From VOA Learning English, this is Health and Lifestyle notice.
During the winter holiday season, a few plants are often the stars of the show. So, depending on where in the world you live, you might see them at this time of year.
poinsettia
The most common holiday plant is probably the poinsettia. The plant is native to countries in Central and South America. Even if they don’t grow in your area, you can see them in holiday movies and television shows from the US.
With their bright red leaves, they add color to any holiday. decorations. Many people buy them for the holidays, but then throw them away. But you can actually keep them a little longer.
When you first bring them home, try to protect the plants from the cold weather. If you live in a cold climate, consider warming up the car before moving. When they come home, you should keep them away from cold door sills or windows. Place them where daytime temperatures are between 18-23 degrees Celsius.
Water the entire container when the surface is dry. But the plant itself should never sit in water. Make sure water can come out from the bottom.
paper whites
The paper-white plant is from the daffodil family. This bulbs paper whites are usually kept at low temperatures. So they can be planted in cold weather and flower in a month to six weeks. The flowers have an extremely sweet scent. And some people may not like it.
You can grow these bulbs by placing them in a small amount of water, but it’s best to plant them in a pot. shallow earthen pot. They don’t need much water and like plenty of light.
christmas trees
Small pine trees are often used as Christmas trees. Most people use cut trees after the holidays and turn them into sawdust.
Some Americans like to buy a live tree to plant after the holidays. If you want to do this, be sure to water the tree regularly and pay attention to the lights and lights. ornamental items.
amaryllis
The Amaryllis plant is the easiest to grow and the most showy to see. They produce the largest flowers you are likely to grow.
They are usually sold in containers and with soil. All you have to do is plant so that one-third of the top of the bulb is above the soil line.
Let the plant grow throughout the summer. Then put yours in a cool dark place so it goes asleep. Then remove it again for it to bloom for the next holiday season.
christmas cactus
A Christmas cactus is another wonderful plant that blooms during the mid-winter holidays. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, you can call it by its scientific name, Schlumbergera.
Cacti bloom every year, if exposed They live for many years, shortening the days. Some families pass them on from one generation to the next. It is also common for families to uproot and share the plant.
Christmas cacti do best in bright light. When blooming, the cactus should be watered only when the soil is dry. Too much water and the flowers will fall. This is one of those times when very dry is better than very wet.
During the rest of the year, add water only when the surface soil is dry. Next fall, provide natural light and keep it cool – against a window, for example. It will bloom again.
Celebrate the holidays or not, these plants can be a colorful addition to your home in cold weather.
And this Health and Lifestyle report.
I am Anna Matteo.
Jeff Lowenfels contributes gardening stories to the Associated Press. Anna Matteo adapted her story for VOA Learning English.
Quiz – Five Common ‘Holiday’ Plants and How to Care for them
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Words in This Story
decorate make something beautiful more attractive by adding: decoration – n.
bulb – n. underground resting stage of a plant (such as an onion or tulip) consisting of a short stem base bearing one or more buds surrounded by overlapping leaves
shallow – adj. have little depth
shush – n. something that adds beauty
asleep – adj. used in, relating to, or during a period when activity or growth is absent or substantially reduced
exposed – adj. protected or not protected
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