LIFESTYLES TRY THE FLAMINGO FLOWER Take the humdrum out of Xmas flowers TIRED OF the same old collection of flowering plants being * offered in the plant stores for Christmas? I mean. poinsettias are nice, but when it gets to the point where you can’t seem to avoid them no mat- ter where you look, what’s the point? The flowers of the Christmas cactus never last long enough. The’ growers try to produce plants which will peak in early December, thereby assuring themselves a sold-out crop well before Christmas. Then we have the usual array of azaleas, cyclamens, mums, and other members of this lovely-but- .humdrum group. Their flowers are all welcome sights during the dim days of winter, but wouldn’t it be nice to see something a little dif- ferent? (Don’t you just love these big build ups?) Sometimes called by the com- mon name of Flamingo Flower or the Pigtail plant, the anthurium could be just what this world of jaded tastes was in need of. When not in flower, this plant appears to be a rather innocuous cousin to the aspidistras (Cast Iron Plant), aglaonemas, (Chinese Evergreens) or philodendrons. In fact it is; all of these piants belong to the aroid family or araceae. The dark green foliage of a.andraeanum appears as hand- somely lustrous, heart-shaped leaves, while that of a.scherzeranum are lance-like. These are the two most commonly grown flowering forms. If they happen to catch your attention as foliage plants, you will not be disappointed, nor will you be over- ly impressed. Bring it into bloom, however, and you will soon see why it is worthy of more attention. I sup- pose I should describe the ‘flower’ in order to satisfy the sticklers out there who are just waiting for me to slip up. The gorgeous red spathe that fulfills the role of flower so weil is not truly part of the flower. It is actually a modified leaf that acts as 2 protective wrapper for the flower spike or spadix in the bud stage. Then, during the flowering stage, it acts as a flagrant atten- tion-getter and landing platform for whatever insect happens to come along. Petal or spathe, flower spike or spadix, who really cares. As long as the job gets done and we have something attractive to look at. HOLIDAY LIGHTS Save energy this Christmas OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS lights are a highly visible part of holiday festivities for many homes. Around eaves and windows or decorating trees outside, they reflect the spirit of the season and greet guests and friends. If you are replacing light strings or adding new ones, choose the new five-watt Christmas light str- ings now on sale and join BC Hydro in being Power Smart. Each a wr alege ON so fea an! » string of energy-efficient five-watt bulbs uses 50 watts less electricity than the standard seven-watt ones. If everyone in B.C. saved 50 watts per string, we could help to ease the seasonal demand on our electrical resources. Another way to reduce electrici- ty consumed by Christmas lights is to turn them off at bedtime, or use timers to turn them off at set times. Twinkling or flashing lights Although not assured of offer- ing its flashing red display every over the garden gate Geoff Tobiasson eee Christmas, chances are better than average. Its habit of flowering at different times throughout the year combined with the long lasting nature of the flower should result in some color on the plant at least 60 per cent of the time. Of course, that assumes you have the knack needed to bring it into bloom. Although not a par- use fess electricity, since they are off part of the time. Remember to check the condi- tion of your outdoor strings and replace any that have damaged cords, Use only ones designed for outdoor use. Call your local BC Hydro office to request the information sheet Outdoor Christmas Lighting for more information about being Power Smart in your home. LAST MINUTE “Your Backyard Birdfeeding Specialist” BOOKS « TAPES ¢ VIDEOS FEEDERS & HOUSES OVER 40 DIFFERENT MODELS SUET & SUET CAGES A Joyous Christmas fo all Our New Friends ~ Feathered & Otherwise John & Wendy Morton Wild Birds Unlimited’ 3879 OAK ST. (at 23rd) 736-2676 Gifts for Nature Lovers ticularly difficult plain to grow, (in fact, it is almost foolproof), it will require a little more than its sur- vival needs to encourage it to flower. As with most houseplants, the chlorine (and God knows what else) found in our tap water is not well received. To eliminate this problem, fill your watering can the night before you water. This will allow most of the chlorine (and maybe some of God knows what else) to evaporate before you apply it to your plants. It will tolerate light conditions that range from full sun to all but complete shade, but to flower it should be given some bright, filtered sun. Surviving minor drought as well as some over- watering, an evenly moist soil that is neither wet nor dry is best. Soils should be light and very porous, similar to those used to grow orchids. If you are unable to find a pre- bagged orchid mixture, try two parts fine fir bark and one part coarse peat moss. Sterilize any home-made mixes with ingredients brought ir from outdoors. One half hour in an oven preheated to ida: December 22, 1989 - North Shore News 300"r snould do the trick. Best results are achieved with regular applications of a balanced liquid fertilizer. Try something like a 10-15-10 (NPK) delivered at half the recommended strength every three to four weeks. : Although humidity is important, you do not need the clammy en- vironment found in a greenhouse to get good results. Just keeping the plant away from direct sources of heat is usually enough. if your house is particularly dry, try placing the pot on top of a large tray filled with small stones. When you add sufficient water to cover the stones, the evaporating moisture will humidify the area around the plant while the stones keep the plant’s roots out of the water. Temperature can be critical; the optimum zone lies somewhere be- tween 70°F and 80°F. This plant has no desire to be cool; avoid drafts, cold window sills and any temperature below 56°F. So, if you like a warm house and houseplants which are a little more unusual, try an anthurium. With a little TLC you will be well reward- ed, and sow it grows.