Monthly Archives: November 2012

Mistletoe

The ancient Druids believed mistletoe had miraculous healing powers. It was placed over doorways to ward-​​off evil and to bestow health, happiness, and luck. The custom of embraces and kisses at doorways co-​​evolved with the hanging of doorway mistletoe. Mistletoe has long been used as a medicinal herb but also has some very toxic components so always keep it out of reach of young children.

Mistletoe is also a parasitic plant that can damage forest evergreens. Mistletoe that grows in the Rocky Mountain forests has no need for chlorophyll as it is totally parasitic and has a yellowish cast.  It is generally viewed as a pest on evergreens.

CHRISTMAS HOUSE

GFWC Women’s Civic League of Cheyenne presents Cheyenne’s 44^th Annual Christmas House. Friday, November 30, 2012 from 9 AM – 7 PM and Saturday, December 1, 2012 from 9 AM – 5 PM.

Christmas cactus care

The biggest mistake people make in growing Christmas cacti is treating them like a desert cactus. Instead treat them like a houseplant, with regular waterings. After they bloom, treat water less frequently watering until summer, when you go back to treating it like a houseplant. Also they don’t like direct sun. Instead find a bright spot away from direct sun. Also this is one plant that is quite comfortable being pot-​​bound for years. Regular fertilization is also helpful but be mindful that they are slow growers.

If your Christmas cactus has trouble blooming, you can help trigger blooms by doing one of the following: 1) Try setting it in your coolest room or near a cool window. This cool treatment will often trigger blooms. 2) Set your Christmas cactus in a room where you never turn on the lights at night– perhaps a guest room? Uninterrupted periods of darkness this time of year will often encourage blooms.