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t umunwnsm green and growin holiday plants do double duty oot j economist slwjrlfetfljm elaine gordon correspondent holiday plants with their showy flowers andor interesting fruits are a joy to give and a pleasure to receive arent they theyre great for those with hur- ryupitis who want to refresh in teriors instantly too some of these colorful decora tions are to be enjoyed tem porarily others can become per manent decorative accents try not to purchase them too far ahead of time and to maximize your- enjoyment choose those which are brimming with buds showing color over those in full flower the poinsettia harbinger of christmas is a perfect example of a plant that is dressed-to-the- nines massing several small oneson a raised platform in a basket can give that comeohin feeling to a room and to savor the loveliness of a large one just place in a low position on the floor or suspend in the air the art of entertaining published in 1927 and written by jean walden contains a plethora of delightful thoughts one christmas idea for example was to- submerge one stemless large red poinsettia flower in water inside a pale green glass or crystal bowl place tall red candles at either end of the cen trepiece for added flourish the christmas cactus is a hasslefree houseplant that can be kept contented in rooms we are comfortable in with proper care it can achieve quite a size over the years and the drooping flowers at the tips of pendulous stems are a cinch to add sparkle anywhere but newlyformed buds may drop if the light direc tion is changed and even a quarterturn of the pot can result in some bud loss this houseplant contrary to its name is a succulent and not a cactus keep the soil evenly moist bur not wet and dont allow it to totally dry but insects rarely bug this one keeping both varieties in tip top shape isnt difficult just pro vide bright light and let them bask in as much winter sun as possible remove any foil wrapp- ing around the pot to allow for proper drainage all gift plants will languish in stuffy overheated rooms or near drafts and heat sources so try to give them a cool room at least in the evening if you place them on a windowsill make sure there is cafes corner kate gilderdale guilt trips are no pleasure cruises if theres one emotion id like to see eliminated its guilt i i dont mean the essential kind which stops people doing nasty things to each other and without which wed have anarchy i mean the kind which wakes you up at 3 am and reminds you that you still havent written your mother- inlaw because i never do things until im driven to im absolutely loaded down with guilt for a long time i felt guilty because i hadnt been to the dentist regularly this guilt became a millstone once i had children because i knew id have to take them and the game would be up it wasnt even fear of pain it was the em barrassment of having left it so long luckily i found a dentist who was kind and understanding and who didnt have a fantastically efficient margaret thatchertype hygeniest with teeth like the osmonds demanding to know why i hadnt been flossing regularly now i almost look forward to my sixmonth checkup as long as i dont forget all about as i did in the summer when i was far away in england the dentists office phoned to reschedule but i was away again and then because i felt guilty i didnt phone back for ages eventually the guilt of not go ing regularly overcame the guilt of missing the appointment and i made the call now im relaxed im always reading articles about how regular medical checkups are an essential part of staying healthy and i know theyre right somehow though i cant bring myself to make an appointment unless im at deaths door and even then the sight of a doctor is usually enough to make my symptoms disapper completely then i feel guilty forwasting his time christmas is just one big guilt trip for me i always send my cards out late and have just heave a huge sigh of relief at a job finally done when i find my mailbox piled high with cards from people i forgot then i either rusharound look ing for more cards to send them knowing they wont arrive until about jan 12 or live with the guilt of not reciprocating in fact the whole of december is a nightmare of guilt i never get my shopping done on time and theres always someone i didnt buy for who gives me something just as im learning to live with myself again in come the credit card bills with all those last minute extras id forgotten about which assume a nasty significance once the season to be jolly is over its surprising how fast christmas and new year celebrations give way to the gloom and doom of april 30 the only reason imnot mak ing any new years resolutions for 1990 is that i just cant handle elbow room so foliage isnt touching cold glass panes and if house temperatures drop five degrees at night so much the better the plants will benefit and youll save money on the heating bill happy holidays and happy gardening tit i m 111 boxing day 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