A TALK ON ASPIDISTRAS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 32

A TALK ON ASPIDISTRAS

The aspidistra is one of our most popular of pot-plants for indoor decoration. In fact, its common name, "Parlour Palm,” has been given it on account of its frequent use in livingrooms. But as the botanical name has been practically accepted for general use, the common name can well be dispensed with. Few other plants can endure the average* treatment | meted out to plants kept in livingrooms, where they are a prey to dry j atmospheres, starvation at the root | from lack of moisture, dust which i chokes up the pores of the leaves, ! etc. Although the plant puts up a i brave fight against these conditions, it ; will amply repay- better treatment, and a well-grown specimen aspidistra is an ornament to be proud of. The plant is a native of China and a member of the lily family-. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers near the base of the leaf stalks, and these flowers are often removed, as they are not ornamental, the plants being grown solely on account of its handsome leaves, which are dark, glossy green when the plant is healthy, or in the variegated kind more or less striped with white. Both kinds are handsome, though some prefer one kind and some another. A general mistake in its culture is to over-pot the plants, and we thus often see plants with three or four leaves put into eight or ten-inch pots. This gives too much pot room, the soil in the pot becomes sodden, and the plants do not thrive. As a rule they thrive best when the pots become full, and the roots a little pot-bound, the variegated kind especially so. Commencing with a small plant with say three or four leaves, a five-inch pot w-ill be large enough to hold it and, provided it is not allowed to become dry, the plant should thrive in it for a y-ear or perhaps tw-o before requiring a larger-sized pot. The soil used should be a sandy loam, with a good proportion of leaf mould mixed with it if available; if not, rotted turf may be used, or old cow manure crumbled fine. The pot should have a piece of broken pot placed over the hole in the bottom for drainage, then a few pieces of charcoal should be placed on it, next some fibrous material to prevent the soil choking the drainage, and then the soil previously mixed. Charcoal pounded fine is of benefit mixed through the soil, as it helps to give the leaves that glossy appearance which is so much desired. The base of the plant should not be placed too deep in the pot; just below the surface of the soil will be sufficient. The soil should be well pressed in, and about an inch of the rim of the pot should be clear after potting is finished to allow for watering. Washing the leaves is important and should be done frequently in the following manner: Use a sponge or piece of soft flannel and gently wash the leaves on both sides with tepid water. Then place the plant out in the open air for a few hours before returning it to its place in the house. When a plant is to be exhibited, the leaves may be gently rubbed over with a piece of rag dipped in olive oil. which w-ill impart a glossy appearance to them, but it should not be done too often as it tends to clog the leaves and cause unhealthiness in the plant.