THE ASPIDISTRA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 230, 28 September 1935, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE ASPIDISTRA.

The aspidistra, or parlour palm, is the most easily cultivated of room plants. It will live in dark corners, draughty passages and stand the 'extremes of lieat and cold better than any other plant. The aspidistra is increased by division of the tufts or clumps of growths. A large be partejl into two or three pieces or divided up to make a dozen or more small plants. As the roots are thick and fleshy, the tufts must be pulled apart carefully, not cut with a knife or sharp-edged trowel. When the soil becomes sour through excessive watering or bad drainage, the old soil should be washed clean from the roots. A suitable soil for aspidistras consists of three parts of fibrous loam, one part of leaf mould and one part of coarse sand. Add a few pieces of broken charcoal ami a little peat if these are available. Repotting should be done in spring and the plants divided. Aspidistras do not require large pots compared with the size of the plants, neither is it necessary to repot the plants annually if the soil is in good condition. Aspidistras can be grown entirely in a room, or changed with plants growing in a greenhouse. If two or three sets of plants are grown, it will allow a change round each month, each plant having a month in a room and a month or two months in a greenhouse. Failing a change to a greenhouse, move the plants about in the room in order that the same plants do not always occupy the least favourable positions. The green-leaved variety is commonly grown, though the variegated or striped-leaved variety is more attractive when it is well grown. To develop the white or creamy white stripes to their full beauty, light is ijecessarv, so that thene are best when grown in a light window cr a cool greenhouse. Sometimes >a little decayad manure, boneincal or soot is mixed with the potting soil.