These lovely seed plants are rare today, but were quite common during the Jurassic period, so common that some people call this period the 'Age of Cycads'. Thanks to their large, luxurious leaves, the plant is quite similar to some palm species, but they are not closely related to them. In any case, these plants are really specific, and here are some facts about growing cycads.
As with most plants, the soil is really important, as well as good quality fertilizers. Some people think that palm fertilizers will be adequate, because cycads look quite alike. This is actually very wrong, because plant fertilizers contain low nitrogen levels, and cycads need at least 18 percent nitrogen for successful growth. If you already have palm fertilizer, try to improve the nitrogen level first.
When it comes to the best type of fertilizers, besides appropriate level of nitrogen, another important thing is to choose those that will fertilizer constantly, during prolonged period of time. Plastic coated pellets are especially successful, because this form is highly resistible to excessive watering, and they will not release higher amount of fertilizers even in this case.
Cycads grow best in warm climate zones and are quite sensitive when it comes to cold weather. Their leaves will probably be ruined by frost, and you will have to cut them off. The best thing you can do if something like that happen is to give your plant some fertilizers first, and to cut the leaves off several days after that. Within a few weeks, the new leaves should grow.
If the weather is still not warm enough, these new leaves should be protected from morning cold. Wrap them during nights, to make sure they won't get cold burns again. Although they are sensitive to cold, you can still successfully grow them in colder climate zones, if you take a really good care of them.
If your primary goal is the seed production, your plants should get strong enough to be able to hold those seeds first. This means slower growth but stronger plants. Depending on the species, you should apply special types of fertilizers approximately two months before the expecting cones. If you are not sure when to expect them exactly, it would be better to start earlier than too late. The plants might be too fragile for the cones.
If you are more interesting in growing these attractive plants for sale, your primary goal would probably be to grow plants with large, healthy, green leaves as soon as possible. This will require different approach, and you will start fertilizing them much earlier. In this case, your goal is to achieve faster growth in shorter period of time.
Different species will require different approach. Combining various types of soil and fertilizers is essential for achieving the best results, and by experimenting you will soon get your own recipes for achieving desired results.
As with most plants, the soil is really important, as well as good quality fertilizers. Some people think that palm fertilizers will be adequate, because cycads look quite alike. This is actually very wrong, because plant fertilizers contain low nitrogen levels, and cycads need at least 18 percent nitrogen for successful growth. If you already have palm fertilizer, try to improve the nitrogen level first.
When it comes to the best type of fertilizers, besides appropriate level of nitrogen, another important thing is to choose those that will fertilizer constantly, during prolonged period of time. Plastic coated pellets are especially successful, because this form is highly resistible to excessive watering, and they will not release higher amount of fertilizers even in this case.
Cycads grow best in warm climate zones and are quite sensitive when it comes to cold weather. Their leaves will probably be ruined by frost, and you will have to cut them off. The best thing you can do if something like that happen is to give your plant some fertilizers first, and to cut the leaves off several days after that. Within a few weeks, the new leaves should grow.
If the weather is still not warm enough, these new leaves should be protected from morning cold. Wrap them during nights, to make sure they won't get cold burns again. Although they are sensitive to cold, you can still successfully grow them in colder climate zones, if you take a really good care of them.
If your primary goal is the seed production, your plants should get strong enough to be able to hold those seeds first. This means slower growth but stronger plants. Depending on the species, you should apply special types of fertilizers approximately two months before the expecting cones. If you are not sure when to expect them exactly, it would be better to start earlier than too late. The plants might be too fragile for the cones.
If you are more interesting in growing these attractive plants for sale, your primary goal would probably be to grow plants with large, healthy, green leaves as soon as possible. This will require different approach, and you will start fertilizing them much earlier. In this case, your goal is to achieve faster growth in shorter period of time.
Different species will require different approach. Combining various types of soil and fertilizers is essential for achieving the best results, and by experimenting you will soon get your own recipes for achieving desired results.
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