GARDEN FANATIC: Caring for holiday plants in Laguna

“Bluebird Canyon will rise again.” “” seen on a T-shirt in Mulege, BCS

“Call a truce... We are richer by one’s celebration of Christmas.” “” with apologies to Rudyard Kipling

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The holiday season in Laguna continues with the reopening of Flamingo Road Saturday, while Jim and John are hoping for an early Christmas present from the Design Review Board. Bob Burnham, the tireless czar of the Bluebird Canyon, is completing reforestation plans for the canyon and David and Curt celebrated Marek’s birthday.

Meanwhile, Catharine and I are hopeful that Eve will gift us with her delicious peanut brittle on Saturday and that Mary Kate remembers we enjoy nice wine.

Whether or not Christmas is in your plans, holiday plants may be in your future. Their care is easy; just follow a few simple steps.

Place the plant in a well-lit window and free from sudden temperature changes (avoid wood-burning fireplaces). Keep the soil moist, but don’t let water stand in the plant’s saucer or foil.

Gradual leaf drop is an indication of not enough light; crinkling, yellowing leaves may mean too much heat or lack of water, and rapid leaf drop shows exposure to cold or standing water in the saucer.

The splendid and ubiquitous poinsettia has become as popular here as in Loreto, Mexico. The Noche Buena holds emotional and religious significance for our southern neighbor and some Mexicans are still irritated that former Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, decided to name the plant after himself.

Your poinsettia will eventually occupy too much space to be a permanent indoor plant. However, if you follow care instructions from above, they should retain their red, pink or yellow color indoors, well into spring. Once outdoors, grow them in a sunny garden locale with lots of space.

The azalea is a popular year-round gift plant and is also a valuable addition to the garden. Available in white, pink, red, salmon, purple and in combination colors, these profuse bloomers are hybridized as either shade or sun varieties. It’s a must to grow azaleas in an acid soil that retains moisture and drains quickly. Your favorite nursery can provide you with an azalea/camellia planting mix “” nine parts to one part garden soil for an optimal planting medium.

Christmas Cactus (Zygocactus truncatus) is a lovely hanging plant from Brazil. Not a true cactus, this one needs more water and is a favorite houseplant. The pink, red or white flowers are very showy and its blooming schedule will let you know that next year, Christmas is approaching.

Living Christmas trees are generally pines or other evergreens shaped in the traditional conical manner. Planted in a container and pruned regularly, these trees can be “recycled” for a number of years before planted in one’s garden or donated to selected municipalities (but not Laguna) or schools. They will not grow indoors (even if you leave the windows open) and should be moved outdoors before the year is over.

The sun is shining, but the mornings feel more like Sun Valley, Idaho. Yet, the orange and palm trees continue to sway (sorry about that Caren).” Is this the best place to live or what (please rebuild, Lewie and Kay). Best wishes for a great holiday, and see you next time.

STEVE KAWARATANI is married to award-winning writer Catharine Cooper and has one cat and five dogs. He can be reached at (949) 497-8168, or e-mail to plantman2@mac.com.