A little advice for my new Cycad
A little advice for my new Cycad
I have wanted to get a Cycad for a long time but the high price put me off. I decided to get a little one in a sale today and just wanted some advice. Firstly, would one this small survive in the ground and, if not, what are general tips on keeping it. It would be in a conservatory I think.
Re: A little advice for my new Cycad
Mine lived for 7 years in the conservatory quite happily. It's not heated but hasn't got proper double glazed doors into it from the house so I guess it got some heat from the house although it felt very cold in there... I used to water it sparingly if at all during winter, and gave it more in summer according to how quickly it dried out.
Your main problem if you keep it in the conservatory is going to be finding a place to put it where it won't scorch.. There are pictures of mine in my first posts when I joined which had just that damage. Mine also started leaning towards the light eventually even though it was getting enough to burn. They do seem to be pretty tough plants as well as being rather lovely, I'm glad you found one to buy yourself
Your main problem if you keep it in the conservatory is going to be finding a place to put it where it won't scorch.. There are pictures of mine in my first posts when I joined which had just that damage. Mine also started leaning towards the light eventually even though it was getting enough to burn. They do seem to be pretty tough plants as well as being rather lovely, I'm glad you found one to buy yourself
Re: A little advice for my new Cycad
It looks a very nice Cycad,
If possible don't leave it out in winter, fronds tend to go yellow.
If possible don't leave it out in winter, fronds tend to go yellow.
Re: A little advice for my new Cycad
Thanks guys. I think if it can't be outside all year it will stay in the consevatory. Fortunately, although my conservatory is very bright, there is not much direct sunlight so hopefully it won't get scorched. I presume keep it well watered in spring/summer ..... what about feeding?
Re: A little advice for my new Cycad
I bought a tub of fertilizer from Nigel,
http://www.hardy-palms.co.uk/category.asp?section=15
The bottled Palm Focus is also for palms in pots.
http://www.hardy-palms.co.uk/category.asp?section=15
The bottled Palm Focus is also for palms in pots.
Re: A little advice for my new Cycad
I bought one of similar size some 12-15 years ago. It spent Summer in the garden and Winter in an unheated greenhouse.
This is pretty normal practice for Cycads grown in the UK.
6 years ago I thought 'okay little guy, let's give you a try planted outside against a south facing wall'. And guess what? It does fine! It has even thrown 3 'pups' since being out in the great outdoors.
The only protection I give it is to throw a blanket over it when it gets really cold. Sometimes annoyingly, the wind will lift the blanket to expose some of the leaves - this will turn the exposed leaves to straw. But as a bonus, the Cycad will flush each year, usually the 2nd week of June.
This is pretty normal practice for Cycads grown in the UK.
6 years ago I thought 'okay little guy, let's give you a try planted outside against a south facing wall'. And guess what? It does fine! It has even thrown 3 'pups' since being out in the great outdoors.
The only protection I give it is to throw a blanket over it when it gets really cold. Sometimes annoyingly, the wind will lift the blanket to expose some of the leaves - this will turn the exposed leaves to straw. But as a bonus, the Cycad will flush each year, usually the 2nd week of June.
Re: A little advice for my new Cycad
Thats the only thing I don't like about Cycads..the yellowing. Mine eventually pulled so I recycled it last year. I am more into Trachicarpus these days.this will turn the exposed leaves to straw.
I have one Cycad which Redsquirrel gave me which is sprouting from around the caudex, about four...they made a small headway over winter.