Prices on Cycads revoluta

[Palm crazy]

Ok, I am finally going to take the plunge and get a cycad revoluta locally since the mail order ones are to over priced IMO.

The one I have my eye on is a two gallon with 5" center for 38.00....is that a good price or what?

However the leaves seem really small for the size. One gallons are 13.00 but really small.

I've read they do not like wet winters so I will have to cover it or plant at the base of some other taller plant, so how much sun should I plant it in?

Comments?

[mike2748]

full sun and fast draining soil

[Palm crazy]

Thanks Mike excellent advise.

After doing some reading, I have found in my climate this one is one of the worst to grow. Does not like cold/wet winters. Mail order hybrids are looking better.

Here's what I got and the caudex is 6" wide. $35.00

[rprimbs]

That's not a bad price! And I'm down here in Southern California where they are a dime a dozen.

I've never seen one rot from too much water. But there are probably people here who have... I say go for it anyway!

[mike2748]

once they are happy and growing they will take a lot of water winter months dry them off

[Tassie_Troy1971]

They grow down here and our winters are cold and wet too . Mine is planted near the house facing north in a well drained soil .

[Palm crazy]

Rich, Mike, Troy

I went ahead and went for it...planted this morning and it receives about 4-5 hrs of full sun from 11:30am to 4:30pm. I like this spot because it's slightly higher area and the trachy behind will grow a nice canopy in a few years. 90F/32.2C today.

The combination of rain and very low 8a freezing temps can make them rot here. About 7"-8" of rain per month Nov.- Feb. Temps mostly (40's/30's) in winter. When it goes into the 50's in winter it's raining with 90% -100% humidity. When its clear it freezes at night.

Maybe it will grow moss on it and that will keep it dryer in winter....

If it doesn't make it I have lots of other options.

Thanks for the good comments.

Edited August 5, 2012 by Palm crazy