Let me jump around a bit with this week's column.
First, I just finished watering our collection of "bonsai mosses," a small collection of different mosses, each in a 3-or 4-inch dish. Mosses are really beautiful, and they are easy to grow indoors in the winter. I forgot to tell you to go out and collect some earlier this fall, but the next warm spell should enable you to gather some from outside and "plant it." All it takes is a shallow container and a handful of soil to cover its bottom.
On the other hand, you may be able to gather moss from your summer containers, around downed trees, at the base of stumps and even off an accessible part of your roof. Those who complain of moss in the lawn may be able to go out and paw up a bit to take inside. Finally, look for moss in the pots of plants available at local nurseries or on your own houseplants.
Once you get some moss, press it into the soil in your shallow container and keep the soil moist. In about a month it will be established enough to green up again if you forget to water it, but don't try this trick until it is growing normally.
As for care, all it takes for an indoor moss garden is a bit of light and water. Any temperature over 50 will do and I am surprised at how little light they really take, though the better the light the faster it grows and spreads. Plus, moss looks better under bright light.
Once established, you may find other things growing through the moss, such as dandelions or ferns or mushrooms. These add to the interest and the beauty of caring for mosses during the winter months. You may want to stick a few stones into your containers to make miniature landscapes. In the summer just put your containers outside and get them ready for next winter.
Next, without getting into the Latin of things, the very best way to tell if you have a Christmas cactus or a Thanksgiving cactus is to check the blooms right now. If blooming, it is obviously a Thanksgiving. Keep it just slightly moist while it is in flower; cooler temperatures are best. Right after it stops flowering, allow it to dry a bit. That is as good a time as any to take cuttings. Snip off a "Y" of leaves and root the bottom in slightly damp potting medium. And remember to label it so you and others will know when to expect blooms.
Speaking of blooms that result when the day length changes -- as do the so-called "holiday cacti" -- if you have supplemental lights did you reset them once we hit Daylight savings time? Make sure you do it so your plant cycles are not disrupted. Jasmine, Christmas and Easter cacti and indoor grown vegetables can all be confused by daylight savings time.
Next, it is the fungus gnat time of year, judging from the questions I am getting this week. These are the fruit fly-like critters that jet past your eyes and are so hard to swat. They love bathrooms and kitchens where there is water, and they usually breed and thrive in potting soil that is too damp, so check yours. In addition, cover the soil of your houseplants with newspaper to trap larvae and block the flies.
Finally, virtually all of us have cell phones and all of these have cameras. The modern gardener uses the cell phone -- and you should too -- to take pictures of things you want in your yard next year: trees, shrubs, flowers, landscape design and the like, items you happen to come by during your travels. E-mail them to yourself. Set up a folder in your e-mail system called "Spring" and file them for review in early spring.
Modern technology. This marks the beginning of the 35th year of this column. Who would have thought back in November 1976, that we'd have tiny phones in our pockets capable of taking pictures, sending and receiving instant letters and searching an encyclopedia as big as the web? And who would have thought that such a sci-fi breakthrough would serve as a gardening tool?
Jeff Lowenfels is a member of the Garden Writers Hall of Fame. You can reach him at teamingwithmicrobes.com or by calling 274-5297 during "The Garden Party" radio show from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays on KBYR AM-700.
JEFF LOWENFELS
GARDENING