norfolk island holidays

• Festive Foliage

One of my favourites, Amaryllis (Hippeastrum), shows up at this time of year, and is a no-fail plant perfect for a winter windowsill. These large tropical bulbs, usually supplied from Dutch hybridizers, come in a variety of flamboyant flower forms and colours. You can jump-start them from a dormant state by soaking the bare bulbs overnight in luke-warm water, then potting up, leaving the top third of the bulb exposed, or buy them in already in bloom. In either case, amaryllis can be kept growing for years to come. As the bulbs get bigger and multiply, repotting to a slightly larger pot will be necessary. Place them in a semi-shaded spot in the garden for the summer. A dry, dormant period of about 12 weeks each autumn will give the bulbs a rest and stimulate a new flush of flowers. No d...

.... A potted Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is another Ch...For the holidays, you can decorate it with some lightweight bows or...

• Winnipeg Free Press
• August 21, 2009