In cold climates, transplant to a pot one size larger, using moist German peat moss, and place outdoors in the summer in a cool, partially shaded place. Keep moist throughout the summer, apply biweekly feedings of liquid house plant fertilizer, and supplement occasionally with an iron chelate such as Sequestrene. Bring indoors in autumn, place in a cool place (about 5O°F.) and keep the soil barely moist until December or January. Then move to a sunny, moist, cool place, and begin to apply more water and occasional feedings.

   Euphorbiaceae

   Trees, shrubs, herbs, and cactuslike succulents with alternate leaves, milky juice (generally somewhat poisonous) and inconspicuous flowers surrounded by colorful bracts.

   Acalypha

   DESCRIPTION: A. hispida, from western Pacific regions, is prized for its showy flower spikes which dangle gracefully from the leaf axils. They are long, fluffy, bright red (pinkish white in the variety alba). Often called "chenille plant." Macafeana is one of several varieties of A. wilkesiana. Its red, ovate leaves are colorfully marbled in crimson and bronze. This and others in the genus are called "copper leaf."

   CULTURE: Light, sunny to semi-sunny. Temperature, average house. Humidity, average house. Soil, equal parts loam, sand, and peat moss; keep evenly moist at all times. Propagate by cuttings taken in the fall.

   Codiaeum

   DESCRIPTION: Species and varieties of codiaeum, known everywhere as crotons, are a source of equal parts pleasure and anguish to the indoor gardener. If kept warm and humid, given enough sunlight to color well, and enough fresh air circulation to reduce red spider mite attacks, crotons are nearly unequaled as colorful foliage plants. However, if any phase of culture is not agreeable, they will drop their leaves within a matter of hours.

   C. interruptum, from Polynesia, is red and yellow, with the midrib appearing to extend beyond the leaf blade. Another, possibly a sport of this, has two distinct leaf blades connected by the main rib. C. spirale, from Malaysia, has green leaves brightly splashed with yellow and red, and twisted like a corkscrew. C. vanegatum pictum, from Ceylon, Malaya, southern India, and the Sunda Islands, has given rise to almost countless hybrids. There are oak-leaf shapes, and broad elliptical ones. Colors range from palest yellow through pinks, reds, oranges, and browns, to every possible shade of green. There are spots, blotches, marginal colorings, and veins often showing contrasting colors. Many crotons have young growth of one color that matures to quite another. Very seldom will two leaves on any plant be exactly alike.

   CULTURE: Light, sunny to semi-sunny. Temperature, average house. Humidity, 30% or more, and ample circulation of fresh air. Soil, equal parts loam, sand, peat moss, and leaf mold; keep evenly moist. Propagate from cuttings whenever warmth (70-8o°F.) and high humidity can be provided.