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Propagation (Few Palms may be propagated)

A few Palms may be propagated from suckers where there are established plants from which such may be procured; but the general method of increase is from imported seeds. Some of these germinate in a much shorter time than others, and also grow on faster afterwards. Seeds should be sown thickly in clean, well-drained pans, and covered with about their own depth of soil; this latter should be rendered rather fine, and should consist of about two parts yellow loam and one sharp silver sand. It may be observed that the seedlings must remain, in many instances, a long time in the seed-pans; the kind of soil, and the amount of drainage are, therefore, important considerations. The pans should be plunged in, or placed immediately above, a brisk bottom heat, and kept watered, though not sufficient to cause sourness. Seeds may be sown at almost any season--early spring being that preferred. Many of the slender-growing and more delicate species may have a small portion of peat added to the loam and silver sand, as this sometimes tends to encourage root action quicker and better than when a heavier soil is used. After-treatment. Palms always succeed better, provided proper attention is given to watering, when they are somewhat restricted at the root, than when over-potted; and this rule is applicable from the very first. When two or three leaves are formed on the seedling plants, they should be placed in the smallest-sized pots that will contain their roots without injury, and be arranged close together in a house where a high temperature and moist atmosphere are maintained. It is important at the first, and also at every subsequent potting, that no part of the stem be buried; the plant's base should merely rest on the surface of the soil, which should be rendered firm throughout by a hand rammer. Roots of Palms should never be cut, if it can possibly be avoided; indeed, with some genera, this practice would be likely to prove most disastrous. Reporting should be conducted according to the rate at which the plants progress: some grow much faster than others. The quantity of roots may be taken as a guide; if these are not more or less crowded, the operation of re-potting may be deferred, as a rule, until they are. Established plants, of any size, should be overhauled in early spring, and any necessary shifting done. If roots are found to have become matted near the base, the old crocks should, if possible, be removed, and soil afterwards substituted. The ball should then be placed intact in another pot, where there is a space of about 2in. all round; this will often suffice for the next two years, at least. When repotting is unnecessary, a light top-dressing may be given instead. It is essential that the ball should be in a proper condition regarding moisture, at the time of repotting, whether of small or large specimens. In a young state, the smallest shifts are recommended, consistent with the rate of progress made by the plants. In houses of large dimensions, Palms may be planted out; at least, those which are calculated to attain a great height, and are expected to be otherwise proportionately large when developed. For a conservatory, of course, only a few will succeed all the year round; yet these should be utilised for specimens in some part of the beds. The main points in the successful culture of Palms so treated, are much the same as if they were in pots, namely, good drainage and plenty of water. In summer, syringing morning and evening may be freely practised; in winter, the moisture from evaporation, caused by damping the floor and stages, will usually be found sufficient. As Palms have to remain, perhaps, many years in the same soil, it is important that only such as is suitable should be used. Some authorities recommend equal proportions of loam, vegetable mould, peat, and sand, as a general compost. Anything tending to decay, except very slowly indeed, should not be used, as, possibly, it might kill, rather than encourage, the roots. Peat is not altogether a necessity for established Palms; in yellow loam, with plenty of sand, and some charcoal intermixed, they will grow well, and make firmer, yet, perhaps, somewhat slower growth, which is, of the two, more desirable. Manure water is of great assistance to Palms when their roots are somewhat restricted, provided the plants are in good health. It should be made from cow-manure and soot, which imparts a healthy appearance to the leaves. Some information on culture, and references to the uses for which various Palms are best suited, will be found under all the more important genera included in Palmeoe throughout this work.