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the HERALD Page 18- Community News Wednesday November 20 1991 Town Gardener Christmas cactus a late flowering plant By TOM CA VAN Herald Special Cactus The first thing that comes to mind when I hear the name Christmas cactus is that this plant is improperly named It always flowers during the mon ths of October and November and occasionally comes forth with a second set of flower buds Therefore I think it should be called late fall flowering cactus This easy going cactus is ex tremely longHived Over the years I have heard of huge heirlooms handed down from grandmothers back porch That cool back porch is the reason for success After those colorful blooms fall off you should reduce watering and temperature but still keep it in full sun during the winter mon ths The cooler the better In fact some claim their cactus ap proach freezing well thats too extreme I would recommend C Ft Cactus have shallow roots that work very efficiently Those suc culent stems are storage com partments of food and water which they utlize during the rest period This rest period will take place from January to April in sunlight Once April arrives move your cactus from cool sun to a warmer spot with filtered sun not direct sun After all in their own natural habitat in Brazil they Santa coming to hamlet By BETTY SOJKA Herald Special Great news Santa is coming to the village on Sunday November Despite his busy schedule Santa will be at the Community Centre for the Annual Craft Sale between 2 and Santas helper Elf will also be there to take pic tures of you and Santa Treats are in store for children of all sizes Come see Santa and get your picture taken with him The Craft Sale opens at pm and will be overflowing with ex- hibitors having a wide variety of crafts for sale The kitchen will be serving a delicious hot lun cheon plus freshly baked goodies and coffee tea and pop If you cant make it for lunch then how about dropping in for a Ballinafad News coffee There will be so much to see Your Christmas list will be a handy thing to bring along as well Donations of baked dessertssnacks are to be drop ped off at the bake table on the day of the Craft Sale Proceeds from the bake table go to the Community Centre The Hall Board met at the home of Betty Andrews to finalize the last minute details of the craft sale and to make plans for the New Years Eve Dance Tickets for the dance are per per son and are now on sale at the Ballinafad General Store It is important to note that tickets are being sold on an advance basis only No tickets will be available at the door S and S Sound featur ing Shame and George Adams will be there to get the party roll ing A hot and cold buffet will be served The Hall Board will meet again for a general meeting at the Community Centre on Tues day November 26th After this past weeks municipal elections Ballinafad has Dons representing the village on the Erin Township side and Gastle coming in as a newly elected councillor on the Hills side Congratula tions go out to both of these ladies Proud to be chickens So many students belong to the CHICKEN Club their float overflowed onto the streets of Acton during the Santa Parade Saturday Students made up a large part of the parade not only the CHICKEN float but in floats put In by Robert Little School and Middle School which won an award for best school float Herald photo OFFICE MAGIC FOR AIL YOUR OFFICE j ART STATIONERY NEEDS Vt Clothing ens loots S share the same bed as orchids ferns and These tough epiphytes prefer partially acidic soil Fertilizing with acidic base water soluble food at half strength during ac tive growth will encourage to fill the pot Christmas cactus prefer to be pot bound so transplanting is only necessary every 35 years or simply if the plant becomes too large for its container which ever comes first For good bud set be sure to reduce temperatures in the fall but increase sunlight as the sun intensity lessens in the fall Plac ing it in a cool place in the even ing and bringing it out to a warm sunny spot will encourage better flowering I have been asked if flowering can be delayed for Christmas and the answer comes in manipulation of fall conditions You have to extend summer conditions to accomplish this but my recommendation is if your cactus is doing well pat yourself on the back and leave well enough alone SI GIC RATE 9 flit Subject To Change Without MONEY CONCEPTS 873187 These plants are best pro pagated from 4 cuttings in a rooting medium of 50 per cent sharp sand and per cent ver- miculite After cutting pieces with at least two segments air dry the cuttings out on a piece of newspaper for two to three days before placing them in rooting medium Avoid overwatering especially during blossom time when they require evenly moist conditions to prolong flowering Also when the plant is in bloom bud do not turn the plant when watering like you do with other plants because this will cause bud drop as the blooms face the light source If you have any questions call the Grapevine hot line or write the Town Gardener Erin NOB ITO Ladies Mens Hair Styling HAIR REMOVAL EYELASH TINTING 21 MiHW Acton HALTON HILLS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT It is greatly appreciated MURT ALLISON WARD 2 HYDRO COMMISSION PRESENTS NO GST Plus Look for additional savings every day CHRISTMAS HOURS MONFRI 109 John Jewellers 73 Main St S DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN