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Filled with enthusiasm by the cold tolerance of Rhaphidophora peepla in the greenhouse, I determined to try some of the other species
that are available thanks to the current boom in interest in house plants. I have long admired Rhaphidophora tetrasperma and it was good to have an excuse to grow it
and see whether cold tolerance was a trait that ran through the genus. Plants of the World online says: "The native range of this species is Peninsula Thailand to Peninsula Malaysia. It is a climber and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome." Which was not the most encouraging news. The house plant websites are packed with enthusiasm however hortology.co.uk cautions that it: "is easy to care for but prefers things warm and humid." It turns out to be true. Mine turned black and died in the greenhouse as the weather cooled. I have seen a plant grown outside close to the sea in Penzance that failed to survive the first winter. I am sure there are other cold tolerant Rhaphidophora but it is not an attribute that extends to the whole genus. |
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| 17th August 2022 | ||