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WINTER GARDENS-CONSERVATORIES |
Most of the products of The Palm Center are of tropical and subtropical nature and therefore can be cultivated outdoors only under certain conditions and areas. Nevertheless, most of these products are suitable for indoors cultivation. With “indoors” it is meant inside of buildings. Often limited sunlight through the windows is insufficient for the cultivation of many plant species. For the cultivation of sizeable and attractive plants at indoors, designs have been made with high ceilings and with top ceiling windows. Mankind has explored ways to feel close to nature after having been separated from nature as a result of industrial revolution. Resultantly “Winter Gardens” and “Conservatories” have been created. These are indoor areas with sufficient lighting and heating, suitable for the cultivation of various plants. Generally “Winter Gardens” are annexed to living rooms, e.g. an annexed balcony, or a part of the living room units or even a detached Green House type. For designing of Winter Gardens, heating, insulation, air circulation need to be considered in addition to sunlight reception. In the so-designed indoor garden environment, to maintain the desired microclimate a separation e.g. a door, from the other spaces of the house is required. A common mistake made in our country in the maintenance of green house type winter gardens, is the provision of insufficient air circulation. This is why more plants have difficulty and often die during summer months as a result of too high temperatures in such areas as compared to outdoors. It is also obvious that at higher temperatures many soil and plant pests are more active. It is possible to keep any type of plant in a suitable winter garden. However, care should be taken in plant type selection. Fast growing trees, plants growing easily outdoors, or those which can get stressed indoors, should be avoided. Poisonous plants and those having thorns are also not suitable for indoors, particularly in homes with young children and pets. Often personal preferences govern the choice of plants. However, the requirements of the plants and their harmony should also be considered. It is obvious that desert plants will not be suitable in a high temperature humid environment. |
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We have chosen some plants for you, that suitable for Winter Gardens and Conservatories from our production range. You may wish to widen this selection; it is all depend of your creativity and knowledge of plants. |
PALMS Chamadorea palms are suitable for cultivation indoors and in winter gardens. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) is a member of this family, most resistant to sunlight. Others prefer shady environment and their leaves get damaged when receiving direct sunlight. |
Bambu Palm (Chamaedorea microspadix) and Stemless Chamaedorea (Chamaedorea radicalis) are the two frost resistant members of this family. These can be conveniently selected in areas with limited heating. |
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Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans) is suitable for small and limited height areas. Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) should be selected for high ceiling and large areas. >>>>> Golden Cane Palm=Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) and Sentry Palm=Kentia Palm (Howea forsteriana) are attractive palms which have been popular indoor plants for centuries. >>>>> Majestic Palm (Ravanea rivularis) and Fish Tail Palms (Caryota mitis, Caryota urens) are attractive and interesting palms for keeping in high ceiling indoors spaces with plentiful light. |
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Chinese Livistona (Livistona chinensis) this palm, which is not so well known in our country, is frequently used in European Winter Gardens because of its large, shiny leaves, and as it grows very slowly>>>>> |
Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is one of the ideal plants for winter gardens with plentiful light. >>>>> |
CYCADS Cardboard Palm (Zamia furfuracea), Indian Cycas (Cycas Thouarsii) Japanese Cycas (Cycas revaluta) and Dioon spinulosum (Dioon spinulosum) are very attractive fossil plants suitable for cultivation in Winter Gardens.>>>>> |
STRELITZIA AND BANANA PLANTS We recommend Strelitzia=Bird of Paradise Plant (Strelitzia regina), Dwarf Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia regina juncea) for smaller areas, Golden Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia regina Gold) for collectors and Ornamental Banana (Musa ornata) as a compact beauty of Banana family member. >>>>> For large and high ceiling spaces, in addition to the above species, Giant Strelitzia (Strelitzia nicolai), Red Banana (Esnete ventricosum maurellii) and for the ambitious, Travellers Palm (Ravanala madagascariensis), are indispensable for creating a tropical atmosphere. |
SUCCULENTS Selection
from this group is very wide, however, will be less if the
plant environment is not designed for cacti only. Here, our
recommendations are as follows: Jade Plant (Crassula
ovata),
Aloe Vera (Aloe
vera miller or A.vera
spp)
which has become fashionable in our country recently,
despite having been used in medicine for 2000 years, Despite being desert plants, Nolinas (Beucarnea recurvata, Beucarnea longifolia) are indispensable selections for Winter Gardens, because of their elegant and interesting stem and their adaptability to indoor climates. They are often used in Europe and United States in Winter Gardens. >>>>> |
If the Winter Garden contains a water environment element, Dwarf Nymphaea (Nymphaea spp.) may be kept in small ponds or the regular Nymphaea in deeper ponds with or without pots >>>>> Floating Plants: Water Cucumber (Pistia stratiotes), Water Hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) and, Water Lentil which available in our country, and its tropical cousin Eared Watermoss (Salvinia auriculata) can be selected. Umbrella Plant (Cyperus alternifolius) and Papirus Plant (Cyperus papyrus) can be situated in or at the side of ponds. >>>>> Iris species, our Centre’s product Wild Iris (Dietes grandiflora) and Peacock Flower=Yellow Dietes (Dietes bicolar) are amongst the eligible plants..>>>>>> Different coloured Calla Lillies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) are attractive plants which can also be used. |
TROPICAL FRUITS There is a large selection of tropical fruits is available for large Winter Gardens. Banana species (Musa paradisiaca), known widely and with edible fruit, are at the top of the selection. For those who prefer challenge and have some experimentation with plants we recommend Pawpaw Tree (Carica papaya). Kumquat=Fortunella (Citrus fortunella microcarpa), Yellow Guave (Psidium guajava), Strawberry Guave (Psidium littorale) are suitable and easily fruit bearing trees at indoors. Kumquat (Citrus fortunella microcarpa) and Natal Wild Plum (Carissa grandiflora), Peppino (Solanum muricatum), Dwarf Pomegrenade (Punica granatum nana) are suitable for smaller Winter Gardens. |