Gardening with Allen: Festive flowers add holiday cheer

Although most potted flowers, including poinsettias, will slowly deteriorate if they do not get some light, most plants will survive for several weeks with typical indoor lighting conditions. They will do better if given some direct sunlight at least part of the time.

The main thing that determines plant longevity is proper watering. The rule of thumb is to let the top of the soil become dry before watering and then apply enough water so that a little runs out the drain holes. I like to feel the soil with my finger almost every day for every plant. I water plants individually rather than watering everything at once.

Most plants will tolerate a little overwatering, but if the soil is constantly wet, roots will start to deteriorate from lack of air supply. If most of the roots die, then the top begins to die.

Needle evergreen branches and shrubs and trees with red berries are very good for indoor holiday decorating. Evergreens add wonderful, natural smells. Besides using the lower branches from the Christmas tree, almost everyone has some evergreen shrubs and trees that could spare some branches for decoration. Does your evergreen tree have a few branches that are dragging on the ground?

Most junipers could use some shaping. The best way to shorten an extra long branch is to cut it well inside other branches so the stub does not show. Do you or a friend or neighbor have shrubs such as pyracantha, cotoneaster and heavenly bamboo, which produce red berries? Clusters or ropes of evergreens with some berries make excellent decorations for mantles, shelves and banisters.