revoluta question

patrick620 · Post by **patrick620** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 4:54 pm

First, I would like to say hello. This is my first post and I'm happy to be part of the forum. The cycad in the pics has been in the care of another for the last two years, I've had it for 10 years. The older lower leaves are covered with spots and pretty much all of the leaves seem to be somewhat curled under around the edges. My first thought is nutrient/magnesium deficiency in regards to the spots. The curling of the leaves, I'm not sure. Any thoughts? I appreciate any feedback on this.

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:47 pm

Could be something, but I know that mine get those with age and have never been a problem.
Personally, I would do 1 of two things...
1) Cut all the leaves off to force a new flush with new green leafs.

or

2) Fertilize it, then when it flushes, cut those old leaves off.

Laaz · Post by **Laaz** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:53 pm

Asian scale. Look at the underside of the leaves...

patrick620 · Post by **patrick620** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:05 pm

Thanks laaz and Kansas. I checked first thing and the plant is pest free. Thats what led me to believe it was a nutrient deficiency. I read somewhere that palms will show similar symptoms due to lack of Mg. The new growth is spot free. I usually remove the lower leaves when it puts out new growth in the spring. Maybe it just missed me and it will look better next year.

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:49 am

No, from the pics it doesn't look like Asian scale, but it could be.

To check, try scrapeing it off. If it comes off and it is a mushey, texture, then it is Asian scale. If it won't rub off, then it's what I told you and you don't have a big problem.

Now if the things are white and scrape off, then you have a BIG problem.

ANY type of scale can be fixed with used Coffee grounds from Starbucks or any other coffee house.

patrick620 · Post by **patrick620** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:00 am

Thanks Kansas. No, they do not scrape off. I have had scale problems on some of my Opuntia sp. cacti so I'm pretty familiar with those guys. I've dealt with spider mites, mealy bugs and other various critters and check all of my plants quite often with a jewelers loop. None of the pest problems I've ever had have seemed to bother my cycads (Edule and revoluta). I've gotten them started back on a good fertilization (with macros) program so hopefully they will be a little happier. I will be cutting that old growth off anyway so it's not a big deal. Next season I will see if it does it again. It could be the age of the plant, Kansas. I've had it ten years, at least, and I was told it was 20 to 30 years old when it was given to me. So it's up there in age.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:51 pm

Hi Patrick, welcome!
Yippeee...another poster from the State of Kansas.

That c.revoluta looks giant.
Got a whole plant pic?
Any pups on it?

Looking forward to seeing more of your plants.
Barb

patrick620 · Post by **patrick620** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:51 pm

Here are a few more pics, please excuse the mess. The smaller C. revoluta in front of the big one is a pup that I pulled off a few days ago (notice the soda pop can for size comparison). Yes, it's a pretty good sized plant. I've had "her" for about ten years , now. It hasn't flowered yet so I dont know the sex of the plant but I call her Big Mama

cuz she throws out pups and she's big. Thats the only plant I've ever called anything, btw. She was given to me for free by a nursery here in Wichta that went out of business. Right place at the right time kinda thing. Anyway, she's my favorite. The dioone edule pictured on the steps, I bought off ebay about 4 years ago. It's doing very well. I like cacti, too, as you can probably see from the pics. As I get things moved in for the winter, I will probably put some more pics up. Thanks again for the welcome, Barb.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:01 pm

Patrick, thanks for posting those pics.

Firstly let me congratulate you on using a garbage can

I thought I was the only one to do that (saving $$$$$). That c. revoluta is a stunner, and it looks like you did a good job removing her pup.

Your dioon edule is a nice specimen...mine's a slow grower but I'm prepared to wait for those gorgeous blue leaves to multiply. Have you tried a D. spinulosum? they'll put an edule's growth rate to shame.

WHAT mess? Those pics show a gardener's paradise!

You'll discover there are a good bunch of folks here who love cactus, too (you should post THAT pic here on the cactus forum). I've killed every cactus, so I've passed on getting more. Besides, the bloody stuff (sorry

)grows wild in the hills above my place and I'm forever picking it out of my dog's paws when we hike.

Great spot you have!

Barb

Gartem · Post by **Gartem** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:13 pm

Sorry but I could not find a separate topic for Cycas revoluta.
This is my. I bought it discounted.

DesertZone · Post by **DesertZone** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 3:53 pm

Very nice.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 5:18 pm

It's certainly in fine shape, compared to when you first got it

Congratulations.

Barb

PalmsNorth.com

revoluta question

revoluta question

Asian scale

Thanks for the welcome, lucky1! :D