 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Holiday plants will live to bloom another year with proper care, said University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein. Now is the time to start that care.
Plants such as amaryllis and Christmas cactus received as gifts this past Christmas can be forced to re-bloom next holiday season. They truly are “gifts that keeps on giving,” said Trinklein. Start holiday plant care now for blooms next Christmas  COLUMBIA, Mo. – Amaryllis is the perfect last-minute gift for young and old, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “Plants make thoughtful gifts at this time of the year, or simply represent a good way of rewarding yourself for an accomplishment,” he said. Buyers can choose amaryllis that are already bursting in bloom, but Trinklein prefers giving bulbs that bloom in the dreariest part of winter. The bulbs also make a good gift for children as a beginning horticulture project. Most amaryllis today are hybrids developed by the Dutch. They are selected for their huge, showy flowers and forcing ease. Vigorous bulbs can produce up to six perfectly round flowers per flower stalk. The blooms can be 6 to 8 inches in diameter. “Amaryllis are the cure for the winter blues,” Trinklein said. MU research targets Japanese beetles
University of Missouri Extension field crops entomologist Kevin Rice hopes his research on Japanese beetles will take a bite out of their buffet. Japanese beetles cause large economic losses for the agricultural community. Adult beetles typically feed on silks and tassels in corn and foliage on soybean. They also damage the foliage and fruit of more than 400 flower, shrub and tree species. |
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