eBay Zamias

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 10:55 am

Some Zamia floridana that recently arrived.
These were reportedly collected under permit 15-20 years ago, (a nursery now cleaning out stock), The wounds have calloused over and been treated.
So hopefully these will root in and start growing.

Steve

Cameron_z6a_N.S. · Post by **Cameron_z6a_N.S.** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 11:01 am

Those are great! Good luck with them!

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 11:18 am

Steve, sheesh, I would've thrown those away, thinking they had few/no roots!

Those are spectacular 15-20 year old...wow.
I can imagine how great they'll look by the end of the summer with your heat.

How do you know to what point on the caudex they should go in the potting soil?
That'd be difficult for me.

Look forward to the updates as they flush.

Nice buy!
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 12:03 pm

Cameron, Thanks! 3 known females and 2 males with this lot. Slowly trying to build up a breeding colony.

Barb, Wish they had at least some roots! Guess I felt sorry for them, and the price was right

With these, the top of the caudex is usually at the soil line or slightly above. Planted some high to keep them in the drier part of the media.
Maybe see if these will take on a bonsai look

Steve

Cameron_z6a_N.S. · Post by **Cameron_z6a_N.S.** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 12:07 pm

Steve, you should also try to get some seeds of the Palatka Giant form! They're awesome!

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 2:35 pm

Cameron, I'm hoping to get some from this one !

The "Palatka Giant" form are some of the first I started with

Steve

virtualpalm · Post by **virtualpalm** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 7:37 pm

Nice size caudexes, Steve. Just to give you some perspective on the growth of this species in cultivation as opposed to in habitat, I planted this male Palatka Giant coontie from a 3-gallon container with probably a 1.5-2" diameter caudex in 2004, and within 6 years in the ground it grew into this monster. In the right conditions, cycads are not necessarily slow-growing plants. I recently sold this plant for $250.

Jody

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:04 am

Jody,
That's a great looking Zamia, thanks for the photos!
Wish I had the conditions to replicate those results

You're right about fast growth, I've found deep containers useful. This Sago was a Wal-Mart special about 4 years ago. It spent the first year or two filling the container with roots and now is flushing 2-3X per year.

Steve

TimMAz6 · Post by **TimMAz6** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 8:52 am

cycads are so cool! Any more on Ebay?

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 9:56 am

Jody,
What a stunning p.giant. Truly lovely, all those leaves.
And that size of that caudex! Holy cow.

Steve, nice looking Sago...

I'm having terrible luck with my cycads, basically sunburnt and not growing.
Some haven't put on much growth for 2 years and look like death, especially after 7 long months in a cold building this winter.

I have hope, though, for my Cycas debaoensis.
If that's all that survives, I suppose I'll be happy.

But I sure enjoy seeing Jody's and Steve's cycads.

Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 11:30 am

Tim, Plenty on eBay, just type in "Zamia" or "Cycad" in the search. Have a few extra seedlings I can send your way, send me a PM if interested.

Barb, To me, it seems most Cycad seedlings do best out of direct sun.
At least until they gain some size. What kind of media are you using? I'm still having luck using off the shelf Miracle Gro or Sta Green with about 30% perlite added.
As long as the low temps are at least 60F, I keep things on the moist side.

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 12:03 pm

most Cycad seedlings do best out of direct sun

Morning sun only here, but it was the winter conditions, cold and dry, that made them decline.
They don't belong in the cold building over winter.

Media is a fast draining mix with added aggregate.
Saves on having to buy expensive perlite, and works well on palms.
Thought it would do for cycads.

I've got to remember that cycads are generally in the understory in habitat.
We'll see if it's too late for mine.
Thanks.

Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 8:25 am

Nice to see these recovering

Steve

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sun Sep 25, 2011 11:02 am

That is great!
I admit, I was a bit skeptical in June.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:20 am

I was skeptical too

Generally with Cycads, if the caudexes are in good shape they will recover, it's just a matter of how long it takes..
so far 2/5

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:42 am

Proof that Tom Broome was correct to "never throw away a cycad".
Or maybe that was your quote, Steve.

Hoping for 5/5 soon.

Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 11:11 am

Hi Barb, That was the title of one of Tom's articles, a good read too!
(although I have yet to match his results

http://www.plantapalm.com/vce/horticult ... owaway.htm

Everything looks good so far, so 5/5 should just be a matter of time. I'm happy because this boost my percentage of known male/female plants.

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 4:53 pm

Yes, that's the article!
thanks.

Just think what a cycad resource you're building...well done.

Barb