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stux weekender november 25 1995 p 11 is can a spectacular plant for your windowsill garden is the amaryllis the correct botani cal name is hippeastrum the bulbs from which these plants grow- are readily obtainable from october through december they are often promoted as christmas plants but i prefer to start them in december so theyll bloom in january after the decorations are packed away there are three classifica tions 1 large flowered 20 to 30 inches tall arid blooms sixto seven inches across 2 small flowered gracillis 12 to 18 inches tall and blooms twotothree inches across 3 double flowered about 18 inches tall with large double flowers usually the flower stalk is produced first and then the leaves follow each stalk pro- duces twotbfour blooms the- number of flower stalks depends on the size of the bulb a threeyearold bulb the size sold in kits that include pot arid soil will pro duce one or occasionally two flower stalks but a larger bulb sold separately you supply pot and soil is a much better lets get growing marforie mason hogue choice it will have a mini mum of two usually three stems of bloom resulting in 12 flowers from one bulbchoose a pot i prefer clay because its weight is a better anchor for the top heavy plant that is just slightly wider in diameter than the bulb and deep enough to spread the roots if jthe roots appear dry and shrivelled soak them arid the base of the bulb overnight in a saucer of warm water using a good potting soil position the bulb so its roots are spread and its neck is well above the soil level water thoroughly with luke warm water arid place in a warm location do riot water again until a green shoot appears some varieties take longer than others to break dormancy v begin watering thoroughly- when the soil feels dry to the touch place in a sunny loca tion away from heat vents where nights are cool the flower stalk grows quickly making this plant an excellent gift for children and shutins it should be turned daily so the stalk will remain straight when each flower stalk has finished blooming cut it off cleanly at the base when the leaves begin to grow give regular applica tions of a 202020 fertilizer according to package i instruc tions when flowering is fin ished grow it as a houseplant until september theri stop watering and allow the leaves to turn browncut them off arid put the pot in acool dark place after a threemonth rest repot the bulb and start the cycleagain this weeks question is from anne sayoie of stouffville who is renovating a 20yearold garden she wonders how to mix annuals with perennials until the latter grow to their mature size the annuals that are regu larly offered for sale such as petunias simply proclaim tm ah annual filling a space instead use unusual annuals obtainable at specialty nurseries or grow them yourself from seed plant them as you do perennials in groups or drifts of three or more here are a few of my favorites tall plants for background cleome verbena bonariensis nico- tiana sylvestris for the middle of thie border ageratum blue horizon any salvia horminum farinacea or coccinea cosmos sonata for the front of the border nierembergia dahlberg daisy or ver bena imagination you may send questions or com ments to v lets get growing co the tribune 88 brock strw uxbridge orit l9p 1r4 attn marjorie mason hogue wi carpet gleaning steamatic mil ittnmc crnhnwa finally dean catpswih no haish chemicals or shampoo stays cleaner longer soil and stains removed deep to the fibrebase r gentle ho scrubbing or pile distortion free dupont teflon application patented controlled heat v process kills 96 of bacteria truck mounted- over 20 years experience newmarket 9058952456 call for a free estimate today 4162832576 money back guarantee we think even would be floored by our new idea at kennedy flooring and decorating we have trained professional designers who take the guesswork out of choosing the right carpeting or flooring to suit your natural living space call us now for a free inhome consultation and well make sure that your floors are corered for the holidays making your living space livable i kennedy flooring and decorating to bring our showroom to you call 4169698022