A personal treat for me was seeing two varieties
of Cocos nucifera - the Coconut Palm, probably my favourite palm
for its beauty and all that it represents to man in that favoured
band encircling the globe, known as the tropics. I had often read
that it was impossible to grow coconut palms indoors even under
the most perfect of conditions, and didn't really expect to find
any at Kew. But there they were. Dr Dransfield's expert opinion
was that only the height of the greenhouse would inhibit the healthy
development (and presumably, fruiting) of Cocos nucifera when the
proper conditions are met. Perhaps one day they'll be harvesting
coconuts in the Palm House.
As an aside, and speaking of coconuts, Kew had a
nice specimen of the mystical double coconut, Lodoicea maldivica.
Unfortunately, the electric warming cables that were heating the
bed in which it was growing suffered a thermostat malfunction, and
the poor thing was cooked alive. David took the opportunity during
his earlier talk to ask if any Palm Society member visiting the
Seychelles could bring back a double coconut to replace it. Both
Kew and David would be most grateful and promise to take good care
of the donation.
The reconstruction of the Palm House included a
marine exhibit located underground below the central transept. Since
it is so much cooler than the glasshouse above, many visitors lingered
there to talk. But if you thought it was hot at ground level, all
you had to do was ascend the intricate wrought iron spiral staircase
up to the catwalk that encircles the main area. The view was breath
taking, and so were the heat and humidity - definitely Amazonian!
When you returned to ground level, it actually felt cool, and once
outdoors, the lovely 22c London day seemed almost bracing, further
proof that everything is relative.
Palm Day at Kew
