NINE IRON-CLAD PALMS l8l 



is ordinarily given to other house plants, 

 except that they need bottom heat and this 

 can be easily given if the suggestions on 

 page 59 are followed. 



The first requisite is fresh seed. With 

 fev^ exceptions, seedsmen do not carry 

 palm seed in stock but it may be secured 

 through a few of the larger retail seeds- 

 men and through some of the whole- 

 salers. Place your order with them asking 

 that the seed be shipped to you as soon as 

 received. Not all the species reach the 

 markets at the same time. For instance, 

 Kentia seed arrives twice a year, in January 

 or February and in September or October. 

 Many of the florists prefer the fall shipment 

 to the winter one, as they seem to have better 

 success in germinating the seed. Livistona 

 seed arrives in February; Cocos in January; 

 Areca in April or May; Phoenix Canariensis 

 and P. reclinata from January to March; 

 and P. Roehelinii in January. 



Sow the seeds at once upon arrival because 

 they deteriorate very rapidly. A good seed 

 soil for palms may be made from three or four 

 parts of peat, one of rotted sod and one of 

 sand. To this add some finely broken 



