Dish gardens: plant one for a friend—or treat yourself

Sunset, Dec, 2002 by Ann E. Ellingson

* PROPAGATE HOUSEPLANTS. It's easy to start new plants by propagating them from existing parents. For ivy, snip tip cuttings from the parent plant, dip cut ends in rooting hormone, and place them in moist potting soil. For pothos, snip off elongated stems and immerse cut ends in water until roots form, then transplant to potting soil. For spider plant, snip off runners, dip cut ends in rooting hormone, and place them in potting soil.

* TRIM A TREE FOR WILD BIRDS. Decorate a small conifer or other evergreen tree with garlands of unsalted popcorn and cranberries and grapes strung on heavy-duty thread.

BACK TO BASICS

Keep cut trees fresh longer. Warm, dry houses are hard on cut Christmas trees. The longer they're indoors, the quicker their needles turn brittle. Slow down the process by following these guidelines.

1. Cut an inch off the bottom of the trunk, then store the tree outdoors in a bucket of water until you're ready to decorate it.

2. Spray the foliage with an antitranspirant (available at nurseries). Add ornaments of oranges and grapefruits sliced into wedges, dried corn on the cob, and pinecones slathered with a mix of 1/2 cup peanut butter and 2 1/2 cups cornmeal or oatmeal. Tie ornaments to the tree with heavy-duty thread.

--Marcia Tatroe

3. Before bringing the tree indoors, cut another inch or more off the trunk and place it in a water-filled stand; refill as needed.

--L. B. S.