Measure twice, cut once

The turkey or tofurkey is nearly gone, so Linn County Master Gardener, Claire Smith, is moving on to the next holiday, with help for finding Christmas trees and poinsettas:

‘Tis the season to measure twice and cut once. That's what a friend always aspired to do.    While sounding like a “duh!” statement, know your ceiling height before you strike out to purchase a live holiday tree.  Yes, I actually know someone who sawed off the bottom and the top of their first holiday tree to get it to fit in the living room!  Also, measure the diameter of your tree stand and choose a tree with a straight trunk to accommodate it's fitting in the stand correctly.

                If you're buying from a commercial lot, determine freshness by a few simple tests.  Gently rub your hand over a branch.   Fresh needles will be pliable; dry ones are brittle.  Lightly bounce the butt of the tree on the ground.  Heavy needle drop indicates a dry tree.  Trees cut and purchased at a cut-your-own tree farm are obviously fresh.  A list of tree farms in your area is available at the Iowa Christmas Tree Growers Association web site.  

                Store the tree with the butt of the tree in a bucket of water in a cool, sheltered location.  Before you bring the tree in the house, saw one inch of wood at the bottom of the trunk to facilitate water uptake. After you've secured the tree in the stand, fill the reservoir with water.  Check the water supply at least twice each day and water as needed.  Promptly remove the tree when it begins to dry out and drop needles.  Not only is a dry tree a fire hazard, but it's no fun picking needles out of the carpet until July.

                The perfect Poinsettia should look healthy with a full complement of dark green leaves free of brown edges.  The bracts should be fully colored and not damaged.  Check the true flowers at the center of the bracts.  They should be greenish-yellow and sometimes have pollen.  Be sure the plant is wrapped thoroughly to carry it home to prevent injury from the cold temperatures.  Ideal temperatures are 60-70 degrees in a bright, well-lit location, away from drafts during the day and 55-60 degrees at night.  Water your plant thoroughly when the surface soil dries out, but pour excess water out of the saucer.  Do not fertilize now.  Poinsettias are available in pink, white, peach, plum, yellow, cranberry, marbled, spotted and sometimes are even dyed blue!  They'll fit into any Holiday color scheme you've planned so enjoy!