Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-16
Stately Beauties That Will Adorn At
traetive Homes.
some HARDY FOLIAGE BEARERS
How to Care for Them in the Win
ter Time.
TO SELECT PALMS AND FERNS


general head of foliage plants Foremost
on the list of these stands the palm. In
these days no house is considered well fur
nished that has not one or more of these
stately beauties in hall. drawing room or
library, and too often placed with less re-
gard for the requirements of the plant than
for artistic effect This is very proper and
right if for temporary purposes, but many
costly plants are sacrificed in this way
through thoughtlessness or ignorance AS
rule they come from the florists in fine
condition. but in a few weeks months
begin to look seedy, and their possessors
lcok on in Ciismay at the ruin they see no
way of averting.
This is so commonly the fate of palms
and other foliage plants falling into ANA
teur hands that it is no wonder an i'm
preston prevails as to the difficulty, If not
the inpossibiity of keeping them in good
condition through the winter. Difficult it
certainly is. in houses kept at the tenn
perature of most modern dwellings, but
even in such a case IL Is not impossible, II
proper attention is paid them in other re-
spects- 1t is true that most foliage plants
are natives of the tropics, but the heat of
the tropics is moist heat, and there are
not those sudden changes of temperature
to which we are subject To supply the
needed moisture without injuring the
plants is the main point in the care of all
house plants.
This the conservatory accomplishes to
PERFECTION; but when plants are transferred
thence TO our overheated dwellings, and
given over to the tender mercies of ignor-
ant or Indifferent persons, it is a wonder
they keep UP the struggle for life as long
as they do. The fact is that many varie-
ties of foliage plants, and particularly
palms. can be kept in fairly good condi-
ton in almost any house, if their needs are
understoo and provided for as nearly as
possible Under some circumstances they
may even be made to grow and flourish al
MT st as well as I'm a hot house.
Care in Selection.
III the first place care must be exercised
In selecting the plants. Purchase only
those that show signs Of decay or in
sects, as they often do when they have
been exposed for sale on flower stands in
the markets. or in florists windows. Plants,
like everything else, get shop worn in
time. The species of palm most likely to
give PERMANENT satisfaction are the La
tania borbonica- or fan palm. familiar
to everyone: the different sorts of Kentias
the Westinghouse filifera, which is similar
to the fan palm, but has the tips of the
leaves terminating in long dropping fila
menIs: the Areca lutercens. and the Zamia
intesrifolea, which is said to be the hardest
TO kill by neglect and ill-usage of any. You
may know it at sight by its large egg
shaped bulb rising above the soil and send
ing out many long. pinnate leaves, very
much like the sword fern. The Cycas rev.
oluta reese mbleS 1t closely, and is equally
patient under abuse.
How to Treat Palms.
Palms should never be placed near a hot
air register, steam radiator or where the
sun will shine directly upon them for sew
eral hours a day. Sponge or spray with a
rubber atomizer both leaves and stalks at
least once week. Twice a week is better;
and do not forget the under part of the
leaves. Never do this to any house plant
when the sun Is on it. Water only when
the top of the soil looks dry; too much
moisture causes the soil to become sour,
and the roots decay. Remember, plants
breathe through the pores of their leaves;
If these are allowed to become incrusted
with dust they will sicken and perish in
the end as surely as the Italian baby in the
story who took the part of the infant Jesus
in a procession with his little body covered
with gold leaf, and died in consequence.
Deadly Enemies.
The insect enemies of the palm are not
many. but deadly. Most insidious of all is
the red spider. If your palms begin to turn
brown, bring them into a strong light and
examine the under part of the leaves close
ly. with microscope, If possible, for the
red spider is invisible to any but sharp
eyes. A vigorous spraying with cold water
for several days will destroy this pest.
IiOhHCI - the scare, winch may be
found usually on the stalks and leaf-ribs
To get rid OF IL, first scrub the plant thor
oughly with a brush. then sponge with
scapSuds and kerosene ola teaspoonful
OF the latter to a quart of water. Do this
every three days until the scale disappears
Palms need reporting once a year spring
being the best time. Valuable plants
should by all means be taken to a reliable
neriSt or gardener If possible. If that can
not be done, do as follows: Turn the plan.
carefully out of the old pot If that has
been flled with roots, take a new NOT two
sizes larger and put in the bottom a two
men layer OF einders. shards. other
drainage stun Then a layer of good rich
SOIL Remove as much of the old soil with
your myers as you can without inturtng
me deiicate rootlets. and pot very care
iuAy; Many palm is killed by rough
handling. Keep in a cool shady nI,ce fnr
some time after reporting
Other Foliage Plants
And now. some hints as to the selection
and care of other foliage plants The omni-
presentrubber plant hardly needs mention.
Every one knows it. and as it seems to
nourish under the most diverse and unfa-
Vorable conditions, no directions need he
given There is one thing however. that
even rubber plant resents-by diving out
right That is. very low temperature.
The papyrus. or umbrella plant is another
popular plant, but few succeed with 1,
Keep the pot standing constantly in a dish
OF wafer. and in the sunlight 1t will 90
Well So. If at ALL
Drac tenas are grand decorative plants
win their long, sword-shaped leaves. green.
bronze or crimson. striped with rose vel
low and white. They are delicate. and
must be protected from extremes of heat
or cold Place them where the sunlight
Will inter through their leaves: they will
glow like stained glass
Most wonderful of all foliage plants in
point OF variety and gorgeousness is the
cdladluTn- More than four hundred combl-
nations of color in this plant are known to
the florist Ii woulG seem as II nature in
an eNtraEaSant mood. had CHOSEN the broad
leaves OF the ca!adiCm upon which to ex-
hibit her utmost ingenuity in the use of
color and design Every hue and shade in
her eNhaustless color-box is lavishy drawn
upon and mingled in the most amazing de-
signs
marvellous plant. indeed. and worthy of
all the care IL requires. Given light but
not too hot place. plenty of moisture it be-
Ing Dubious plant. and not allowed to
ouner from irregular treatment, il is almost
sure TO do Well The leaves OF the GAIA
deain must not be wet when the sun shines
on them.
There are but few ferns that do well in
the dry air OF the living room Give them
north window and keep them clean and
moist however, and some of them will live