Houseplant no-no

Linn County Master Gardener, Claire Smith, offers insight into the care of houseplants and some remaining outdoor gardening chores:              

   Folks asked a variety of good questions on a radio program I listened to the other day.  One question was about watering house plants with soft water.  That's a no-no.  Softened water has salt; a lot of salt and salt is not good at all for plants.  If you notice a white filmy substance on the leaves and soil, drench the plant thoroughly to dilute and wash away that residue.       

                A great method to provide humidity for your plants is to add a tray of pebbles under a plant's pot, measuring about 2-3 times the size of the pot.  Pour water over the pebbles and create a sight interest as well as generating moisture through evaporation.

                Strawberries should be covered with about six inches of straw as soon as we're certain the ground has frozen.  Unfrozen soil and a warm blanket of straw may cause sprouting, so be patient, but do cover the bed adequately when the time is right.

                Roses are dormant now and should be put to bed, too.  Tie the branches together to prevent the canes  from being whipped by the wind.  Don't prune, just tie with twine.  Remove the mulch from the plant and mound about a foot of soil around the base.  Next spring remove that soil and recycle it into a garden.  Add one to two feet of clean, weed-free straw surrounded by a two foot high chicken wire fence.  Whole oak leaves can be used in place of straw because they don't mat down as will other species' leaves.   

               Generally speaking, now is not a good time to fertilize plants.  Both you and your plants should relax and enjoy the holiday season. 

                Speaking of the holidays, do you need the ideal gift for the friend who has everything?  Give a holiday decorated Norfolk Island pine tree.  Use light weight ornaments and wrap the pot in bright colored foil.  (Save your lights for a different arrangement.)  The dark green leaves are feathery and graceful.  If kept with proper humidity in the winter, the tree can be allowed to dry between watering. It prefers bright but indirect light and cooler temperatures in the winter.  Fertilize only once a year to restrict growth.  Next spring, your friend can enjoy the tree outdoors in a protected spot on the porch.