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GROWING CYCADSREPOTTING A CYCAD by Phil Bergman
Description of Article This article is a pictorial guide to repotting of a cycad plant. There is discussion of when and how to put your cycad into a larger container, the preferable pot size to use and things to avoid.
Introduction As many of you know, there is very little information in books and on the Internet about how to grow cycads. If given good culture, cycads will grow and many species are actually fairly "fast" growers. As a plant gets larger, its roots and root mass also grow. This requires repotting the cycad into a larger container. I am often asked "how do I do it?" At our nursery, we repot thousands of cycads. What this article will do is give you a series of pictures with discussion on the actual process of moving a cycad into a larger container. I will make comments on each topic discussed below and discuss container size, cycad potting soil, things to avoid, and make general comments on cycad culture.
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WHEN DOES A CYCAD NEED TO BE
REPOTTED? Cycads have very large root systems for the size of the plant above the ground. This is most apparent with plants in the juvenile stage. A simple single leaf germinated seed can have a main root that is quite large. As the plant grows for the next several years, this main radical can expand and get surprisingly large. It would not be unusual to have an Encephalartos with a cuadex (trunk) of 2 inches and leaves about 2 feet long to have a main subterranean root that is the size of a large potato or yam. As the cycad grows and ages, you might see a "bulging" of the container. As time goes on, the soil will become filled with roots. Roots may begin to emerge from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Below are some things which might let you know that it's time to repot. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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WHAT SIZE OF NEW CONTAINER DO I USE?
WHAT TYPE OF POTTING SOIL DO I USE?
Note: This is a
"potting soil" - a mix for the garden would be different and have to be
blended with your native garden soil. |
container sizes, left to right: band, 1 gal, 2g, 5g, 7g, 15g, 20g, 24 in box close up band size container, the smallest pot size we use |
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PHOTOS OF COMPONENTS OF A TYPICAL CYCAD POTTING SOIL
Pumice
Perlite #2
Sand, coarse grit #12
Redwood bark chips
Peat Moss (not sphagnum moss)
Dolomite to correct (lower pH) acidity in soil
Finished Product - Cycad Potting Soil
WHAT TIME OF YEAR IS BEST TO TRANSPLANT Cycads are very sturdy plants and are not difficult to grow. If you live in a warmer climate, you can repot them at any time during the growing season, which is spring to fall. If you have a greenhouse you are growing the plants in, then almost any time of year would work. Some prefer to repot their plants in late winter or early spring, thus giving them a full growing season ahead. If you have a significant problem like a torn container or very poor drainage, I would favor repotting immediately as opposed to waiting for a more optimal time.
PHOTOGRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION OF REPOTTING A CYCAD |
This shows the cycad that we have chosen to repot |
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You can see that the caudex is very large for this citrus pot container |
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You can also imagine how this plant might be unstable in its container |
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One first grasps the caudex firmly with one hand. You will be holding the plant with this hand when you remove the plant from the container |
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With the plant's caudex being firmly held, one tips up the end of the container, holding the plant in place and observing for any movement of the root ball. |
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One would then continue inverting the container until it is upside down. Typically, if well established, the plant will start to slide out of its pot |
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Note that the root ball slide out of the container intact. Be aware that sometimes this loose cycad mix may fall away. If happens, just hold onto the plant and continue with the repot. You'll be adding new mix to stabilize the plant in the new container. |
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Shown is a well rooted, tight root ball that hasn't fallen apart |
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Here new cycad potting soil is being added to the container that will be this cycad's new pot. You must measure the height of the removed root ball above so you know how much soil to add to the bottom of the pot before putting the plant into this new pot. |
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One would now place the cycad into the pot with new mix at the bottom of the container. The plnat must be held firmly, suspening it in space. You add soil around the roots as you hold the plant. |
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Note how two hands are now holding the plant. As you add soil, the force of the soil could knock the plant out of your hands |
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Mix is being carefully added to the pot, pouring it down the sides away from the rootball. The plant is still being suspended in air with two hands. |
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Additional soil has been added so the plant is now stabilized and no longer needs to be held. At this point one must start to firmly pack in the potting soil. |
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Extra potting soil is added because, after you pack it in, the level will drop. |
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The cycad mix is being packed down into the pot |
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For larger containers, you can use your fists to pack in the soil |
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The finished product with the new cycad in a 15g container. Don't forget to water. |
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HOW DO I LEARN MORE?
Thank you for reading about our nursery.
Phil Bergman
Owner of Jungle Music, Palm and Cycad Author and Creator of this Website
Nursery Location: 450 Ocean View Ave, Encinitas, CA 92024
Phone: 619 291 4605
Nursery Hours: 9AM to 4PM, Monday through Saturday
Email: phil@junglemusic.net
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