In the Temperate House we were amazed by the stupendous
specimen of the Chilean Wine Palm, Jubaea chilensis, supposedly
the biggest glasshouse plant in the world, at some 20m tall and
weighing around 60 tons. It is so tall that in 1982 Her Majesty
the Queen planted a young specimen facing the giant in preparation
for the day when it may have to be sacrificed before it literally
bursts through the glass roof. In the meantime, this spectacular
palm is so at home that it produces quantities of viable seeds every
year and has never even noticed that it's not growing in its native
Chile, but in London. It seems a shame that one day it may end up
as palm honey or palm wine. Instead I suggest that they open up
a hole in the roof of the Temperate House and let it poke through
its beautiful fronds and brave whatever future London winters may
serve it.
After the two groups changed places, we rallied
one last time at Jodrell for the conclusion of the official programme,
tea and biscuits, and the raffle of rare palms, and the new book,
"Palms & Cycads Around the World". The raffle was
a fund raising venture for the European Palm Society promoted by
the sales pitches of Tony King and Jacques Deleuze. E.P.S. stickers
with the Chamaerops insignia were also on sale. Dr. Dransfield gave
thanks to the organizers of the day, Martin Gibbons, David Cooke
and Eric Taylor, and bade all a fond farewell and suggested that
the next joint E.P.S./Fous de Palmiers get-together be in France.
I'll vote for that!
Officially the programme concluded at 5pm but we
hangers-on lingered, comparing photos, notes and experiences, until
we were in danger of being locked in the gardens overnight, still
reluctant to say goodbye and call it a day.
I think I can speak for everyone present, when saying
that Palm Day at Kew was a tremendous success (only one regret we
never managed to all assemble for a group photograph) and a fine
time was had by one and all.
Palm Day at Kew
