October 9, 2009Keeping fall as long as you can
It’s not that we don’t “get” fall color in Southern California, it’s that we rarely plant the plants that provide it. Our bad. Too many tropicals.
But if you spot something that you love and want to keep it for as long as you can, here’s how from About.com:
Cut branches and immediately immerse the stems in a bucket of warm water. Let stand for 2 hours, away from sunlight.
Combine 1 part glycerin (from drug stores) to 2 parts water in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and let simmer for 5 - 10 minutes. Allow solution to cool completely.
Remove the stems from the bucket of water and smash the stem ends lightly with a hammer, so there is more surface area for soaking up the solution.
Place the branches into the solution. Store out of direct sunlight and away from heat until small beads of dew form on the leaves. This means the leaves have absorbed all they can.
Remove the branches and wipe off the leaves. Hang branches upside down to dry.
whatever
Christian Science Monitor—Residents of Galveston Texas get thousands of volunteer plants washed ashore from hurricane Ike.
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