Q I have a couple of tropical patio plants I purchased this summer and I'd like to keep them alive over the winter. How do I do this?
A Many tropical potted plants, such as hibiscus, need lots of light or their leaves will yellow and, along with unopened flower buds, fall off. One way to overwinter containerized hibiscus is to bring it indoors, withhold water and let the soil go dry. All the leaves will fall off and the plant will go dormant. Place the plant in an area that is around 40 to 45 degrees. Check on the soil moisture about every two weeks, and if it is dry 2 to 3 inches down, add a little water. This will keep the stems from shriveling but not encourage new growth.
In the spring, bring the plant into a warmer, well-lighted area, water well and prune back lightly. In a few weeks, you should have a newly revived plant ready for the garden.
Other tropical potted plants such as Angel trumpet can be managed the same way. By carrying over plants from year to year, they get larger and make very impressive and imposing specimens in the garden.
Source: Greg Stack, horticulture educator, University of Illinois Extension Is foil foiled? Q I saw your suggestion for recycling aluminum foil, but I was told that you can't recycle foil with cans as they are not the same alloy. Which is true?
A Depending on where you live, you can recycle foil. Many cities are now accepting aluminum foil for recycling with aluminum cans. The foil should be free of food residue.
To find out if your city allows foil recycling, contact your county solid waste officer or your hauler. They're listed at www.recycle moreminnesota.org; go to "How do I recycle?"
Source: Ellen Telander, director, Recycling Association of Minnesota Send your questions to Fixit in care of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488, or call 612-673-7032, or e-mail fixit@startribune.com. Past columns are available at www.startribune. com/fixit. Sorry, Fixit cannot supply individual replies.
