Although their ancestors occupied much larger areas of Earth a long time ago, back there in the Jurassic period, these beautifully looking seed plants, often referred as palms, although they are only far relatives, today, some species of Cycads are in danger of extinction. Large, meaty green leaves make them really attractive, and here are some important tips about growing cycads.
Fertilizers are highly important for cycads, and without appropriate types of fertilizers you probably won't get expected results. Although they look like palms, they require entirely different fertilizers, with higher percentages of nitrogen, approximately 18-25 %. If you want to use palm fertilizers, try to combine them with products containing higher nitrogen levels.
When it comes to the best type of fertilizers, besides appropriate level of nitrogen, another important thing is to choose those that will fertilizer constantly, during prolonged period of time. Plastic coated pellets are especially successful, because this form is highly resistible to excessive watering, and they will not release higher amount of fertilizers even in this case.
Cycads grow best in warm climate zones and are quite sensitive when it comes to cold weather. Their leaves will probably be ruined by frost, and you will have to cut them off. The best thing you can do if something like that happen is to give your plant some fertilizers first, and to cut the leaves off several days after that. Within a few weeks, the new leaves should grow.
If you succeed in growing new, young leaves when it is still relatively cold outside, and there is still a possibility for frost in the morning, it might be a good idea to wrap your young leaves during nights. This will protect your new leaves from the morning frost and ensure their health in the rest of the year. These plants are native to warm regions, and require special attention when it is cold outside.
When you want to grow cycads primarily for their seed production, you should fertilize them accordingly. The plants should grow slow, to make sure they will be strong enough when the time comes for those heavy seed cones. Leafy but fragile plants that grow too quickly cannot carry those cones. For successful seed production, the plant should be strong and at least one year old.
On the other hand, the plant doesn't have to be especially strong to carry leaves only. If you are interested only in growing great looking leafy plants, you can start building up their growth much earlier. They will be luxuriously green and attractive, for sale or for decorating your own garden. So, faster growth early for luxuriously green plants, and slower growth in the first year for those you plan to use for the production of seeds.
It would probably take some time and a certain level of experimenting before finding the perfect fertilizers mixture for each species. This will depend on several factors, including the soil type in your area, climate, different types of fertilizers, the amount of watering and, of course, of the particular species that you have chosen to grow.
Fertilizers are highly important for cycads, and without appropriate types of fertilizers you probably won't get expected results. Although they look like palms, they require entirely different fertilizers, with higher percentages of nitrogen, approximately 18-25 %. If you want to use palm fertilizers, try to combine them with products containing higher nitrogen levels.
When it comes to the best type of fertilizers, besides appropriate level of nitrogen, another important thing is to choose those that will fertilizer constantly, during prolonged period of time. Plastic coated pellets are especially successful, because this form is highly resistible to excessive watering, and they will not release higher amount of fertilizers even in this case.
Cycads grow best in warm climate zones and are quite sensitive when it comes to cold weather. Their leaves will probably be ruined by frost, and you will have to cut them off. The best thing you can do if something like that happen is to give your plant some fertilizers first, and to cut the leaves off several days after that. Within a few weeks, the new leaves should grow.
If you succeed in growing new, young leaves when it is still relatively cold outside, and there is still a possibility for frost in the morning, it might be a good idea to wrap your young leaves during nights. This will protect your new leaves from the morning frost and ensure their health in the rest of the year. These plants are native to warm regions, and require special attention when it is cold outside.
When you want to grow cycads primarily for their seed production, you should fertilize them accordingly. The plants should grow slow, to make sure they will be strong enough when the time comes for those heavy seed cones. Leafy but fragile plants that grow too quickly cannot carry those cones. For successful seed production, the plant should be strong and at least one year old.
On the other hand, the plant doesn't have to be especially strong to carry leaves only. If you are interested only in growing great looking leafy plants, you can start building up their growth much earlier. They will be luxuriously green and attractive, for sale or for decorating your own garden. So, faster growth early for luxuriously green plants, and slower growth in the first year for those you plan to use for the production of seeds.
It would probably take some time and a certain level of experimenting before finding the perfect fertilizers mixture for each species. This will depend on several factors, including the soil type in your area, climate, different types of fertilizers, the amount of watering and, of course, of the particular species that you have chosen to grow.
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