Cycad regeneration from a tap root

[N8ALLRIGHT]

I have a heeler pup who likes to chew.  So he hammered a small Cycas panzhiuensis. Literally separated the caudex from the fronds and roots. I'm positive that the caudex will regenerate, it's roughly the size of a large orange. My question is will a taproot regenerate into a plant or is it a waste of time. Here's the perpetrator with a filibusta he had an issue with.

[Tracy]

  On 6/2/2024 at 4:42 PM, N8ALLRIGHT said:

I have a heeler pup who likes to chew.  So he hammered a small Cycas panzhiuensis. Literally separated the caudex from the fronds and roots.

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Keep an eye on him, as Cycads are toxic for pets.  My Rottweiler pup took a liking to a potted Zamia furfuracea over 20 years ago, uprooting it and I found the caudex with tap root on the back lawn,  The caudex was about softball size, so she probably thought it was a ball.  She survived without any incident but never chewed on any of my other cycads before or after that.  I have two other dogs that have lived with cycads their entire lives with no problems as well, but some dogs end up dead for poor dietary choices with cycads.

[N8ALLRIGHT]

This incident happened last weekend so I'm pretty sure he's good. I'd kept an eye on him those 1st couple days.  My guess is he just chewed it up and didn't eat much/any. He's a Velociraptor,destroys everything but sharp as a tack. We'll get there just have to get through another year of him being a pup.  @Tracy do you think a new cycad could grow from the taproot? it's about 4 to 5 inches long and carrot shaped.

Thanks 

[Tracy]

  On 6/2/2024 at 11:15 PM, N8ALLRIGHT said:

  @Tracy do you think a new cycad could grow from the taproot? it's about 4 to 5 inches long and carrot shaped.

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I don't know.  You can try and see what happens.  The closest comparison I can provide was a small 1 1/2" caudex Encephalartos nubimontanus that was run over by a dog a few years ago.  The leaves were completely ripped off and the caudex was partially damaged.  I removed what was torn off and didn't dig up the remainder of the completely subterranean caudex or tap root though.  I forgot about it over time but a couple of weeks ago I found that it was flushing 3 new leaves after remaining dormant all this time. So we can be pleasantly surprised once in a while.

[PalmsandLiszt]

I don't think the taproot will contain the meristematic cells capable of growing into anything other than more roots. However, it's possible that some of the caudex tissue might still remain at the top, in which case it could theoretically regenerate. I'd be interested to know if you succeed.

[happypalms]

Stangeria eriopsis will grow from a piece of root this is a piece I did about 7 months ago it’s the only cycas species that I know off that will grow from root division 

[N8ALLRIGHT]

Well seems like the consensus is to try it and see what happens. I potted it several days ago in a fast draining mix. I'll wait and see, I'll try to remember to report back with results although that may be a year or more 

[N8ALLRIGHT]

Caudex is starting a flush, the long game is on the root