Imagine holiday shopping in a relaxed atmosphere, with a knowledgeable staff and plenty of parking. Now imagine being surrounded with exclusive gift items for him, her, the kids - and even the pets! With gifts so exciting and original you'll find something for everyone on your list.

The gift shop at Moana Nursery - more than you'd expect.

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• Poinsettias grow best in bright light.
• Average room temperature should be 60-70°f.
• Cool conditions prolong 'bloom' time.
• Keep the soil lightly moist at all times.
• Large plants often need water everyday.
• Repot with good potting soil.
• Should the leaves of a plant become lanky, cut them off and use as you would cut flowers.

For more gardening tips:
Tune in to the Garden Show every Saturday on Radio KOH, from 8-9 am. Watch Channel 8 KOLO each Monday morning at 5:40 am.

By Tamara Galbraith

Not long after moving into our current house in the fall of 2004, I was presented with a large potted plant by the wonderful woman who lives behind us. "I just divided mine," she explained, "and I don't have any room for this one. I'm not really sure what it is, but when it blooms, it's beautiful!"

I too was clueless about the plant's origins. But within a few weeks, a flower stalk emerged among the big strap-like leaves, and a spray of gorgeous, trumpet-shaped orange flowers burst forth...in the middle of winter, no less.

After some research, I finally identified the plant. Eureka! Or...make that: Clivia!

Clivia belongs to the same family as amaryllis, with some variations in height within the species. The primary flower color is orange, but there is also a yellow-flowered cultivar that is somewhat hard to find. Also on the rare and expensive side, there is a new breed of clivia on the market with variegated, striped foliage, which comes in both yellow- and orange-flowering forms. Good luck finding those.

Clivias are large, heavy plants and like to remain in the same pot for a long time. A mature plant can get 2-3 feet tall and almost as wide. Like many winter-flowering plants, clivia should be given a month of cool night temperatures in autumn, followed by a six-to-eight-week rest period with very little water. Even when not in bloom, the big sword-shaped leaves make for an attractive foliage plant, though.

Be patient with a young clivia, as it apparently takes a few years for them to bloom...making me especially grateful to my neighbor friend for doing the hard part for me! They are a fabulous alternative to the usual live plants available for gift-giving this time of year.

By Tamara Galbraith

Celebrating the holidays surrounded by beloved children and pets always makes this time of year sweeter. But the little darlings sure can get into trouble when your back is turned, eh?

And that's why it's important to be aware of the plants you've got decorating your holiday setting each and every year. Little fingers like reaching for bright red berries, and curious puppies and kitties can eat anything and everything in sight, leaves and all. So let's run down a few popular holiday plant choices and what you should watch out for:

Poinsettias:
For many years, this popular beauty was thought to be extremely toxic. However, recent studies have shown that, while ingestion certainly isn't recommended, eating the leaves won't cause instant death either. Keep it out of reach of curious kids and pets, and be careful when handling it yourself; the sap can cause a poison ivy-like reaction on the skin.

Holly:
The greatest danger isn't the pointy-sharp leaves (although those are a nuisance); it's eating the bright red berries, which can result in extreme stomach and intestinal problems.

Amaryllis, Kalanchoe:
Somewhat toxic, but large amounts would have to be eaten for real trouble to occur.

Jerusalem Cherry, Pyracantha, Bittersweet, Helleborus niger, Mistletoe, Laurel, Yew:
All are highly toxic (especially the berries, when present) and should definitely be kept well away from children and pets.

Be smart about other plants too, or at least, where you have them positioned. Toddlers with a penchant for trouble can eat potting soil containing toxic fertilizer, or pebbles just big enough to be choked on. Don't put heavy plants where they could potentially fall on a child or pet. Watch out for dangling vines that kids or pets can pull on or get tangled in during a rambunctious moment...and you know the holidays bring plenty of those.