Cycas revoluta x debaoensis experiences

[Chris Chance]

I have this hybrid and time looking to plant it soon. I'm sure it's plenty cold hardy for my area but I would like to hear how it's doing for others. What kind of light requirements as in full sun or filtered? Also let's see some photos of others if you got them!

[Josue Diaz]

Hey Chris, i planted some large ones like that 2 years ago in full sun in Fresno. They shrunk back, presumably from too much sun and probably not enough water. They're finally back at a point where i feel they've established their roots and should begin to grow to their normal size for their age this year.

[Chris Chance]

Thanks for the info Josue! Mine is still pretty small and has basically been in a shade house. The sun gets pretty intense here during the summer so I almost wonder if it's better to plant where it's not quite in full sun. Gotta love the forked leaves.

[Merlyn]

I planted a Rev x Deb and a Panz x Deb last fall, they had a couple of leaves about the size of the tiniest one in your photo.  They are next to each other in part sun, but that area will transition to full sun from about May-October.  Both survived the mild winter and are looking like they are about to flush.  I won't know how they handle full sun until later this year, but as seedlings in quart pots they handled pretty close to full sun here in the Orlando area.

[Tracy]

On 3/29/2020 at 1:05 PM, Chris Chance said:

Thanks for the info Josue! Mine is still pretty small and has basically been in a shade house. The sun gets pretty intense here during the summer so I almost wonder if it's better to plant where it's not quite in full sun. Gotta love the forked leaves.

Hi Chris,  if you are worried about full sun then give it am sun and pm shade.  I've not tried the hybrid but have C debaoensis in much milder sun here that does best with that am 2/3rds day sun.  The ones in less sun tend to be slower but they look good.  I know the revoluta in the mix gives you better cold tolerance and probably more sun tolerance but your temps are much higher in the summer than I ever see.  Just a suggestion based on general knowledge as opposed to experience with the hybrid or your conditions.  Photos of the mature ones shows they can get big, so don't forget to give it room.  Show us the results when you settle on a spot.

[Josue Diaz]

Here is my largest revoluta x deboaensis. Working on its second flush this year

[rprimbs]

They will take full all day inland sun, but I think that they look better in the shade.  I moved mine into the shade and the new stems have a brown color that contrasts with the leaves.   It is now one of my favorite Cycas. 

[Merlyn]

Rev x Deb (or Rev x Multifrondis) are definitely some of my favorites.  I have 6 in the ground and another 2 or 3 still in pots.  They are in a mix of full sun to part shade, and do fine in both.  One thing they appear to not like too much is pure sand.  One I had in the front yard was in a super sandy area and just never grew.  It seemed healthy enough, just didn't get bigger.  Two others from the same batch I planted in moderately rich sandy soil and they are now almost 3x as big after 2-3 years in the ground.

[SailorBold]

I really need about 8 or 9 of these..

[rprimbs]

Here's one growing in full all day inland sun.

[Chris Chance]

Great to see how other's are doing! Mine is planted and doing awesome here. It gets shade up until about 3 pm and seems to like the spot. 

[Josue Diaz]

Feels like mine is finally feeling at home - nice flush coming in.  

[Patrick]

I'm actually about to dig mine up. They are growing poorly in part sun. Don't worry, it's not them; it's me! My planting location is not ideal. I need to mix up a good soil for a pot and then move them to 5 Gallon cans. 

Edited August 25, 2023 by Patrick

[amh]

My potted NTCHP revolutaXdebaoensis is currently flushing. I've noticed that this hybrid can handle a lot more sun than a pure "C. debaoensis".

I have some small revolutaXmultifrondis, but they are still ambiguous.

[Chris Chance]

So an update on mine. I thought it was starting to flush about a week ago. I trimmed the smaller leaves to clean up a bit. Today I noticed it looks like there's a cone instead of a flush.