P260 CEEFAX 260 Sun 22 Dec 22:53/37 1/4 :. ::. vvvvvvvvvvvvv(((((((((((((((((((((( CEEFAX gardening expert Felicity Bryan Houseplants make lovely presents, but, unfortunately, traditional Christmas flowers — like Cyclamen and azaleas — often die before their buds can open. This is partly because they hate extremes of temperature, an ideal room being 50-55 degrees. Keep them away from hot radiators and spray to improve humidity. Always put them in a good light, but don't keep them on a windowsill at night or they might catch frost. MoreP260 CEEFAX 260 Sun 22 Dec 22:59/27 2/4 :. ::. vvvvvvvvvvvvv(((((((((((((((((((((( CEEFAX gardening expert Felicity Bryan Azaleas tend to dry out in hot rooms. But when watering them do remjmbjr that they rot easily if waterlogged. So only water when the soil gets dry. Cyclamen are also prone to rot. Try to Seep water off their buds and stems and water from below, standing the pot in a bowl of water until thoroughly soaked. Finally, place the pot on a saucer so it can drain more easily. MoreP260 CEEFAX 260 Sun 22 Dec 22:49/47 3/4 :. ::. vvvvvvvvvvvvv(((((((((((((((((((((( CEEFAX gardening expert Felicity Bryan Poinsettieas are fairly easy to look after — but be careful that they don't dry out. To keep your plant for next 9jar, wait till the leaves and red bracts drop off, cutting back branches to four inches. Store the plant in a dry warm place and when the new growth begins, plant in a larger pot with John Inner No 2. After eight weeks give it a liquid feed and then water at regular intervals. Keep it in a good light. MoreP260 CEEFAX 260 Sun 22 Dec 22:55/14 4/4 :. ::. vvvvvvvvvvvvv(((((((((((((((((((((( CEEFAX gardening expert Felicity Bryan TIP OF THE WEEK * To help make your Christmas tree last longer, keep it in a tub of very moist sand. Put it in a cool spot in your room, making sure that any njarbz radiators are switched off. * Cut the top off your Christmas pineapple leaving an inch of flesh. Leave it to dry for a day or two, then plant it in a pot of compost deep enough to cover the flesh. Place near a radiator at around 70 degrees with a Polythene bag on top. Water and watch the new leaves appear. More