinsettia sit in water.

-Check it daily and water again when the soil feels dry to the touch.

-Fertilize the poinsettia with Schultz's Plant fertilizer once a month.

-Poinsettias must have at least six hours of bright indirect light each day to be at their best; choose a place away from drafts, radiators or heat registers.

Peggy Morales Green Thumb Garden Pro

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THE ORCHID TREE IS A BLOOMING SUCCESS IN THE SOUTH

The bauhinia family pops up in many places... some come from China, Brazil, tropical Africa and even India calls them natives. While they are more often considered to be a deciduous tree, they can be evergreen in some climates.

With this type of background you can imagine that they do better in warm areas, although the purple orchid tree can easily withstand temperatures down to 22 degrees. The most popular trees in this family are the purple orchid tree and the Hong Kong orchid tree. The orchid tree, which has both purple and white varieties, calls India and China home. It is the most frequently planted tree of the group and if you happen to live where spring is warm and stays that way you'll find this one of the most spectacular trees ever! The flowers are two to three inches wide, ranging from light pink to a near orchid purple. It blooms January through April. Even when the tree is not in bloom it is highly recognizable with its twin leaves. It has moderate water requirements and likes to be planted in a warm area. The Hong Kong orchid tree is native to Southern China and has equally spectacular flowers that resemble some orchids. This flowering variety has an even greater range in colors, from a cranberry maroon, purple, rose and orchid pink. Frequently you will find a full range of colors on the same tree. The red bauhinia is a great spreading plant that makes an excellent espalier. This plant calls South Africa and tropical Africa its home. The flowers are as spectacular as the familiar bougainvillea. The lively blossoms can be as deep in color as brick red or as clear as orange.

Battling Indoor Pests

by Tamara Galbraith During the winter months, when there isn't much to do except stare out the window or peruse seed catalogs, gardeners need to be on the lookout for a couple of tough pests that, once settled in, can be hard to control. Fungus gnats, the near-microscopic flying insects that feed and breed within damp organic matter in potting soil, can actually be a problem any time of year. These tiny flying pests can spread pathogens, chew on roots and be a general nuisance. Fungus gnats' favorite hangout is the fungus existing in moist, organic soil, so the best way to battle these bugs is by letting your houseplants dry in between waterings. However, some overwintering houseplants — like those lovely amaryllis bulbs many of us are forcing during the holidays — like to remain somewhat moist. So...what to do? A good drench of Neem oil through the soil is a good start, and a layer of sand on top of the potting soil works even better. This prevents the fungus gnats from reaching and subsequently laying eggs in the potting soil, but still allows moisture to reach the roots. On the opposite end of the spectrum, spider mites can become a terrible problem for indoor plants when conditions are too dry, which is often the case during cold winter days when most of us are keeping toasty. If you notice a plant's leaves shriveling and dropping, or webbing in between stems and leaves, you've probably got a spider mite problem. Again, Neem oil is an extremely effective solution, and its low toxicity makes it safe to use around the house. The mites can be killed with several sprays of Neem. However, the humidity around the affected plant will need to be addressed to keep mites from returning: Keep plants away from the hot blast of furnace output vents. Spray sensitive indoor plants with water daily if possible. Move all sensitive plants together and run a humidifier near them to keep air moisture levels high.

What You'll Need: 2-1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken 2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced 2 medium carrots, coarsely shredded 2 stalks celery, sliced 1 (10-1/2 oz.) can condensed cream of chicken soup 1 (6-oz.) package long grain and wild rice mix uncooked 5 cups chicken broth 5 cups water Step by Step: In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine cooked chicken, mushrooms, carrots, celery, cream of chicken soup, uncooked rice and the contents of the rice seasoning packet. Gradually stir in chicken broth and 5 cups water. Cover and cook on LOW heat setting for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH heat setting for 3 to 4 hours. Yield: 8-10 servings