Try some really exotic sprout projects

Here are two of the interesting ones I think are grow-able in our homes and might be of the most interest to children. One warning, however: You are going to need some supplemental lights for these. Consider it the final excuse for setting some up.

Let's start with sugar cane. Many of the Asian markets carry it, usually cut into sticks about 6- to 8-inches long. It is possible to root these "cuttings," but as with all of the items I am writing about today, you have to make sure you have a fresh and viable sample. In the case of sugar care, it tends to dehydrate from the ends where it has been cut, and if a piece isn't long enough it will dry out to the center from both ends.

Actually, it is not the ends of the cane from which the plant grows. Each cane is segmented, and if you look carefully there is one, small, scaly-like growth on the side of each of these divisions. Buy cane that not only looks the freshest but that has as many of these scales as possible. Just underneath each scale is a band of dots with immature roots just waiting for planting.

When you get home, soak the cane in very cold water for 24 hours. Depending on where you do this, it may be necessary to change the water several times a day to keep it cool, so it is best to use a very cool room. It won't hurt the cutting but rather help the cane gain back some needed moisture, while the coolness of the water should break the dormancy of the bud that lies under the scales.

Place some really organic and well-draining soil, compost or humus into a six inch pot, stopping about 4 inches from the top. Some people emulate the real sugar cane growers and place the cutting on its side on the soil with the scales facing the rim of the pot. Others stick one end of the cutting into the soil so that the band of roots is just touching the surface and the scale is right above it. Either way, add another inch of soil (don't tamp this down) and water lightly.

The extra room at the top of the pot will allow you to add more soil to help keep the plants upright as they start sprouting, which should happen in a couple of weeks if you keep the soil slightly moist and provide the pot with good light. More shoots should appear and your pot should fill with a bamboo-like plant. Best of all, when you need a bit of sweetener for your coffee or tea, you can cut off a piece and use it as a stirrer.

Next, while a bit more difficult, I consider the pomegranate. Full of seeds, they are as fresh as we are going to see them this year, just now in the markets. That means their seed is most viable. Wait too long and they may not be.

Pomegranates are an unusual and exotic fruit. My children have considered them a fall delicacy ever since we stripped them down to peel the case and eat the fleshy fruit coverings -- or arils -- off the many seeds inside.

Those who have indulged know these can be very messy fruits to open. The best method is to use a sharp, serrated knife and saw off the tip, exposing some of the seeds. Then peel the skin back, revealing segments which can be safely, and more importantly, cleanly divided. The seeds are everywhere. Suck off the tasty aril, then save and rinse a few seeds.

You can try and germinate the seeds on soil, but it is easier to use one of your sprouting jars or other container, lined with a wet paper towel. Cover the top of the container with cloth to allow some air in, but keep most of the moisture from evaporating. Keep the towel damp at all times and place the container in a very warm spot that has good light.

In about four weeks the seeds should start to open and sprout. Plant them immediately in rich compost or humus. Start with six to eight seeds per 6- to 8-inch pot. Each seed should be gently placed, root down, into an eraser-deep hole made with the end of a pencil. Sprinkle soil to refill the hole and keep the soil moist until the sprouts come up above the soil level. This may take two weeks.

Soon, if all goes well, your pot will be filled with bushy plants. In three or four years, you may even get flowers. I am not sure if you will ever see pomegranates, but who knows?

A final word about mycorrhizal fungi. Plants are plants no matter where they are grown and most do better if they can form a partnership with mycorrhizal fungi. By all means roll your seeds in commercially available mycorrhizal formulations. This should help germination and the general health of your new plants.

Jeff Lowenfels is a member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame. You can reach him at home.gci.net/~jeff/gardener.

POINSETTIAS: They are coming if not already here. Keep yours cool and never, ever let them dry out.

ORCHIDS: You find them everywhere these days, from nurseries to supermarkets. They make excellent houseplants and thrive, in terms of blooming, when they are exposed to cooler nights than day temperatures. Hey, sounds like our homes. Garden calendar