Ferns and palms

Both ferns and palms are foliage house plants, but because they have to some extent different characteristics, it is better to treat them separately. Sixty of more years ago practically no conservatory or front parlour was without its ferns. Even today they are to be found in many houses, and there is every indication that they are returning to popularity. Perhaps it is the cool beauty of their foliage and graceful outlines that creates such a restful atmosphere in contrast to the pressures of modern living, that makes them so acceptable in these times. On the other hand, palms, which one associates with bygone days-the splendour of the prewar seaside hotel-have an exotic elegance that is appropriate to contemporary, even ultra-modern, decor-undoubtedly the reason why these beautiful, stately plants have come into vogue again in more recent times.

Ferns
There are several thousand species of ferns, but only a very small proportion can be persuaded to grow indoors. Quite a number of them are easy to grow. They are effective in a room as single specimens or as members of a grouping, but they seem to be more appropriate in containers planted only with ferns. Nevertheless, some of the smaller ferns are excellent when planted in bottle gardens and terrariums. They need good light, but mostly abhor bright sunlight. In most cases they like to be kept in a warm place, in which the temperature does not fall below 50°F (io°C). They require a moist atmosphere and, for this reason, they are much happier if their pots are plunged in moist peat or sphagnum moss (see page 132-3). They like to be planted in rich loam, containing at least fifty per cent of peat, which should be kept well watered during their growing period and much drier when they are at rest. They do not like a hot, dry, atmosphere, especially in the presence of gas fumes, because it causes the tips of their fronds to brown.

Adiantum cuneatum (The Maidenhair Fern). There are several attractive varieties, such as 'Dessictum' and 'Grandiceps', and another species that is grown is A. wrightii. A. cuneatum is not always the easiest of ferns to grow. It is not so particular regarding temperature, but it benefits by being given spells in the warm, moist atmosphere-if it were possible-of a greenhouse but, more likely, of a steam bath (see page 132-3). It has a very dainty appearance with each leaf being made up of numerous fan-shaped leaflets, which are carried on thin stems. It is very good in a bottle garden.

Asparagus Fern (Asparagus plumosus and A. sprengeri). Although neither of these are true ferns, they are regarded as such by most people. Both are climbing plants and have feathery foliage; if lopped they can be kept reasonably low-growing. There is, however, a dwarf variety, A. plumosus 'Compactus' which is excellent for small pots. Asparagus fern is treasured by florists and flower arrangers alike because it makes such a beautiful foil to almost any flowers.

Asplendium nidus avis (Bird's Nest Fern). This plant, which is one of the most striking of all indoor ferns, is characterized by its glossy, bright-green, undivided fronds with slightly undulated margins, set in a fashion that has been likened to a shuttlecock. Its leaves grow eventually to about twenty-four inches long and are three to eight inches wide. It does not like bright sun, but it needs more light and warmth than most ferns, and it appreciates a moist atmosphere.

Cyrtomium falcatum (House Holly Fern, Shield Fern). This almost hardy fern is most valuable because it grows well in an ordinary living-room, providing it does not cool to too great an extent at night. It has shining, dark-green, toothed leaves that makes it a fine, decorative plant that contrasts well with the more delicate-looking ferns that are grown indoors.

Nephrolepis exaltata (N. exaltata bostoniensis, Boston, Curly, Crested Ladder, Sword or Whitman Fern) is one of the most beautiful ferns for growing either in a pot or hanging basket. It has cascading fronds that are much divided and grow up to three feet long. It likes a good deal of water through the year and pays for feeding during the summer. It lends an elegant accent to any room and will fill an empty corner with a permanent fountain of rich green foliage.

Pellaea rotundifola is a small fern that is very effective in a bottle garden, hanging basket and pot. It forms rounded clumps and has eight-to ten-inch long fronds, that give off up to twenty stalks, each of which carry small, dark-green, round secondary leaves.

Phyllitis scolopendrium, Scolopendrium vulgare (Hart's Tongue Fern). This is a hardy fern that grows wild. There are quite a few varieties grown as house plants. They all have strap-shaped fronds, six to eighteen inches long, with wavy edges. Some are crested, and some have variegations or markings in varying shades of green. An additional asset to their great charm is their ability to stand even freezing rooms. They must however, be kept very moist and out of direct sunshine.

Platycerium bifurcatum, P. alcicorne (Stag's Horn Fern) is an Australian epiphytic, evergreen fern, which means that in its natural habitat it grows on the bark of trees without being planted in soil. Because of this it can be used for decoration in unusual ways. Provided it is kept moist, it will grow very satisfactorily on a pad of moss tied to cork bark, which can be fixed, say, to a wall or anywhere else where the fern will be decorative. It seems to require little feeding.

This spectacular fern has two kinds of leaves, the antler-like, light-green ones that stand out proudly like the horns of a stag, and the large, round, first pale-green and downy, and later brown and papery ones, that attach the plant to its support. It can stand quite low temperatures, but it must be kept out of hot sunshine.

Pteris cretica (Ribbon Fern, Brake Fern) is a fairly quick-growing fern and easy to grow in almost any room. Its fronds are divided into segments, as if they have been cut from ribbons of stiff green material. It is a handsome fern for a pot. It does not object to bright light and will prosper on a sunny window-sill. In a very hot position, however, it likes a very moist atmosphere. It needs very good watering during the summer and only slightly less in the winter. P. cretica, together with its close relatives, P. argyraea and P. ensiformis 'Victoriae', which has variegated foliage, are very suitable subjects for bottle gardens.

Selaginella (Creeping Moss). These plants are not strictly ferns, but are closely related to them. There are three species which are usually sold by florists. The first is Selaginella apus, which has bright-green, prettily shaped leaves; the second is S. martensii, with mossy, bright-green foliage, and S. kraus-siana, which has bright-green, fern-like foliage. With its twelve-inch trailing stems, the latter is an excellent choice for a hanging basket. Perhaps even more lovely is its variety 'Aurea' which has tiny golden leaves.

Selaginellas require damp, shady conditions and moderate warmth, with a winter temperature of about 55°F (i3°C).

Palms
Palms, when young, make good house plants with their plumes of beautiful green leaves. Most of them must be sited in a good light room, but they can manage without sun. They are better if they are kept slightly pot-bound. Top dressing in spring, by replacing half an inch of the existing top layer of soil with fresh leaf-mould, is much appreciated by them. They should have good drainage. They should be well watered in the summer and sparingly in the winter. They like to be kept out of draughts with a winter temperature never falling below 5o°F( io°C).

The more popular palms that are grown indoors are: Chamaerops humilis (The Fan Palm) is almost hardy and easy to grow. It does best, therefore, in cool or only moderately warm rooms. It is an evergreen shrub, growing up to eight feet tall and producing a clump of stiff, fan-shaped leaves on long stems.

Chamaedorea erumpens (The Bamboo Palm) is a slender, but tall-growing palm and is very suitable for a narrow alcove. It tolerates dry air, provided its roots are kept moist.

Cocos weddelliana, Syagrus weddelliana (The Coconut Palm) grows slowly. It has very stiff, narrow leaves. It needs a minimum winter temperature of 70°F (2i°C). Also liking shade, high humidity and moist soil, it thrives in a bottle garden.

 Cycas revoluta (The Sago Palm) has ornamental, feather-shaped, dark-green leaves.

Howea belmoreana, Kentia belmoreana (The Curly Palm). This species and H. forsteriana (Kentia Palm) are generally considered the best palms for growing in pots and for use in living-rooms. The temperature during the winter should not fall below 45°F (7°C) for both of them. They eventually become large and tall and need a large pot. They both have graceful, feathery leaves.

Neanthe bella, Neanthe elegans (The Parlour Palm) is an excellent small palm for both dish and bottle gardens.

Phoenix dactylifera (The Date Palm) grows up to sixty feet high in its natural surroundings, but makes a very lovely house plant when planted in a pot. Its leaves are a bright green. It can be raised from date stones (see page 137).

P. roebelinii is the species that is more often seen in florists. It is a very elegant and striking house plant. The leaves, which are feathery and shiny and dark green in colour, have leaflets that are sometimes sickle-shaped. The richness of its green can be retained by placing a lump of sulphate of iron on the surface of the soil and allowing it to dissolve during the course of watering. It needs to be kept warmer than P. dactylifera. Its winter temperature should not fall below 6o°F (i5°C).

Rhapis excelsa, R. flabelliformis (The Lady Palm) has fan-shaped, deep-green leaves, which can be kept dark with sulphate of iron (see above). It can stand low temperatures and prefers shade.