Cycas siamensis

[Knnn]

Cycas siamensis (Dwarf Form)

This is a Cycas from Central Thailand, this form is reputed to be well suited
to a container culture.

Some more info; http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-b ... +siamensis

Seeds,
( these will receive a 2 - 3 day heated soak, then into a Perlite medium, and placed in the propagator)



Steve

[Knnn]

After a 3 day soak, then a week at 90*F

( these were a little dehydrated when received, using a sphagnum mix to keep the moisture content up)








Steve

[Knnn]

And here we are today,




These two were "Rattlers", ( even after a two week soak), a little persuasion and all is good





Steve

[Dean W.]

Steve,

I thought if they "rattle" they are bad. I threw out a couple of Cycad revoluta because of it. They also floated in water.

Dean

[Knnn]

Hi Dean,

This seems to have worked out well, ( with these seeds at least

Used one of these style drill bits, ( kept me from pushing the bit into the seed





The hole should just barely open up into the cavity, I drilled into the end of the seed that was originally attached to the cone, ( far away from the embryo)




Afterwards, soak in sterile water and use a sterile germination medium. (Distilled water & Perlite)


Steve

[Dean W.]

Thanks, Steve, for showing me your method.

Dean

[Knnn]

Dean,

You're welcome! Not sure how many different kinds of seeds this might work on, but if it saves a few, then it's worth trying


Off and growing with no problems,






Steve

[lucky1]

Beautiful, Steve.

Dean, cycad info from Tom Broome states that he plants even the floaters and rattlers, chiefly because of the high cost of Cycad seeds. Always worth a try.

Barb

[Dean W.]

Barb, true, next time I won't throw any out.

Dean

[lucky1]

Dean,
I had quite a few floaters of a flowering vine...after several days soaking, most of the floaters sank.
Barb

[Dean W.]

Well these seeds didn't sink. Too late, I already put them in my compost pile.

Dean

[Knnn]

Dean,

I've thrown some in the compost pile only to discover they germinated there a year later


Here's one happily growing away,







Steve

[Dean W.]

Nice foliage, Steve. Simply lovely.

Dean