Cycas pectinata

[ESVA]

Wondering if anybody has tried Cycas pectinata far outside its natural cold hardiness zone. I've got 4 plants that I raised from seed (think I bought a pack of 5 seeds and 4 survived). Now they're around 6-inch caudex size and have outgrown indoor areas. Usually I put them outside for the summer and drag them back indoors for the winter with the first frost and winter them on an unheated enclosed porch which usually stays around 30-40F (which is good for inducing clivias to flower) but temp;s can go down to 20F if teens or single digits outside. Usually the leaves get burned off / turn brown, but once temps warm up I put the cycads back outside. cut off the old ragged leaves and they set a new flush of leaves.  But it's a hassle and would be nice if they could survive in the ground here in Zone 8a/7b through the winter with the leaves cut off waiting for spring to flush a new set. 

 

Once set a pot of the common rabbits foot fern (Davallia fejeensis) outside and it escaped into the garden and survived for about a decade. Its leaves would be burned off once winter set in but new fronds would sprout come spring. It did eventually succumb but not sure when. I had to cut down a large sterile native red maple and once I did so the formerly shaded area got full sun and honeysuckle and wiregrass got a foothold and smothered a lot of the shade plants. 

[climate change virginia]

Do all cycads kill cats?

[ESVA]

I'm not sure. I think the only carnivorous cycad is Dioon catusipula. 

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

I have 500 pectinata and they seem to be quite hardy. I'd classify them as solid zone 9a cycads. 

Evidentally this species is scale resistant and will do just fine in florida. 

[climate change virginia]

2 hours ago, ESVA said:

I'm not sure. I think the only carnivorous cycad is Dioon catusipula. 

I mean by poison

[PalmatierMeg]

5 minutes ago, climate change virginia said:

I mean by poison

I believe most cycads are poisonous. Dogs are in more danger from cycads because of their chewing habit. I know cats nibble grass but I've never heard of a cat eating a cycad. Cats are obligate carnivores whereas dogs are omnivorous.

[climate change virginia]

4 minutes ago, PalmatierMeg said:

I believe most cycads are poisonous. Dogs are in more danger from cycads because of their chewing habit. I know cats nibble grass but I've never heard of a cat eating a cycad. Cats are obligate carnivores whereas dogs are omnivorous.

my cat chews and sniffs anything and everything so i dont think a cycad would be a good option for me