Ringing in the new year
Ready or not, another new year is upon us. The optimistic look forward to a new year, the pessimistic do not.
The younger we are the more dedicated we are to celebrate this yearly change. I am not sure if this is to blot out the old year or just firing up to meet the demands of the new one.
The older accept the new with the wisdom gained from many years of sliding out of the old and into the new. Time waits for no man.
The actual history of a new calendar year, and why, is interesting. A kind of early age power play scenario by ancient rulers. Computer research will refresh your memory, interesting stuff but too wordy for here.
People who just cannot decided what their New Year’s resolution list will be should just keep it simple. One of the simplest rules I know is – Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
The Ten Commandments are another simple, to the point, collection of wise rules.
You notice I am not actually quoting here, just offering suggestions that work for me. Your choice of a resolution may be something entirely different as you make your list.
Some notes on a simple, easy and beautiful flowering plant for this time of year – the amaryllis.
This plant ranges in price from $5 to $20 and will be beautiful at any price. It is, however, more fun at the lower price and you do not have to be any kind of experienced gardener to plant or grow it.
The higher price gets you a lovely bulb in a beautiful china container. The lower price range, you get the same beautiful flower bulb, bare, along with soil and a nice plastic pot. You can easily put all of this together and have the fun of watching a big, fat, bare bulb grow a 2 or 3-foot strong stem, ending in one or more gorgeous flowers.
A picture of the flower will be shown on the box. My personal favorite is called apple blossom. I really never turn down the several shades of red when the price is right. I have a backload of bulbs from over the years and I have some of them outside in the garden soil. The others I winter over in the shade until next fall. More about that another time.
The directions on the box are simple and clear. The bulb may have some green at the top that does not look too healthy, no problem as soon as it gets into the damp soil everything will straighten up and grow well.
Planting the new bulb, just make sure you do not cover the bare bulb all over. The bulb forever needs to grow with only half of the bulb covered. One problem with potting up is the directions tell you what to do with soil and water and then says make sure the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot are open. You ned to turn the pot up and open the drainage holes before putting in the damp soil, not after the soil is in the pot. You will need to place the pot on a saucer so you can catch the draining water. I keep a supply of old saucers from the second hand store for that.
Keep the planted bulb out of the sun; flowers will fade faster. When it leans toward the sun, give it a turn or two every couple of days. You will need to stake up the tall stem because the flowers will be big and heavy. Just use a bread tie tight enough to hold the stem to the stake, about half way up the stem. It is amazing how fast the stem will grow, so watch it.
These plants make lovely hostess gifts, or door prizes, box and all. Enjoy!
Remember, not everyone is able to have a fun, noisy celebration. A quiet, no nonsense observation is perfectly fine.
Have a safe and happy New Year.
H.I. Jean Shields is past president of the Garden Club of Cape Coral.