Newly Aquired Cycads - Post Yours

[Billeb]

Searched this forum for a place to post newly acquired Cycads of all types but couldn’t find a thread. Cycas, Encephalartos, Macrozamia, Dioon, Lepidozamia etc. Whatever is new to you or somewhat newly aquired, let’s see em. 
 

-dale 

[Billeb]

My garden and purchasing of plants is pretty new and I’m continuing to procure. Here’s a couple I just got. 
 

-dale
 

Cycas Cairnsiana 

 

Encephalartos Middleburgensis 

 

 

[Navarro]

Es increíble la facilidad que hay en América en encontrar encephalartos comparado con europa ,aquí en Europa y estando conectados con África es más difícil por la poca disponibilidad que hay y los pocos que hay tienen un precio demasiado elevado 

[BillAndy]

I recently rescued and repotted this Encephalartos Manikensis. 

[BillAndy]

Dioon Mejiae (1st pic)

Dioon Spinulosum (2nd Pic)

Cycas Thoursii pup (3rd Pic)

[Merlyn]

Here's an "unknown" hybrid Encephalartos from a CA grower.  This one was supposed to be from a batch of Horridus, but clearly is not.  He thinks it might be a Horridus x Longifolius, but I personally see more Lehmannii in it.  Either way it's an interesting plant and should make a good medium-sized plant for full sun:

[Billeb]

Here’s another I just got. No label on this guy but it’s unique traits had me curious so I pulled the trigger. Leaflets look to have the shape of Arenarius to me but as you can tell by the pics, very glossy on the top surface and dull on the lower.  Slight evidence of ribs on the underside also.  Definite Hybrid but what is the question??  I’m probably way off on the ID. 
 

-dale 

[GeneAZ]

looks like a flat-leaf ferox to me.  Healthy plant!

[Billeb]

11 minutes ago, GeneAZ said:

looks like a flat-leaf ferox to me.  Healthy plant!

Oh boy….that could be problematic in my real estate. Correction….lack of real estate! Thanks for the input Gene. I’m hoping your keen eye ID’ing these is lacking but wouldn’t be surprised if you are correct.  🤣😂

Ive got another one I’m going to post later. Your input is appreciated. 
 

-dale 

[Tracy]

1 hour ago, GeneAZ said:

looks like a flat-leaf ferox to me.  Healthy plant!

I won't disagree, but have seen some things change so much from this stage of development and from flush to flush, that I wouldn't be surprised if it were something different.  I was just looking at the first and second leaves on my baby (Encephalartos horridus x woodii) x (Encephalartos horridus x woodii), and the newer leaves appear quite different than the first.  It takes a lot of looking at little seedlings to be able to identify them young.  Getting them in a group or ruling out a particular species are a little easier for me than nailing the species id.

Dale I wish I had some new Cycads to share.  My last new seedlings were over 14 months ago.  I'm still waiting to hear if any of the seeds from last year's cones germinated.  Nothing thus far.

[BillAndy]

Planted these a couple of months ago. 
 

1. Zamia Angustifolia (seedling)

 

2. Zamia Lucayana(seedling)

 

3. Zamia Vazquezii

 

[Sr. Califas]

My newest and youngest addition. Nat-Hor X lehmannii.

And a few other new/young members.

😀

[Merlyn]

Here's two brand new additions, a Dioon Purpusii from PalmZilla and an Encephalartos Longifolius x Lehmannii from a random eBay seller:

[Billeb]

9 hours ago, Merlyn said:

Here's two brand new additions, a Dioon Purpusii from PalmZilla and an Encephalartos Longifolius x Lehmannii from a random eBay seller:

Good Roots ya got there!! I love any Hybrid with Longifolius. Should be super cool looking. 👍🏻

-dale

[Billeb]

Here’s another I picked up recently. Sold as Longifolius x Woodii. Input is welcome. 
 

-dale 

 

[Jubaea_James760]

11 hours ago, Merlyn said:

Here's two brand new additions, a Dioon Purpusii from PalmZilla and an Encephalartos Longifolius x Lehmannii from a random eBay seller:

Hmm, I wonder who that random ebay seller was ... 🤔 

 

Great addition choices 👍

[Merlyn]

13 hours ago, Jubaea_James760 said:

Hmm, I wonder who that random ebay seller was ... 🤔

Great addition choices 👍

Hah, I didn't even notice that was you...so I had to go check the box's shipping label.  Durrrrr....(smacks forehead)    I was thinking of getting one of the Caffer also, I have never tried that one.  Do you happen to know how cold-hardy it is?

[Merlyn]

15 hours ago, Billeb said:

Here’s another I picked up recently. Sold as Longifolius x Woodii. Input is welcome.

Longifolius x Woodii sounds like an interesting mix!  That's one that I would try, care to share your source?

I haven't had the greatest luck with pure Longifolius here.  I've left them either with a dripper or without, and they tend to lose all their fronds over the winter.  Lehmannii hybrids have done really well here, so I figured I'd try Longi x Lehmannii. 

[Jubaea_James760]

9 hours ago, Merlyn said:

Hah, I didn't even notice that was you...so I had to go check the box's shipping label.  Durrrrr....(smacks forehead)    I was thinking of getting one of the Caffer also, I have never tried that one.  Do you happen to know how cold-hardy it is?

Lol!

I don't know for certain but easily 9b id say IMHO. Coming from where it does in the Eastern Cape ( southern most Encephalartos) I'd say equal to if not more hardy than arenarius & horridus, especially because the trunk is subterranean. 

I've been meaning to get 1 or 2 in the ground here. Hopefully very soon 😁

 

[Tracy]

On 5/3/2023 at 1:07 PM, Merlyn said:

I was thinking of getting one of the Caffer also, I have never tried that one.  Do you happen to know how cold-hardy it is?

 

On 5/3/2023 at 10:52 PM, Jubaea_James760 said:

I'd say equal to if not more hardy than arenarius & horridus, especially because the trunk is subterranean. 

On the Encephalartos caffer, I always thought they were a bit more temperamental due to size of caudex being smaller.  I looked back on George Sparkman's recommended low for different cycads, and he had  Encephalartos caffer at 29F.  How it will perform in Florida versus west coast is another question due to rain there.  As we all know, we can't simply go on the climate zone ratings due to other factors that can determine survival.

Relative to comparing to Encephalartos arenarius and horridus, they will eventually have larger caudicies, which will help and both have significant subterranean growth before growing above ground.  Encephalartos horridus has a lower temperature range than does Encephalartos arenarius,  but both are rated closer to low 20's as opposed to E caffer.

Final comment on Encephalartos caffer is that in my garden, I have always found the smaller leaflet cycads more prone to scale problems and mealy bug infections.  So this would include Encephalartos caffer, cerinus and especially lanatus.    That's just one person's experience but worth being prepared for and monitoring with your specimens.

[Jubaea_James760]

2 hours ago, Tracy said:

On the Encephalartos caffer, I always thought they were a bit more temperamental due to size of caudex being smaller.  I looked back on George Sparkman's recommended low for different cycads, and he had  Encephalartos caffer at 29F. 

 My caffers have taken 29-30F in they're pots outside with no problems. Granted they were under some light tree cover. Cerinus show some promise for me. Both mine survived this miserable winter with an ultimate low of 20F with no major issues. They're planted up against my house, south facing with some overhead protection from the roof so that helped a bit. I'm really hoping caffer has some 9a hardiness to them 😁

[Merlyn]

Here's my most recent purchase from LivingCycads, clockwise from upper left a Dioon Holmgrenii, Encephalartos Arenarius (green), a Ceratozamia Hildae, and Encephalartos Arenarius (Blue):

[Navarro]

4 hours ago, Merlyn said:

Aquí está mi compra más reciente de LivingCycads, en el sentido de las agujas del reloj desde la parte superior izquierda, Dioon Holmgrenii, Encephalartos Arenarius (verde), Ceratozamia Hildae y Encephalartos Arenarius (azul):

Ese dioon holmgrenii es una golosina😍

[Billeb]

Just picked up this Encephalartos Munchii. Wasn’t looking but the price was too good to pass up. A 4” caudex grown from seed and recently potted up to a 15G. 
 

-dale

[Merlyn]

I was busy getting a new roof put on the house last week, so I forgot to label and take photos of these four from @Jubaea_James760:

[Billeb]

Encephalartos Middleburgensis x Dyerianus with a 3” caudex and a couple pups on either side. Leafs are a little beat up but after this flush I’m sure it’ll look better. 

-dale 

[amh]

I picked up some coonties at local nursery.

[Scott W]

Not newly acquired, as I created this hybrid and germinated from seed two years ago, but they are now starting to show split leaf with the third and fourth flush.

((Cycas Rev x Taitungensis) x diannanensis) x multifrondis 

First flush, no splits

Second flush, again no splits

Third and fourth flushes showing split leaf

[Billeb]

Continuing to check off boxes. Big haul today. 

Left to right….

Encephalartos Dolomiticus 

 

Encephalartos Nubimontanus

Encephalartos Longifolius x Princeps 

 

Also picked up a really good sized Princeps.

 

I’m done for awhile. The bank account can’t sustain this much longer! 🤣

-dale 

[tinman10101]

1 hour ago, Billeb said:

Continuing to check off boxes. Big haul today. 

Left to right….

Encephalartos Dolomiticus 

 

Encephalartos Nubimontanus

Encephalartos Longifolius x Princeps 

 

Also picked up a really good sized Princeps.

 

I’m done for awhile. The bank account can’t sustain this much longer! 🤣

-dale 

nice haul dale and very sought after ones as well.  i cant imagine the damage ... my wife would certainly not approve.  lol

[Tracy]

3 hours ago, tinman10101 said:

nice haul dale and very sought after ones as well.  i cant imagine the damage ... my wife would certainly not approve.  lol

I was thinking of the space requirements as they mature.  That is the challenge I am starting to experience in a smaller garden.  It isn't the worst problem to have but I am guessing Dale will experience some day too based on our conversation when he visited my home.

[Billeb]

20 minutes ago, Tracy said:

I was thinking of the space requirements as they mature.  That is the challenge I am starting to experience in a smaller garden.  It isn't the worst problem to have but I am guessing Dale will experience some day too based on our conversation when he visited my home.

Agreed Tracy. I’ve come to the realization that there’s gonna have to be potted cycads in my life. It’s unfortunate for many reasons but as you said…there’s only so much room.  I do wish they could all be grounded to experience their full potential but I am definitely going to have to pick and choose wisely. 
 

Could be worse I suppose. Poor me. 🤣
 

-dale 

[realarch]

Dale, some healthy looking cycads, what a score. As far as garden space, you’ll figure it out. The more room you have the more you plant……self control has finally become a learned behavior for me out of necessity. I’m thankful I don’t have a larger property. 

Tim

[Merlyn]

8 hours ago, Billeb said:

Agreed Tracy. I’ve come to the realization that there’s gonna have to be potted cycads in my life. It’s unfortunate for many reasons but as you said…there’s only so much room.  I do wish they could all be grounded to experience their full potential but I am definitely going to have to pick and choose wisely. 

Could be worse I suppose. Poor me. 🤣

I've come to this realization as well, but maybe for a slightly different reason.  Many of the "blues" do okay in pots but get root rot over the winter here in swampy Florida.  So if I want to grow cycads like Arenarius, Trispinosus, Horridus, Princeps, Lehmannii and others in that leg of the genetic family tree then I just have to keep them in the pot forever.

Speaking of that, here's my latest two purchases.  (Arenarius x Woodii) x (Arenarius x Woodii) and a (Natalensis x Woodii) x Horridus, both from IceBlueCycads.  These are probably both pot plants forever:

[tinman10101]

7 hours ago, realarch said:

Dale, some healthy looking cycads, what a score. As far as garden space, you’ll figure it out. The more room you have the more you plant……self control has finally become a learned behavior for me out of necessity. I’m thankful I don’t have a larger property. 

Tim

i can totally agree with tim.  i too have a very little cali lot 9,000 sq ft and most of it is the home.  in any case, what i find myself doing now is once the cycads are about 12" plus in diameter, i dig them out and put them in big pots so i can plant the more precious seedlings in the ground.  the only hard part is digging huge cycads. ... yes there will be blood lol.  

 

[Tracy]

14 hours ago, tinman10101 said:

i can totally agree with tim.  i too have a very little cali lot 9,000 sq ft and most of it is the home.  in any case, what i find myself doing now is once the cycads are about 12" plus in diameter, i dig them out and put them in big pots so i can plant the more precious seedlings in the ground.  the only hard part is digging huge cycads. ... yes there will be blood lol.  

 

Interesting strategy Tin.  So if I understand correctly,  you are putting little ones in the ground because they grow better and faster but once established transfer to pots?  Or are you thinning out some bigger earlier planted specimens from the ground to make room for some newer more prized specimens you have that are smaller?

I have 2 large male Encephalartos natalensis × horridus in an area.  I have contemplated whether one might go to make room for something more unique that I might need to transplant from another planter, as things get crowded.   There are worse dilemmas to have.  

[tinman10101]

11 hours ago, Tracy said:

Interesting strategy Tin.  So if I understand correctly,  you are putting little ones in the ground because they grow better and faster but once established transfer to pots?  Or are you thinning out some bigger earlier planted specimens from the ground to make room for some newer more prized specimens you have that are smaller?

I have 2 large male Encephalartos natalensis × horridus in an area.  I have contemplated whether one might go to make room for something more unique that I might need to transplant from another planter, as things get crowded.   There are worse dilemmas to have.  

tracy ... you are correct in the former.  obviously, any plant grows faster when placed in the ground so when i first started my garden, i planted the usual encephalartos.  now 13 years later, i have become more discriminate in taste for cycads.  the original cycads have grown quite large and the acquisitions of more distinct seedlings through the years are begging to be planted.   i therefore decided some years ago to purchase large pots to let them spend the rest of their lives in.  knowing that cycads in nature and through many years of discussion do not require much as far as nutrients and water, container growth seems almost the perfect method to grow them in.  in fact, i have read some cycad enthusiasts grow cycads in pure pumice with only the supplemental watering and occasional seaweed feed mixture.  in any case, this is what i have been doing for some years now.  

coincidentally, i too have a quite large nat x hor that will need to be dugged up soon to make room for some choice seedlings.  i dug the natalensis below last year (grown from a little 2" caudex) and the caudex is about 1.25 ft tall and it was such a massive task.  then lifting up into 34" tall pot was not fun either.  in any case, i feel using taller pots allow me to stagger potted plants and make use of my diminishing real estate. 

[Merlyn]

I randomly found these "palms" on FB marketplace, $10 per pot!  If I've got the leaf shape/rib/glossiness correct, these are Cycas Thouarsii pups, taken from a "palm" with 7 feet of trunk.  That's a score for $5 each, considering there are three fairly big ones in the left pot, and two are flushing. 

[Tracy]

Better described as my "newest" cycads rather than newly acquired.  A flush on one of the Encephalartos (horridus x woodii) x (horridus x woodii) seedlings as well as on the already blue Encephalartos horridus x (horridus x woodii) seedling.

[Tracy]

I discovered this new Cycad while doing cleanup at my rental house.  Based on the leaf it is clearly a Cycas.  I vaguely recall I may have removed a Cycas revoluta cone at some point and gave it a shake over what appeared to be a receptive Cycas revoluta, but they are in different planters than where this sprout showed up.   I also recall removing some old dry leaf bases from my Caryota gigas and discovering some Cycas seeds but they are in similar areas.  Timeline on both of those events is vague, could have been a year or two ago or several months ago.  So despite my not knowing how these got dispersed, and my long absences from the yard with tenants and landscapers there more often, this little Cycas sprouted.  I haven't dug it up yet to pot or move, but it's current location at the base of a Hollywood Twisting Juniper, isn't ideal.

This is the first volunteer Cycad I have.  The ease of propagation speaks to why Cycas revoluta became so widely available and popular before any others.