Cycad cones and flushes

[virtualpalm]

Great photos! My Florida coontie seeds I got from a Holiday Inn are germinating out on my back patio, thanks to a good stretch of 90 degree days. I'll be planting some of them in the woods throughout the state.

Jay, although I believe your intentions are good, I would encourage you NOT to plant unknown coonties in the woods anywhere in the state. There are different forms in different parts of the state (some scientists even consider there to be at least two distinct species here in FL), and there is not much good morphological, genetic, or ecological information in the literature on them yet. People planting out different forms (or species) in different areas will confuse the situation even more than it already is. Now, if you have a plot of land in Tally that lacks coonties, then that would be fine to plant some out. But PLEASE do not go planting uknown plants in any natural area.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation. Feel free to contact me privately if you have any questions or would like to discuss this issue further (jody@cycadconservation.org).

Kindest regards,

Jody

--------------

Jody Haynes

President, The Cycad Society, Inc. (www.cycad.org)

Secretary, IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group (www.cycadsg.org)

[tropicalb]

natalensis x woodii new flush:

[tropicalb]

close ups.....SUPER fuzzy:

[tropicalb]

come on horridus cone cone CONE!!!!

aemulans fuzz:

[BS Man about Palms]

i can't stand the sight of cycads...please stop posting photos.

What? Are you trying to channel Paul? (Pohonkelapa)

[epicure3]

Here's my contribution. Took these this morning.

The first one is E. Villosus anf the 3rd is E. Ferox. If anyone can ID the one in the middle, that would be great. Embarrassing, but great.

[jayfro6]

Great photos! My Florida coontie seeds I got from a Holiday Inn are germinating out on my back patio, thanks to a good stretch of 90 degree days. I'll be planting some of them in the woods throughout the state.

Jay, although I believe your intentions are good, I would encourage you NOT to plant unknown coonties in the woods anywhere in the state. There are different forms in different parts of the state (some scientists even consider there to be at least two distinct species here in FL), and there is not much good morphological, genetic, or ecological information in the literature on them yet. People planting out different forms (or species) in different areas will confuse the situation even more than it already is. Now, if you have a plot of land in Tally that lacks coonties, then that would be fine to plant some out. But PLEASE do not go planting uknown plants in any natural area.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation. Feel free to contact me privately if you have any questions or would like to discuss this issue further (jody@cycadconservation.org).

Kindest regards,

Jody

--------------

Jody Haynes

President, The Cycad Society, Inc. (www.cycad.org)

Secretary, IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group (www.cycadsg.org)

Good point Jody. I saw some of the Fanning Springs form last week in SE Gilchrist County. If I don't get some friends with better micro-climates , I may donate them to FSU.

[edbrown_III]

Heres a hybrid C. robenii 3 way cross of C. revolutaxC. taitugensis by C. diananensis

has hybrid vigor large wid leaves and cold hardiness.

[edbrown_III]

photo didnt post for some reason

[Cycadcenter]

Macrozamia johnsonii with 10 male cones, we recently trimmed it up for the first time in 5 years.

Cudex diameter is about 30"

Encephalartos lehmanni "Kirkwood Form" with a newly hardened off flush

Encephalartos concinnus with a flush of about 20 leaves emerging. Had to cut off all the old leaves as a tree branch fell on it.

Bruce

[tropicalb]

i can't stand the sight of cycads...please stop posting photos.

What? Are you trying to channel Paul? (Pohonkelapa)

pretty good impersonation huh Bill?

[tropicalb]

Here's my contribution. Took these this morning.

The first one is E. Villosus anf the 3rd is E. Ferox. If anyone can ID the one in the middle, that would be great. Embarrassing, but great.

looks like some form of natalensis to me.....

[epicure3]

Here's my contribution. Took these this morning.

The first one is E. Villosus anf the 3rd is E. Ferox. If anyone can ID the one in the middle, that would be great. Embarrassing, but great.

looks like some form of natalensis to me.....

Thanks.

[Urban Rainforest]

Thats what I'm talkin about . Thanks so much to everyone who posted. Those are AWESOME pics each and every one!

Stevo

[han]

Thats what I'm talkin about . Thanks so much to everyone who posted. Those are AWESOME pics each and every one!

Stevo

Really enjoy the great and colorful pictures. Here is my cycas growing in Malaysia that has just started to cone

[Kris]

Good heavens ! I simply love this thread friends...

Stunning simply.......

Love,

Kris

[freakypalmguy]

I forgot a couple,

Another E. nat X horridus

[freakypalmguy]

Dioon merolae, one of my favorite Dioons

Closer shot of the flushing leaf

Closer

Closer, I love that peach fuzz

[Cycadcenter]

This is pretty rare..........maybe the first time in USA

A female Encephalartos cycadifolius coning in the garden. The fuzz on the cone is about 1/4" thick.

Anyone have any male pollen????

Bruce

[BS Man about Palms]

This is pretty rare..........maybe the first time in USA

A female Encephalartos cycadifolius coning in the garden. The fuzz on the cone is about 1/4" thick.

Anyone have any male pollen????

Bruce

My frail 2 leafer is a long way away...

[Urban Rainforest]

Bruce, That cone is mind blowingly beautifull!!! Thanks for posting! Adding to wish list .

Stevo

[LJG]

For whatever reason my cycads are not flushing yet like all you guys. Here are the only two of some 60 flushing:

Microcycas calocoma

I got 5 new leaves coming

Zamia encephalartoides - this one had all the leaves burn off last year when I planted it out from the pot. Almost a year later it is finally pushing.

[Urban Rainforest]

E. Princeps new flush. I love this one! When they first emerge with the brown fuzz they look like rabbits foots. I counted at least 12 fronds and 2 rows .

I am far from a Cycad expert so I need some expert Cycad ID help. I bought this Cycad as E. Princeps from a very reputable So Cal grower. I had another very reputable So Cal grower over at my house one day and they said that they thought it could be Lehmannii possibly the Kirkwood form. I have noticed now that the leaves are emerging more that they have the same coloration as Matts "Freaky palm guy" Lehmannii. One thing differant from this cycad and other Lehmannii's I have grown is the tan brown coloration to the top of the flush. Some of the fronds have stacked leaflets and some don't. What say you experts ?

Stevo

[Urban Rainforest]

Here is a closeup of the new flush.

Stevo

[Urban Rainforest]

For whatever reason my cycads are not flushing yet like all you guys. Here are the only two of some 60 flushing:

Microcycas calocoma

I got 5 new leaves coming

Zamia encephalartoides - this one had all the leaves burn off last year when I planted it out from the pot. Almost a year later it is finally pushing.

Dewd, That Microcycas is da bomb! Yeah, those zamias are pretty tough. Last year I planted a Zamia Standleyi and just as it started to flush one of my dogs stepped on it and broke it off. A week later it flushed again .

Stevo

[LJG]

Steve, I can't believe how many plants you have flushing. Wonder if I am doing something wrong.

[Urban Rainforest]

Steve, I can't believe how many plants you have flushing. Wonder if I am doing something wrong.

I doubt that Len. Mine are just happily thriving on neglect .

Stevo

[Cycadcenter]

Some photos of Enc. friderici-guilielmii in varying stages of flushing in the garden

[tropicalb]

nice Bruce!

[Kris]

Very Nice Visuals Gentlemen,Don't stop now ! Keep playing the music...

[freakypalmguy]

E. Princeps new flush. I love this one! When they first emerge with the brown fuzz they look like rabbits foots. I counted at least 12 fronds and 2 rows .

I am far from a Cycad expert so I need some expert Cycad ID help. I bought this Cycad as E. Princeps from a very reputable So Cal grower. I had another very reputable So Cal grower over at my house one day and they said that they thought it could be Lehmannii possibly the Kirkwood form. I have noticed now that the leaves are emerging more that they have the same coloration as Matts "Freaky palm guy" Lehmannii. One thing differant from this cycad and other Lehmannii's I have grown is the tan brown coloration to the top of the flush. Some of the fronds have stacked leaflets and some don't. What say you experts ?

Stevo

Hi Steve,

No expert, just a Rookie here but, recalling what Phil taught about the difference between E. lehmanii and E. princeps, the best way to tell is by looking at the orientation of the leaflets to the petiole. E. lehmanii has leaflets that lay flat in a plane whereas E. princeps leaflets look back at the caudex or are angled inward. It's hard to tell from your pictures, but it appears your Cycads leaflets do angle toward the caudex. Get another picture showing this orientation on the outer portion of the leaves (the terminal end, I believe this is where it is most prevalent).

Matt

[LJG]

Steve a good 'field test' is pinch the bottom of the rachis and then slide your hand up the back. If you are smooth, it is E. lehmanii. If you feel speed bumps, it is E. Princeps. Once done, have a smoke and cold shower. Probably made no damn sense?? But the reasoning is due to what Matt pointed out.

[George Sparkman]

Hi Steve,

I would lean towards E.lehmannii although a close-up of the end of the older leave could shed more light on it.

To be "Kirkwood" it would have to be tighter.

George Sparkman

Cycads-n-Palms.com

[Cycadcenter]

The frontside of leaflets of princeps are blue the backsides are green

Lehmannii both sides are blue

[BS Man about Palms]

Isn't there a "color" difference where the leaf joins the caudex too? Tan/yellow versus sort of white?

[Surf Guy]

O.K. It's my turn. Here are pix of my E. lehmanii. It last flushed in Jan. '08. It took three months for the fronds to completely harden I only got five fronds that time. This time around I am getting ten and the fronds will be finished hardening in about five weeks. Here are the pix.

Mike

[Surf Guy]

Couple More.

[Urban Rainforest]

Thanks for all your help guys on my Cycad ID. I am pretty sure It is Lehmanii after looking at Mike "surf guys" Lehmanii. The new flush on mine looks identical to his. Also the leaflets are blue on both sides and the lower leaflets to not curve back towards the caudex.

Len, I decided to forgo the speedbump test, take up smoking and the shower thing as I gave blood last week when I weeded all my Encephalartos . I am enjoying a coldie though . BTW Mike, That is an awesome Kirkwood!

Stevo

[cycadjungle]

After a low of 16F this season, probably 80% of my outside cycads had leaf damage of some sort. Even the faster growing Dioon edule types had some leaf damage, so I have cut the bad leaves off. Now, I must have at least 500 plants flushing right now, but I thought I would send in this picture of the male edule pushing out the new leaves.

[tropicalb]

NICE Tom....

a lot of people generally "pooh pooh" edules, yet most don't realize what a beautiful plant they are once they get some size to them. Thanks for the example!