Editorial
Martin Gibbons, c/o The Palm Centre
Chamaerops No. 12, published online 23-09-2002
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Three Years On
With the publication of this issue we come to the
end of our third year, incredible, as it may seem. We're all three
years older and hopefully, so are our plants. I thought I'd take
this opportunity, as Editor, to express my appreciation to those
regular contributors who have helped to make Chamaerops so popular,
so interesting and so readable. I would also like to thank all other
members who have written articles or letters, for publication or
not, who in so doing let me know that there are people 'out there'
who like our journal, as well as those who have helped or supported
in other ways.
My gripes? So few articles from non-U.K. members,
although we have hundreds. Each time I compile the contents page
I run down the list of authors. Almost always its 'U.K.', 'U.K.',
'U.K.', and this birthday issue is a case in point. I was most anxious
from the outset to make Chamaerops a European journal, not an Anglo-centric
magazine flying under Euro-colours, and almost half our membership
is non-U.K. We have members in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile,
Denmark, Eire, Finland, France, Fiji, Germany, Greece, Indonesia,
Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania,
Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the U. S.
A. Not everyone goes on elaborate palm-expeditions of course, or
owns an extensive collection of exotic plants, but surely everybody
has some tale to tell about the pleasures and pains of growing palms
or other exotic plants in their particular corner of the world.
How difficult is it to buy palms in Finland? Do
you ever get frost in Greece? Can you grow any species outside in
Norway? Is Saudi Arabia all sand? Is Morocco too hot for Trachycarpus?
Do you have to heat your glasshouse in Austria? How about that famous
Chilean native palm that we all know and love? How does it grow
at home? Are there Botanic Gardens in Turkey? These are just some
of the questions that I would like to see answers to, in the form
of letters or articles. My dream would be to publish an issue made
up entirely of contributions from members living on the other side
of the Channel. So how about it?
As I've said many times before, if English is not
your first language, it's not a problem. I'll be delighted to tidy
it up if necessary. Alternatively, we may be able to get your article
translated. But I can't do anything without your help. I am pleased
to say that we don't seem to have any shortage of interesting articles;
it's just that I would like to broaden our catchment area.
Nice Get-together
On the subject of our widespread membership, you
will find with this issue details of our proposed meeting in the
south of France, next summer. Our last meeting, at Kew, was a great
success and much enjoyed by all those who came, many from long distances.
Please take the time to read the letter, and to fill in the questionnaire
so we can begin to make definite plans. Did you know that the sun
always shines in the south of France? Did you know that there are
at least a dozen wonderful gardens full to the brim with all manner
of exotica? More palms than you could poke a stick at? If you've
already visited you will understand the wisdom of the selection
of Nice as the epicentre of our get-together, if not, come along
and find out.
Wanted In Worcester
Calling all Worcesterites!! We have an invitation
from the organisers of the Malvern Spring Gardening Show (6th/8th
May 1994) to promote our society there. Not only does it cost nothing
to take a small stand there, they will actually pay £25 towards
expenses! So those living within striking distance who would like
to help, please get in touch. (You probably get in free, too!)
Sefton Park
A little bird told me that at Sefton Park there
is a big old semi-derelict glasshouse with a few relict palms still
growing in it, or more precisely, through it. Butias were mentioned.
Perhaps someone who lives in the area would like to cut along and
investigate and, dare I say, write it up? These palms, whatever
they are, would be living reminders of the Golden Age of the glasshouse,
and would have an interesting tale to tell, but they need some assistance
from a local reporter.
Trachy Trip
Toby Spanner and I had a great time in China and
India in October, and saw three of the four species of Trachycarpus
that we set out to find. They were: Trachycarpus nanus, T. martianus
and T. takil. The fourth one eluded us, and needs a return visit.
We had a real adventure and saw some incredible sights and scenery.
Perhaps the most exciting and somehow satisfying thing was to find
T. martianus growing by the hundred on sheer rock faces in North-east
India, just as it always has done. It is a beautiful tree and deserves
to be more commonly grown. The story will be written up in a later
issue. Meanwhile enjoy this one! M.G.
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