Cycas panzhihuaensis

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 5:39 pm

There isn't much about this cycad that I can find on the net. It is supposed to be hardy to 13 F which is better than the C. revoluta. It is also supposed to grow to no more than about 10'. And it is supposed to be a fast grower - growing 2' of trunk in 5 years from seed.

That sounds too good to be true but right up my alley- small enough to cover and protect over winter and fast growing.

Can anyone provide additional information on this beauty?

Allen

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 5:51 pm

There's an old saying "If it sound to good to be true, it usually is."
Quote "2' of trunk in 5 years from seed". I know that's not true at least in my climate. I'd find that to be a stretch in even the most benign climates. They are quite hardy no doubt, surprizing even an old sceptic like me. Perhaps more experimentation is needed. My gallon sized specimans are small and don't grow much. I suppose I have to plant one out and see what happens.

Cheers, Barrie.

PALMETTOMAN · Post by **PALMETTOMAN** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 6:01 pm

It will need tons of heat and humidity for a good part of the year to get anywhere near that growth...

Palmettoman z6-Ajax, On

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 6:38 pm

With all the heat and humidity that we have out here in the prairies, I should be able to get it to grow even faster and bigger.

Allen

Stevea07 · Post by **Stevea07** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:25 pm

Alchris,
I spent a small fortune in seeds for this cycad and found out it puts out one frond a year! I live in balmy Alabama too! Others who have this plant in the Carolinas and TN report the same thing. When they say this cycad will grow a two foot trunk in 5-6 years they left out a zero after those numbers! So if you are about 13 it should be a good size by the time you retire.

It is pretty hardy though. Seedling are unfazed by multiple nights to 22 F.

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:34 pm

Thanks Steve.

I am going to save myself the money and the grief. I doubt that it would even put out 1 frond per year up here. I am over 50 now and my grandson has no interest in Palms or Cycads.

Allen

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 2:22 pm

Allen, Try giving Robert Chumley a call. Look up his site in yahoo for "Chumley's Cycad". He will not only be totally honest with you on what you need (fast growing, does well inside for you in zone 3, etc.) but also he is the cheapest anywhere and he always gives a bonus or two.
Just tell him Wes White in Topeka sent you.

Lori · Post by **Lori** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:31 am

This is an example of my Cycas panzihuaensis that I grew from seeds that germinated in December of 2002. This was taken last summer (2006).

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:59 pm

Thanks Lori.

My grandson, who is a dinosaur nut, saw me checking pictures on this site and recognized the cycad from the videos that he watches. Now I am germinating seeds so that he and I can have our own 'dinosaur trees'. I'll show him your picture and hope that he will understand how long it takes them to grow.

I guess that he is interested enough to take over raising the cycads when I die.

Allen

Lori · Post by **Lori** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:49 pm

Hi, Allen

That's wonderful your grandson is interested. Tell him he will be helping to preserve these endangered species from extinction, so they won't go the way of the dinosaur.

Check out my cycad photos on my web site -- I have some nice shots of mature cycads that I have taken at various botanical gardens in Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, and Mexico. Your grandson might like to see those.

PalmsNorth.com

Cycas panzhihuaensis

Cycas panzhihuaensis

Fast growing cycad

What's a word for slower than slow?

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