Cycas maconochiei ~ Fog Bay Cycas

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 8:02 pm

Taylor, I would soak them for a couple days to rehydrate the embryos, afterwards, try to find a way to keep them between 80*- 90*F to help speed up germination. You should see some results in 1 - 3 months.

This post has some ideas how to us X-Mas lights, etc to achieve that:
viewtopic.php?t=696&sid=e09b57c385ed543 ... 44dd67db79

Are you using Miracle Gro soil for a germination medium? ( If you are not, then sorry if this is redundant)

One of the advantages of using Perlite, Sphagnum moss, or Vermiculite is no organic content to feed fungus/mold growth. Seeds are most vulnerable when germination first starts, by using a sterile medium you can get them off to a good start.

There is also a good chance if you just buried the seeds in a container, and came back 6 months later, you would have a few going

I go through all these things just to try and get the highest germination percentage possible.

Good Luck with them!

Steve

taylor · Post by **taylor** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 8:24 pm

Those are SUCH good ideas in that thread! Wow...
Thanks for the advice too...Ill do that stuff.

Also, those pictures of your gh being filled, I could take a thing or 2 from it(with something in return)

That is, if you want.

Taylor

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 8:53 pm

Taylor, I'm stuck in the deep freeze right now

but have a couple things I can send your way, will probably be the end of January before it is safe to ship.
( need to get at least 2 - 3 days with lows above 32*F to be on the safe side )

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:59 pm

Jeez, Steve, those two (at first glance) looked like burgers...

Barb

taylor · Post by **taylor** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:45 am

Alrighty. Would you like me to PM you to get it squared away?

Taylor

Wes North Van · Post by **Wes North Van** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:48 am

Barb,
I thought the same thing. Man they look like hamburgers. I get hungry just looking at the picture. I may have to barbque me some today.

Laaz · Post by **Laaz** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 3:55 pm

Hamburgers

Ha... Eat one of those and you won't wake up again...

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:06 am

Laaz,
a couple of my recent on-the-run (real) burgers almost did the same thing

Agree, Wes, love a winter BBQ...

Cycad seeds seem to be particularly poisonous.
Glad it's weevils that pollinate 'em instead of valuable birds!

Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:03 pm

Some more to pot up soon

Most Cycas germinate in the same fashion, these will be ready to pot up when the radicles are between 1/2" to 1" in length.
( just posting these for whoever may be unfamiliar with Cycad propagation )

Even the C.revoluta is moving along,

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:27 am

And here they are almost ready to pot up

C.maconochiei

C.revoluta

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:40 am

The stunning magic of nature...with Steve's help!

Do they go into community -- or invididual -- pots now?
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:31 pm

Since I'm working with a small amount, into these tall cups until the first leaves are hardened off. Then into 1 gallons after that.

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 6:49 pm

With most of the action taking place below the soil, does growth seem to slow down now?
Or is a leaf just a few weeks away?

Do you give them another fungicide treatment before they go into the styro cups (after the baggies)?

And do you continue with bottom heat?

Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:34 pm

There is a lot of growth going on now under the soil, initial caudex and root system will develop before any fronds. ( will probably be about 3 – 8 weeks till the first leaf )

Bottom heat can help speed up growth, but really isn’t necessary once germination has occurred.
Not using any fungicides, just keeping an eye on things, and scrubbing down any seeds that are showing signs of mold/fungus.

Also, this is where using a sterile germination medium is an advantage, once they are past germination and potted up, they are not as susceptible.

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:50 pm

Thanks for the info.
3-8 weeks until we see something on top.
That's well worth the wait.

Looks like you have something other than Perlite in there? Is it bark chips?
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:02 am

That's just an off the shelf potting mix with about 30% to 40% Perlite added. ( Sta-Green container mix )

This is more or less what I use for everything, ( I'm just being lazy

, One of my projects this year is to try and fine tune a Cycad mix.

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:13 am

Thanks, that's good to know about Sta-Green mix.

When I bought my cycads from Lori, she provided info sheet/newsletter on cycad mixes.
There certainly are a lot of them!
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:13 pm

Lost some seedlings due to a gray fungus that literally appeared on the seedlings overnight

After seeing no top growth after a month or two I decided to take a look,

Seemed to be the start of a caudex an inch or more below the surface, ( these were planted with the seed on the surface )

re-potted at what seemed to be the proper height, ( and rigged the seed up until it is spent )

Steve

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:34 pm

Cool, Steve, good luck!

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:05 pm

Already found some room for these in the green house, 80* - 90*F daytime temps should get them moving along nicely

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:42 pm

Steve,
wow, lots of development below ground in only a month or two

A caudex and tuber must be related somehow, they look so similar.

found some room for these in the green house

the only space you had left was hanging on the doorknob!

Good idea for rigging seeds up.

BTW my Medjools have been potted for approx 2 to 3 months, nothing showing above ground yet.
Keeping them warm and moist, anxious to take a peek. Maybe...

Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:09 pm

It has been a long wait........................... the seeds were expended and cut off about a month ago.

First frond starting

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:35 pm

This one'll be worth the wait. Congrats.
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:00 pm

Thanks Barb!

First frond starting to unfurl,

Steve

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:13 pm

One more starting, (I was getting worried about these, all they did was grow a small caudex before the seed died off)

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:09 am

Interesting how some cycads put all their early energy into caudex development.
Probably an inherent survival tactic.

So it can lift your roof in a year

Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 7:57 pm

When these fronds come up, the leaflets look like they are tied in a knot

Eventually,

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:11 am

Makes you wonder how it can unravel itself without any damage

Nice close-up.
I think your first frond is as tall as what D.spinulosum throw. It'll be a beauty.

One of my c.debao.... fronds needed a gentle lift with a pencil to unfurl.
A part of its frond had gotten caught, perhaps with the increase of caudex or root/stem diameter.

A small amount of damage resulted.

Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 4:04 pm

Barb,
Good job! Sometimes things just need a little extra help.
Yours seem to be picking up speed

(Thanks again for the photos, it's the first time I've seen Cycas debaoensis started from seed)

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:42 pm

Thanks,
I can't wait for the superb leaf development on Cycas debaoensis.
They're stunning, and I'm happy to wait to see it.

Barb

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Cycas maconochiei ~ Fog Bay Cycas

Hamburgers

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