About a year ago I purchased some Cycas revoluta X Cycas debaoensis seeds. I ended up with three that germinated. All three put out fairly normal looking leaves, except that they were wider and spaced farther apart on the petiole. All three are beginning to flush again and this morning I noticed the first divided character leaf beginning to unfurl on one. I'm so happy about this one, I did the smarty pants dance (here is a

if you are unfamiliar with this dance)

There is no way you could be that cute...................

Nice dance and Cycad.....

There is no way you could be that cute...................

Come on John, you don't think a chubby, 41 year old balding guy could dance that good

There is no way you could be that cute...................

Come on John, you don't think a chubby, 41 year old balding guy could dance that good

I almost bought some of these seeds on ebay awhile ago. Have to imagine that if this plant carries any of the cold tolerance of a sago, it will be a BIG hit.

I think Cycas debaoensis is more cold hardy than people would think. The leaflets look tropical but my plants went through 2 winters with lows of 21F without any leaf damage. It took the 16F we just had this season to burn the leaves off these things. Even then, most of my burnt plants are already flushing new leaves now and even one has just pushed out a female cone for the first time. Regular debaoensis has a stem that can easily be covered with mulch during a freeze, so I would bet that it would survive the same temperatures as Cycas revoluta if you mulch over the stems. This new cross, I am hoping to have sago looking plants with split leaflets, but you don't always get exactly what your looking for in a cross. I think I got about 40 seedlings that came up from, I think the same batch, so I should get lots of combinations of the two species.

I think Cycas debaoensis is more cold hardy than people would think. The leaflets look tropical but my plants went through 2 winters with lows of 21F without any leaf damage. It took the 16F we just had this season to burn the leaves off these things. Even then, most of my burnt plants are already flushing new leaves now and even one has just pushed out a female cone for the first time. Regular debaoensis has a stem that can easily be covered with mulch during a freeze, so I would bet that it would survive the same temperatures as Cycas revoluta if you mulch over the stems. This new cross, I am hoping to have sago looking plants with split leaflets, but you don't always get exactly what your looking for in a cross. I think I got about 40 seedlings that came up from, I think the same batch, so I should get lots of combinations of the two species.

Yes, the same batch Tom. I'm hoping it shows more and more forking as it gets older. Thanks for the great seeds.

Matt

Matt,

I crossed some panzhihuaensis with bifida last year which should also be an interesting cross with hopefully some cold hardiness, will be crossing with debo's this year.

Bruce

Matt,

I crossed some panzhihuaensis with bifida last year which should also be an interesting cross with hopefully some cold hardiness, will be crossing with debo's this year.

Bruce

Hi Bruce,

That sounds like another great cross. Please keep us updated.

Matt