الخميس، 4 يناير 2018

Some Facts About Growing Cycads

By Dorothy Hayes


Cycads are really attractive evergreen cone-bearing plants that can be grown inside or out. They succeed very well in terra cotta pots filled with some type of a cactus mix or similar potting soil. Growing is quite easy, and the most important thing is really good drainage. Cycads need water, but good drainage will prevent rotten roots.

Experienced gardeners will know what to do when it comes to growing cycads, but if you aren't one, don't worry, there aren't to many things to learn. In their natural environment, these lovely plants grow in poor soil, and it means in hard rock soil, or any type of sandy soil. Except for good drainage, they don't expect too much. Good soil, good drainage, watering and occasional fertilizing, that's it.

Even so, they are quite small, comparing to some other similar plants, they will grow up to five feet, although there were some examples of larger plants. They grow slowly, but they have a long life. In fact, there are more than three hundred species of this lovely plant, and the one that is the most popular is often called the Sago palm. On the other hand, they are closely related to pines actually, not to palms.

These plants have separate male and female plants. Females produce seeds, while males have large cones with pollen. Some people find it hard to distinguish cycads from palms. The most important difference is that palms produce fruit and flowers, while cycads do not. In any case, you just cannot make a mistake planting these lovely things in your garden, because they really look attractive.

You can successfully grow them in pots, and, thanks to their slow growth, you won't need to re-pot them too often. If you keep them inside, make sure they are exposed to natural light, but placed away from different heat sources. Water them twice a week during summer months, and only occasionally during winter months, because they don't require too much water then.

Growing them in the garden is equally simple. Place your plant on some lovely sunny spot, because it will surely appreciate it. Make sure the soil is well drained, because their roots are quite sensitive to stale water. Full sun, enough water and occasional fertilizing, and your plants will be healthy and attractive all through the year. Avoid shade, they prefer lots of sun.

If you are more experienced gardener, you can try growing these beautiful plants from seeds. If not, choose grown plants, larger ones for your garden, and smaller for growing in the pot. So, medium sized are probably the best solution. Remember that they grow slowly, and you would probably want to enjoy their presence as soon as possible. You could also combine smaller and larger ones, why not.

Good fertilizer that contains phosphorus, magnesium and potassium will make a great difference, of course. Commonly used palm fertilizer will be more than appropriate for cycads. Apply four times a year, and you will have really beautiful, luxuriously green plants. With so little effort, you can get so much. Try growing these beautiful plants, it's simple, but really great.




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