Cycad revoluta "Collapse"???

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:29 pm

This revoluta looks like somebody sat on it, almost completely horizontal.
Fronds aren't pulling, but appear loose.

It was really really dry in the cold building all winter, very little watering.

Anybody had this happen?
Barb

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:54 pm

Barb,

Mine don't look like that. I hope it pulls through for you!

Dean

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:03 pm

That sounds like it got too much moisture in the spear. I would not think so with your mentioning of the dry place it was in thou. I am at a loss too, but that does look like it got too wet in the spear.

virtualpalm · Post by **virtualpalm** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:35 pm

Barb,

Cycads will sometimes do that when they don't get enough water. I would recommend tying up all the leaves and watering it thoroughly at least once or twice a day for the next week or two. Assuming you don't have any root rot, this extra water should allow the plant to rebuild the turgor pressure in the petioles so that they are able to support the weight of the leaves. You may also want to treat the crown and the roots with an all-purpose fungicide just to be safe.

If the petioles stay loose at the base after a week or two of regular watering, then I would suggest unpotting the plant and inspecting the roots for rot. If there are rotten roots, cut them off and treat with fungicide. If not, feel free to soak the plant overnight in a dilute fungicide mixture and then repot.

Please keep us updated on your progress... and some "during" and "after" photos would be nice, too.

Jody

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:14 am

Thanks for sharing my concern, folks.

Here it is yesterday after I watered heavily:

This morning, only a few fronds are a bit higher:

The next two photos show how much "play" there is at the base of each petiole.
Feels like they're attached by only a thread:

I'll tie up the leaves right now.
Barb

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:47 am

Petioles tied.
The older leaves had very little play so didn't tie those up.
Fronds look fairly healthy otherwise.

Barb

taylor · Post by **taylor** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:58 am

Good luck Barb, hope it heals up for you.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:21 pm

You folks aren't going to believe this.
I can't believe it myself.

Cycad leaves were tied, and I walked into it by mistake.
NOTHING MOVED.
So I took the string off, and LOOK!

There is not ANY PLAY in the petioles any more.
In just 3 days!
Amazing.

This is a lesson for me...never let a Sago go too dry in the cold winter building.
And it really needs to be out in the sun on mild-ish days.
Thanks everyone.
Thanks JODY for suggesting I tie the leaves up. Its leaves weren't this vertical when it flushed!
I had run out of fungicide, so didn't apply any to the Sago.

I'm thrilled. Thanks again.
Barb

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 6:33 pm

ALRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! GREAT NEWS!!!
Hey this made me think of a secret I do also. While I have many many cycad/dioon in the greenhouse, the second I see anything starting to flush, I emmediately move it to full sun (south side of the GH) and water it well. Seems to be working GREAT so far. Just wanted to throw that out there.
But man, that is great news Luck.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 11:02 am

Yup, great news indeed. So your secret kansas wes, was to maintain the cell's structure without even knowing it

Jody hit the nail on the head.
I'm really grateful, thanks Jody.

This explains TURGOR:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turgor

I'd always thought that the colder the winter temps, the drier a plant should be kept.
But I guess there's a limit to dryness even in temps of 38 to 42 F.

Barb

virtualpalm · Post by **virtualpalm** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:07 pm

You are very welcome, Barb. I am glad that I could help.

Jody

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:21 pm

Jody,
Did you expect it to recover so quickly (3 days?)

Suppose it's akin to our drinking water to prevent dehydration during strenuous tasks.
Barb

virtualpalm · Post by **virtualpalm** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:55 pm

It doesn't really surprise me that it recovered so quickly. Your analogy is a good one.

Jody

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:54 pm

Barb,

How your Sago doing?

Dean

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:11 pm

It's back indoors because of our cold temps, but the fronds have remained tightly held after the heavy
waterings (suggested by Jody).

I had tied the fronds up in a haphazard almost vertical arrangement when I watered them.
They hardened exactly in that vertical position.

Looks kinda cool, like they saw a ghost

Thanks for asking.
Barb