GARDEN FANATIC:Give plants -- the gifts that keep on living

“From a commercial point of view, if Christmas did not exist, it would be necessary to invent it.”

“So stick up ivy and the bays, and then restore the heathen ways … “

The Thanksgiving turkey had barely begun to digest for most of us, but the opening salvo of our truest commercial holiday had already been proclaimed through various media venues: “SALE BEGINS @ 6 A.M. TOMORROW!”

And can you believe it? Shoppers were actually queuing up early to be at the front of the line. I even saw a few of you, hiding behind your Revo sunglasses.

One can hardy blame the retailers if they view the season with dollar signs rather than Yuletide spirit. So much is at stake for everyone; including gardeners … no one wants to give an unwanted gift to a friend or loved one.

That’s why I recommend giving plants as presents — you know, the gift that keeps on living. Or something like that...

Since you are planning for the holidays, your questions for the Plant Man included:

Q. I know roses should be pruned soon. What kind of clippers should I buy for myself?

A. I highly recommend the Felco family of hand pruners; they are “simply the best pruners in the world.”

The original design of the Felco 2 has remained unchanged for 40 years. For smaller hands, I recommend the Felco 6.

Q. I want to make spraying “remedies” easier for my wife. What garden sprayer do you recommend?

A. The professional-quality Gilmour sprayer mixes chemicals automatically while you spray — the easiest way to spray and the end to wasted chemicals. It’s so foolproof, you might even assist your wife with some of the work.

Q. Are the pink and white poinsettias more difficult to grow than the red ones?

A. The newer hybrids are as easy to grow as the originals.

Q. What’s the cottony-black stuff on the bottom of my citrus leaves?

A. The cottony masses that cluster on the undersides of citrus leaves, during October to December, are Woolly white fly. The insects are covered with a white waxy powder and often are accompanied with shiny, sticky goo and black sooty mold.

Application of a combination of Diazinon with a horticultural oil should knock down this problem.

Q. What type of Christmas tree would you recommend?

A. Only a living one!

Q. Can I plant vegetables now?

A. Yes, you can. Catharine prefers broccoli, but carrots, cabbage, kale, lettuce, parsley and turnips also can be planted either by seed or from starts.

Q. Is Christmas pepper poisonous?

A. No, but the fruit is hot! The fruits of Jerusalem cherry, also available around the holidays, are poisonous.

Christmas lights, pine boughs and plastic Santa Clauses…. The race is on to see who has the flashiest holiday decorations.

So stick up the ivy and the bays; it’s become a secular holiday anyway. See you next time.