PLANTS FOR THE DINNER TABLE

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2233, 30 May 1881, Page 4

PLANTS FOR THE DINNER TABLE

[From the “Field.”] Fine leaved plants for this purpose greatly assist in economising flowers in winter whim the supply of the latter is limited, anr. throughout the summer months they impart u coolness and freshness to the table, both with and without flowers. Where a constant supply of plants has to be grown for this purpose, it should be the aim of the cultivator to have them as varied as possible. It is also essential that they bo well grown, as plants with sickly foliage, or otherwise disfigured, either by insect pests or over-crowding, will present bub a poor appearance when placed on a table, where their general qualities can be seen at a glance. Therefore, whatever is grown for this purpose ought to be in the best of health. Six-inoh or 32 sized pots should be the maximum in which plants for the dinner table are grown, and not many should be tolerated in this aizs. I much prefer 48’s for almost til kinds of plants, and some palms can be grown and kept in good health in 60 s, and of sufficient size and proportions to produce a good effect. These smaller-sized pots have a decided advantage in the case of some arrangements. I have at times used several plants for table work when only in 72’s. I have invariably noticed that the very common error made by cultivators for this purpose has been adhering far too much to the larger size of pot, which has frequently been out of all proportion to the size of the plant. Now I consider quite the opposite ought to be aimed at, i e., to endeavour to secure a healthy plant in us small a pot as possible. Plants in such pots will require more attention in the way of watering, &c., than those in larger size; but they will not be so likely to lose their roots as when the larger size is used. When the plants become pot-bound, and require extra nutrition to assist them, they should be treated to frequent waterings, either of liquid manure or some artificial kind of fertiliser, I have found Standen's Gardener’s and Amateur’s Friend a very useful manure, for palms especially. By thus treating the plants, and paying attention to the cleanliness of the foliage, they can be made to do service for a long time. They ought to bo changed twice or three times every week, according to their hardiness, and ought not at any time when in the house to be allowed to become dry at the root; for being in a dry atmosphere, they suffer from drought the more readily. The largo variety and varied forms of palms render this class of plants indispensable as table plants. The impunity with which some kinds withstand ill-treatment is extraordinary, notably those which thrive in a temperate house. Some of the most graceful kinds require stove treatment; consequently they must be used more carefully. _ Foremost among these stands Cocos Weddelliana, which is one of the most elegant palms when in a small state. It can be grown of sufficient size for table work in 48 pots, and even in smaller pots it is very effective. Geonoma gracilis is also a most useful palm in a small state, and very graceful. It is, when in a healthy state, a deeper shade of green than the former. Arooa aurea is one of the best of its class, being slender in growth and elegant in outline. A. lutescens is perhaps one of the most useful palms we have. It can bo had and grown well in small pots, and will withstand exposure to a dry atmosphere. A. Versohaffeltii is also a useful sort, partaking of the character of A, aurea, but rather more robust in growth, A. rubra is a useful and hardy kind, very handy in 60 pots; in larger pots it is inclined to grow too freely for table work. A. sapida is very pretty when in small pots before it partakes of its more robust habit, and can be grown in a warm greenhouse. A. nobilis (or Onoosperma Van Houtteana), distinguished by its spiny petioles, is very distinct, and in a small state most useful, but it requires a higher temperature than most kinds. Calamus ciliaris when in a dwarf state is one of the most distinct of palms grown os a plant for the table. Amongst Chamicdoreos, C. graminifolia is one of the best. It can bo used very effectively as a centre plant for the dinner table when even three or four feet high, being very light and graceful. C. glaucifolia is also a very serviceable plant/ partaking as regards the formation of its leaves somewhat of the character of the genus Cocos. This palm can be grown to form beautiful plants for the table in 60 pots. When in larger pots it is apt to increase in height rapidly, rendering it rather too tall for table decoration, but most serviceable as a general ornamental plant. Diomonorops fissus and other kinds closely resembling it, such as D. melanochcctes and palembanicus, can be retained in a healthy state for a length of time in small pots, in which they ore very useful and effective. Euterpe ednlis, I think, is one of the prettiest palms grown as a table plant in 48 and 60 sized pots ; its slender stem and the arching character of its fronds render it a most distinct and graceful palm. And Geonoma pumila is also a good palm for the table when in small pots ; it is quite distinct from G. sohottiana, which is another good plant for this purpose. Kentia australis* Belmoreana, and Fosteriana are amongst the hardiest and most useful palms which we possess, invariably retaining their healthy deep green colour for a length of time. One or other of these kinds should be grown in the most select collection. As small plants they are especially useful for the table { when larger they are invaluable as general decorative plants. They can be grown to a large size in a comparatively small pot with the aid of occasional doses of Standen’s manure. Fbu-nix rupioola is one of the best of its class, and not so scarce as it has been. Seaforthia elegans is a useful table plant in the smaller sizes of pots, before it puts on its robust habit. Among the fan palms, plants of the Thrinax are the most light and elegant for the table, and of these T. elegans is one of the best of its class, and quite distinct from any other palm I have named previously. It will be generally found, in growing palms for the dinner table, that, when they become pot-bound, they will be liable to the attacks of red spider, and mostly those kinds grown in a stove temperature. In order to remedy this as much as possible in the general routine of work, they ought to be well g yringed overhead at least twice daily; but, if ne spider becomes very troublesome, it is better to resort to sponging the leaves, or to dipping the plants in a solution made from any of the many insecticides now so easily to be procured. Experience as to the different strengths of various kinds will be found highly essential to the cultivator, in order that be may know to what strength ho may use any given sort without injury to the plants.