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f?if ,\\a; i wi wy.;«-.3*iv:kAtS tK>utt*ie /v; f . PAOE^ * l^Hro^, BiOVEMHRO| ». 1#7J^ Christmas. Color it green. Lush, leafy green. Plants have become an increasingly popular part of household-decorating schemes in recent years, but they're especially in evidence during the holi­ day season when homes are liberally accented with touches of greenery, from stately Christmas-trees to colorful poinsettias. If you're considering sur­ prising a friend or relative with a "living gift" for Christmas, but are puzzled about making the right choice, here are some time­ ly selection-and-care tips from the Eureka Home Care Institute, based on in­ terviews with several rep­ utable plant-care experts. John McDougall of Chi­ cago's Buckingham Green­ house says the traditional poinsettia plant is an excel­ lent gift "because most of the poinsettias coming out now are German hybrids which hold their color for up to seven months -- and when they stop blooming, you can prune them to keep them growing." McDougall also recom­ mends the "Merry Christ­ mas" plant (a variety of the Rex Begonia), aptly named because of its red and green hues. "Give it lots of humidity and good bright light," he says, "but don't spray the leaves with water in the daytime. They're fuzzy and retain ay breenery: water. The reflection of the sunlight will burn them." Regarding seasonal plant care, McDougall offers this tip: during the winter months, when most plants "rest", you can safely cut their monthly food allot­ ment in half since they don't require as much nourishment. Carol Schwartz, owner of Plants in Particular in Washington, D. C., opts for Ming ^urelias because "they look like bonsai plants, but are much easier to care for." She comple­ ments their graceful Ori­ ental shape by potting them in round, clay containers and covering the soil with moss. Ms. Schwartz also likes the unusual birds' nest Made To Be Given or... ... Gfoen To Be Made either way... a Lovely Gifrf "SAFARI SERIES" UfOHAN KITSl * Come In And See Our Finished Samples 100% DU PONT ORLON • Bl-COMPONENT ACRYLIC MACHINE WASHABLE ft DRYABLE •ZEBRA. 30.00 °HFFE 10.00 •TIGER 32.00 •LI0W 32.00 weAthecvAne shop 1313 N, RIVERSIDE DR. McHENRY, ILL OPEN DAILY 10 5 CLOSED SUM. fern for Christmas With its long sword-shaped leaves, the birds' nest looks quite different from other ferns. It's also less fussy than other ferns about light and moisture. Los Angeles' Downstairs Greenery "looks like a poin­ settia farm" at Christmas­ time, according to sales- staff member Lise Einfeld. "We also sell a lot of cro- tons, which are popular at Christmas because their leaves are red and green," she says. The Downstairs Green­ ery does a brisk seasonal business in Norfolk Island pines, which look like Christmas trees yet can be kept ^indoors year-round. "We wrap the pots in col­ ored foil and add bells and ornaments," says Ms. Ein­ feld. "Anyone who already owns a Norfolk pine could do their own decorating and make a little Christmas tree out of it." Ranging in size from 12 inches up to 6 feet, th£se trees are easy to care for, and need water only every ten days to two weeks. While the proper amount of water, light, food and humidity will determine the state of a plant's health, it's also important to clean plants on a regular basis, say Eureka experts. Small plants and those with fragile foliage should be wiped clean and polish­ ed regularly with a damp, non-abrasive cloth. Large plants with broad, sturdy leaves -- such as rubber plants, corn plants, Dragon Trees, Schefflera and all types of the broadleaf phil- odendron - can be thor­ oughly cleaned by vacuum­ ing them once or twice a month. Vacuuming not on­ ly adds luster and removes dust particles that can choke plant pores, it's also an excellent preventive measure for warding against foliage disease caused by insects. Eureka experts recom­ mend using the dusting brush attachment of a Pow­ er Team or canister vacuum which has both speed and suction adjustments. Set the vacuum for low speed and gentle suction. Since insects ofteh lodge themselves in hard-to-reach crevices of plant lekVes, the gentle suc­ tion of a vacuum cleaner is an effective way of draw ing them out without dam­ aging the plant. Gentle vacuuming action is also an effective way to remove the dust which col­ lects on top of the foliage of some dense, hanging plants such as the English or Swedish Ivy. unique holiday decorations Outdoor Christmas dec­ orations need not be limited to a string of lights. Inter­ esting holiday decorations can be made from such di­ verse materials as plastic spoons and tin cans, for instance. Interesting metal sculp­ ture can begin with the humble tin or aluminum can. Using metal cutters, carefully cut and/or twist strips of tin from any-size empty can and fashion the pieces into stars and snow- flakes. The bottom of the can may serve as the center of a snowflake or sun de­ sign with strips from the can radiating around it. (The strips should not be detached from the base.) Spray paint the metal sculpture, mount it on a wall or hang it from an out­ side tree. Take care at all times not to injure yourself on sharp edges of the cut metal. Colorful plastic spoons can be arranged in rosettes and hung on outdoor trees, too. Arrange five plastic spoons to form an alternat­ ing star pattern of a handle and a bowl. The spoons should all cross at about the same point about 2/3rds of the way down the han­ dle. Drill a hole at the point - where they meet and secure the handles with a nut and a bolt. Drill another very small hole in the handle of one of the spoons and insert a wire through it. Hang the spoon stars or rosettes on an outdoor tree, where they will reflect the light from your outdoor Christ­ mas lights. There is something in the very season of the year that gives a charm to the festivity of Christmas. -- Washington Irving TRAVEL by 8 REINDEER? No, Not Really BUT A TRAVEL GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR CHRISTMAS! £5^? f?r tho8e tard to ^ tor loved ones on your a towtrd tny cruise, tour, Airline, AMTRAK. Trip will be cherished and remembered for-ever. 385-7500 CHAIN 0 LAKES £ 3465 % Elm St McHenry