LADYBUG: WITH TIMELY ATTENTION, GIFT PLANTS LAST AWHILE

Each year more and more holiday decorations are of flowering potted plants. All too often gift plants, or those which have added a desirable splash of color for decorating, are neglected during the rush of the busy season. With a bit of timely attention poinsettias, cyclamen, gloxinia, amaryllis, Christmas cactus, kalanchoe, azaleas, Christmas peppers and Christmas cherries will last for quite awhile.

Most popular of all at this time of year is the poinsettia, and since an entire column previously was devoted to their care only a few reminders. Be sure to keep the poinsettia away from drafts, cold from doors and windows and warm drafts fro heat registers. Do not overwater. When the soil feels dry, give them a good drink, keeping them constantly moist, never standing in water and never wilting from drought. Keep them where the light is bright.

The Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus and East cactus are all plants that bloom on or about those holidays. Although these showy plants do belong to the cactus family, they do not want to be treated the same way as their thorny relatives.

Unlike other cactus, they do not like dry soil and resent being neglected. They like a porous soil and even watering during most of the year. Also, propagation is easy. Simply cut shoots back at the tip of the second joint. Stick the cutting in a moist perilite and peat mixture. Water sparingly at first so the stems will not rot. Then pot up when rooted and soon you will have another growing plant.

The cyclamen, a holiday tradition in Europe, is gaining popularity here. It offers attractive foliage and unusually shaped flowers in pink, red and white. During its blooming period, it likes cool temperatures of about 60 degrees. Place in a bright window close to the glass where temperatures are cooler than the room. A little sun in winter will not be harmful. When watering do not allow to collect in the center of the corm (bulb-like structure).

After the plant has finished blooming, remove the yellow leaves and stems and let it rest for awhile. Then, it will return.

Holiday amaryllis are a brilliant bit of showy beauty. Place the plant in a warm room, but not in direct sunlight. An even temperature both day and night gives the best results. When it is in full bloom, the flowers will last longer if the plant is moved to a cool spot at night.

Turn the pot regularly, as the stalks grow toward the light, it is important to stake the stalks since they may grow to a height of 20 inches or more. To do so, gently insert a stake upright into the pot, being careful not to injure the bullb.

After the blooms have faded, the stalk should be cut off two inches above the bulb. But do not disturb the foliage. Keep the pot moist and the leaves growing until the plant can be put outside. Put it outside in the summer and let it continue to grow. Around September store in a dry place. Do not water. After about six weeks, remove old leaves and move to growing temperatures of 60 degrees and begin to water, lightly at first. Then keep moist at all times. With good luck, it should rebloom.

Kalanchoe is a compact plant with clusters of small, usually red or yellow flowers. Foliage is leathery and succulent. It must have sunlight for good growth in the house. Fertilize at monthly intervals and keep it moist. If the plant gets too large, new ones can easily be started from cuttings. Cuttings rooted in sand in spring will often make good flowering plants by fall.

The blossoms on an azalea will last longer if plants have bright light in daytime and cool night temperatures. Keep a constant, even moisture. Flowers will wilt and die prematurely if soil becomes too dry. Soak the pot in water occasionally so moisture will penetrate to center of pot. Remove old flowers as they fade. To keep your plant growing, fertilize with an acid type azalea fertilizer every few weeks from the time the flowers fade in the spring until new flowers form. Do not fertilize while the plant is flowering.

Christmas pepper and Christmas cherry both are attractive winter plants with nice foliage and colorful fruits and blooms. To prolong their life, give them bright light and cool temperatures at night. An occasional mist spray of water keeps them looking their best.

Treat pepper plants an annuals and throw them away when they become unattractive. One can dry peppers and use them as seasoning, but watch out--They are hot!

Both Christmas peppers and Christmas cherries are easily grown from seed. Plant in pots in the spring and put them outdoors in a sunny spot.

Remember that most flowering plants for holiday decorations were produced for the season. With proper care they can be enjoyed for a long time.