rm FUCHSIAS AND GERANIUMS fait to take ste IF YOU have yet to rescue your fuchsias and geraniums, do so soon; you do not have much time. Both can tolerate the cold, damp weather we have just experi- enced, but the first touch of more than a light dusting of frost will do them in. Many of us reside in areas of the North Shore that are blessed with slightly drier and milder winters. We sometimes manage to leave our geraniums out all winter and have them survive. Chalk it up to luck and don’t count on the phenomenon repeating itself. We may joke about this being the California of Canada, but the Californians still ask us where we keep the igloos. Do not get caught up in the commonly held misconception that suggests this is an appropriate time to take stem cuttings. You will have much more success if you wait until mid-February. I am regularly asked to give ad- . vice on this and other subjects, and just as regularly ignored. Normally, 1 would conclude that the proposed recipient of my at- tempt at sagacity found a more sagacious ‘garden guy’ and took his suggestions instead. Either that or he is a bonehead. This, however, is one of those few occasions (OK, one of the many — so what) when I cannot hold my tongue. Read my lips, DO NOT TAKE . Regis DICTUE 1425 Marine Drive 924-8469 Kitsilano Kerrisdale Burnaby- Coquitlam v RTT IEE PITRE LET ke Lay RECEP TREE ELT OTR North Vancouver Vancouver Warehouse Store 102 S.E. Marine Drive CUTTINGS NOW unless you have a greenhouse. The cuttings you take now are likely to produce thin, weak growth and, as a special bonus, become pest-ridden. The poor substitute for sunlight we will be receiving this winter, combined with the imbalance of relatively high indoor temperatures, will generate this weak growth as the plant stretches toward the light. Even those of you’ with greenhouses should reconsider. You wiil be equally satisfied with the results obtained from cuttings taken in the early spring. The plants you struggle to keep happy over the winter will be only slightly further along than those you started later. If you do not have a greenhouse, ROBERI DOISNEAU North Vancouver Lynn Valley Mall 987-3581 Downtown 327-3447 669-5721 * Floor stack only CTURES & FRAMES acne E AIENREoRPOIc ae: Gifensers A family business C eae to quality for over fac) years. 1168 Robson Street you will surely enjoy more success and, likely less trouble, if you wait until February. Most of the commerctal greenhouses begin in January, and they are trying to produce plants for those foolish peaple who will be suckered into buying them in March and early April. If you are looking to produce some healthy plants to put in the over the garden gate Geoff Tobiasson garden in mid-May, over-winter your plants in a protected area un- til early spring. As for some of the methods you can use to store your plants until cutting time, try one of the follow- ing: If you are lucky enough to have a COOL greenhouse, (55°F to 65°F) and it’s not full of other treasures, the problem is solved; even though I question the use of this valuable space in this wasteful manner. BEAT THE RUSH] CUSTOM FRAMES 2.0) %ooFF| Our entire stock of Nielsen metal frames and our 100 most popular wood mouldings expertly cut and mitred by our craftsman. © Offer applies to frames only glass & mattes at all regular low prices Pictures make the Perfect Gift Everyone knows our regular prices are the lowest in town and now for 3 weeks only you can choose from our entire stock of framed & § unframed pictures & posters and save an additional 10% | West Vancouver 1432 Marine Drive 922-3513 Richmond Centre Lansdowne Mall Richmond Warehwuse Store SANT RASRYS SERDAR ARAL IO SEMIS ONE? PUG Alternatively, a cool (not to the point of freezing) garage or base- ment that is equipped with a large, bright window will do. Keep the plants grouped near but not touching the window; foliage can be damaged if it comes in contact with the freezing glass. Also remember to leave enough space between the plants to allow for proper air circulation. Proper ventilation will reduce the risk of insect and disease problems as well as providing an improved en- vironment for the plant’s survival. Keep the soil barely moist throughout the dormant period. You can begin to apply more water and even fertilizer only after the plants show signs of real growth in the spring. The five factors controlling plant growth (temperature, light, water, nutrients and humidity) are interrelated; therefore, as one or more become unavailable or their supply is reduced, the applied amounts of the others should be reduced as well. Perhaps the easiest method of all is to simply use the insulating qualities of the ground and a blanket of leaves. B- Friday, November 24, CCLULTN TOUCH END ERIORS 1989 ~ North Shore News : LIFESTYLES Bee ceeres.t85 sa First dig a trench 12 to 18 inches deep (depending on the size of the plants you are saving) in a rela- tively dry, well-drained section of the garden. The area around the foundation of the house, under the eaves, will do very nicely. Place a thin layer of dry leaves at the bottom, lay your plants on their sides in the trench and cover the whole works with 14 to 18 in- ches of leaves. Lift the plants in February, to take your cuttings, then put them back until you can safely replant them in late spring. Those of you with balcony gardens and no room for guests over the winter, try setting the plants, pot and all, in a big box on the balcony, under cover. Fill the spaces around the plants with leaves and keep your fingers cross- ed. With a little luck and common sense, you can save yourself money and have fun in the process by propagating your own geraniums and fuchsias. Just don’t set yourself up for disappointing results by starting too early. And sow it grows.