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Palms so pretty
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Livistona species are ideal to be grown as houseplants
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GO VERDANT A green fan for your house
Only a few of the many species in the genus Livistona belonging to the family Palmae are suitable for use as house plants and only two species are widely grown. They are seen in the warmer places of Asia and Australia.
Livistona Australis or Australian fan palm has dark green leaves with slender stalks up to 18 inches long. The trunk is initially covered with whorls of dead leaves and long rough prickly fibres. Livistona Chinesis or Chinese fan palm or fountain palm is unusual from other palms in that it remains almost shrub - like about six feet in diameter and four feet tall.
In the wild these palms can develop into tall trees, but those grown in pots remain small stem less shrubs. The trunk is erect and swollen at the base. Glossy dark green leaves have toothed stalks, two feet long and two feet wide, deeply cut along much of their length. The uncut lower portion looks pleated. Cream-coloured flowers are borne in summer followed by glossy olive green to purplish fruits about one inch in diameter.
Grow Livistona in bright-filtered light without much direct sunlight. They prefer fertile most well drained soil and occasional feeding. An annual top dressing with fresh potting mixture is necessary. Propagation is by seeds. Livistona is suitable for growing as a specimen plant.
CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN
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