Description

Bojer reports that the screw propelling Steamer 'Calcutta' has arrived from Point de Galle and brought Hooker's letter of 20 Dec 1852, announcing the safe arrival of the 'Coco de Mer' by the 'Queen of the South'. Bojer was concerned for the plant, having heard that the 'Queen of the South' was detained for weeks at the Cape to make machinery repairs meaning it arrived in England in the midst of winter. But Bojer instructs Hooker not to despair of cultivating the plant in RBG Kew's stoves [hot houses]. He assures Hooker that the plant is very hardy, has very slow growth and may, in fact, remain stationary for years, but will not perish. Bojer also instructs Hooker to remove the black earth he packed the nut in for stability during travel and have the nut only partly covered in its native soil even though it is poor quality and composed of sand and stiff yellow ferruginous clay. He further instructs that the plant needs plenty of sun light and the cask containing it should be well drained. Page 1 of 3.

Description

Bojer reports that the screw propelling Steamer 'Calcutta' has arrived from Point de Galle and brought Hooker's letter of 20 Dec 1852, announcing the safe arrival of the 'Coco de Mer' by the 'Queen of the South'. Bojer was concerned for the plant, having heard that the 'Queen of the South' was detained for weeks at the Cape to make machinery repairs meaning it arrived in England in the midst of winter. But Bojer instructs Hooker not to despair of cultivating the plant in RBG Kew's stoves [hot houses]. He assures Hooker that the plant is very hardy, has very slow growth and may, in fact, remain stationary for years, but will not perish. Bojer also instructs Hooker to remove the black earth he packed the nut in for stability during travel and have the nut only partly covered in its native soil even though it is poor quality and composed of sand and stiff yellow ferruginous clay. He further instructs that the plant needs plenty of sun light and the cask containing it should be well drained. Page 1 of 3.