Well over a century ago the British Admiralty required all naval vessels to carry stocks of limes as part of the food intake for sailors to prevent them suffering from scurvy, a nasty horrible disease related to Vitamin C deficiency which could immobilise an entire ship’s company. It is now ancient history, of course, that this was the origin of the term ‘Limey,’ an Americanism to describe the English. The practice of giving a gin and tonic a twist of lime, or of using it in a rum punch was inspirational, and maybe not wholly unconnected with its original use. Just a more agreeable way of taking lime juice.
Limes and lemons were introduced into England over four hundred years ago, and the Orangery became one of the features of the great (and highly competitive) houses of Britain. Usually they were large, light, airy, unheated buildings which were, and often still are, filled with tubs of the most gloriously scented plants known to man. I doubt there is anyone in Guyana suffering from Vitamin C deficiency as citrus like almost everything else grows so easily. Often the problem is not getting them to grow but keeping them within bounds. Anyway, citrus in containers are well worth a try. In Barbados it is possible to buy small wooden rum casks which are ideal for growing citrus and many other plants. Containerised citrus need good anchorage, and the compost used should be along the lines of two parts of good loam (with plenty of grass root fibre if possible), one part well-rotted cow mould, and charcoal as a sweetener. There should be plenty of good drainage in the base. Broken plant pots are excellent for drainage.
Young plants of lime or tangerine grown from seed, or the grafted plants of the thin-skinned Valencia orange should be potted using a rammer to firm the soil in the pot so that it is really, really hard. This is very important, as the last thing you want to happen is for the plant to wobble about when it is being carried or exposed to a breeze. The nutrition in the cow mould should last for a few weeks, but then additional fertilizer will be needed sparingly every ten days or so. I say sparingly, because growth has to be controlled in containers which are going to be used in the home. You don’t want plants ten or twenty feet high and across, cluttering up the view of the Young and the Restless. Plants should be on the small to medium side, beautifully shaped and balanced. A snip here and there to remove weak or straggly shoots is all that is required to keep them so, and ensure the production of young flowering shoots. During hot, dry weather all citrus and especially those grown in pots or tubs appreciate a light spraying in the afternoon. It helps to perk them up no end, and deters the dreaded red spider mite.
Ferns are moisture loving plants and generally prefer shade to bright sunshine. They can be grown very successfully in pots or in the ground in a patio type situation, but it is advisable to keep them protected from strong direct wind which can dry out the leaves very quickly. Given the space I think it is a very good idea to devote an area solely to the growing of a wide variety of ferns that can so enrich a plant collection. Of particular importance is the Adiantum (Maiden Hair ferns), Devallias (Rabbit foot ferns ), Nephrolepis (Ladder or Fish-tail ferns), Polypodiums (which include the Crested fern and the Birds nest fern) and the Cyrtostachys (Breadfruit fern) which is widely used for hanging baskets in Guyana. The Maiden Hair fern is the most delicate of all those I have just mentioned, and is the one most likely to suffer in drying conditions. All for now. May your God go with you wherever you are. Take care on our highways and don’t forget your plants.