Anyone growing Z Z plant?

[Howeadypsis]

Zamiaculcas zaamifolia are becoming quite popular now but are still very expensive! But you can grow them from a leaflet(they produce long pinnnate leaves a bit like a Cycad)

Unfortunately it takes about a year and this leaf has been in that pot sdince aboput September. Its still green so if it was going to fail it would be much by now!

(My first attempt at this 2 years ago died after a years growing)

[palmmermaid]

We have a few of these growing in the nursery.  We usually take a small offset from the larger plant and put it in a pot of our regular potting soil with fertilizer.  It grows pretty quickly for us.

There is quite a large bed of these in MeKee Gardens up in Vero Beach in the shade and they are really nice.  As long as they have shade, they seem to pretty easy.

[Howeadypsis]

I'm just never sure when to lift the leaf to put in its own pot-i think i have to wait till the leaf withers totally,not sure.

[Jeff Searle]

I have been growing some for some time now at the nursery. But landscapers just don't seem to use them much. To me, their just ok.

Jeff

[palmmermaid]

Jeff,

We've found the same thing to be true.  We have taken a few to different sales and the only people who buy them are the blue hairs looking for a houseplant for under $15!

We'll just keep them around in case any one needs something that is different for a shady spot.

[Howeadypsis]

I'd love one, I think theyre cool plants with really glossy leaves, and they are a caudiciform Arum, not many of those about!

Not quite sure what a 'blue hair' is, ah, do you mean OAPs,grannys with blue rinses?

[BobbyinNY]

I have one that's about 3ft tall.... They grow painfully slow, but are SOOO easy to take care of it's almost painful.... They will grow in complete shade and still look beautiful... nothing exciting about this plant - but very low maintenance - great for someone who wants a plant that he can leave for weeks at a time without watering.

[Howeadypsis]

I just love how shiny the leaves are,like they're polished,and I'll be so glad if this one takes.

[chris.oz]

I have found them to be susceptible to scale,  but they will grow roots when placed in the garden over summer.  They can be slow to get going,  but when they decide to shoot,  it grows almost as fast as bamboo..

No doubt they do look exotic.   I think they need VERY well drained soil.

[Howeadypsis]

I've also read that you can't raise the caudex as the roots come from the top,which is a shame

[chris.oz]

(Howeadypsis @ May 15 2007,09:37)

QUOTE

I've also read that you can't raise the caudex as the roots come from the top,which is a shame

Well actually one of the complete stems broke off at the base,  so I stuck it in the soil outside last summer.   Bingo callous and roots at the base.   It still looks a bit yellow,  but I am sure some fert will fix that !

[Howeadypsis]

You guys seem to be growing this plant outdoors,in the garden,something us Brits can only dream of-to us its a houseplant.

[palmarazzi]

I have many and all started the same as you, with a leaf. they aren't much to look at when young but once established into a larger form (many stems about 14-20" + tall) it becomes a real showstopper.

very slow growing but what's cool, they store water in little root reserves and therefore don't require much.

here is my smallest, she's about (i don't really know what sex) six years old.

[Howeadypsis]

(palmarazzi @ May 16 2007,00:23)

QUOTE

I have many and all started the same as you, with a leaf. they aren't much to look at when young but once established into a larger form (many stems about 14-20" + tall) it becomes a real showstopper.

very slow growing but what's cool, they store water in little root reserves and therefore don't require much.

here is my smallest, she's about (i don't really know what sex) six years old.

Thats really cool to see and now you may be able to help me with something. You see this is my second attempt to get a leaf going and i would like to know the right time to pot up the rooting leaf. Do i wait till it all dies back or just turns yellow? Mine has been in there since autumn now and is still green but the pot its in houses my pot bound Dracaena that really needs a repot soon. My last attempt at growing one from a leaf ended with the leaf rotting,but i think i gave it too much water,I've been more frugal with the wet stuff this time.

[palmarazzi]

you gave it to much water!

do you see all the shoots (stems) in the pic, those were all from leaves. i just pluck one and stick it in.

and now a little history…

the plant is from remote mountainous regions of africa where water is not abundant. it has mystified locals for some time as to how it survives and stays green in deserted, lifeless places. for this, they believe it to be a sign of good luck and give them as gifts to newly wedded couples. it is considered quite a prize to receive one.

--

to mr. searle, i've never considered it to be an in-landscape item; it is better served in simple architectural-decorative pots as accents to patio doorways or smaller forms on a table.

i like to put mine in clear glass tall (10" or taller) vases, like the kind crate & barrel sells and drill drainage holes in the bottom. it's the clean design and clear glass that really sets the bright waxy leaves off. everyone always tells me, including some well known decorator friends that i should start a business and sell them. so there you go.

[palmarazzi]

also, during the growing season i feed mine carl pools 20-20-20 (water soluble fertilizer) once a month. all my zz's really love it.

during the growing season i water every two weeks. I fill the pot with water to the brim (about an inch) and let it drain through. during the dormant season i water once a month but with very little water. before i had an RO system, i would drench the heck out of it under the faucet to wash away salts before active growing took place. i find this plant does not like tap water, it will tolerate it but growth will be slowed. it also doesn't like very rich soil, so i use regular potting mix with a little mulch to enhance drainage.

[Howeadypsis]

(palmarazzi @ May 16 2007,09:38)

QUOTE

also, during the growing season i feed mine carl pools 20-20-20 (water soluble fertilizer) once a month. all my zz's really love it.

during the growing season i water every two weeks. I fill the pot with water to the brim (about an inch) and let it drain through. during the dormant season i water once a month but with very little water. before i had an RO system, i would drench the heck out of it under the faucet to wash away salts before active growing took place. i find this plant does not like tap water, it will tolerate it but growth will be slowed. it also doesn't like very rich soil, so i use regular potting mix with a little mulch to enhance drainage.

Thanks for the info palmarazzi! I realise nowe that of course i did over water it, it is a caudex plant after all,silly me!

But the thing I need to know is when to remove that leaf and give it its own pot? I would like to succeed this time as these plants are expensive to buy over here and the only way I can get them is by err, pinching a leaf from one of the plants they have  planted up in  the supermarket beds(I actually foud this leaflet on the floor)

[palmarazzi]

It takes about 6-8 weeks for a leaf to sprout a bulb.

[Howeadypsis]

Thanks p,then the leaf turns yellow and its time to pot up yea? sorry to be a pain!

[palmarazzi]

if the leaf turns yellow, it means only one thing - you've over watered again.

when i plant leaves, the indication i use is slight to full browning at the base but the mid section (not tip) should still be somewhat green.

i'll go through some of my larger ones and see if any leaves have sprouted, then take a pic so you can see.

[palmarazzi]

and not a pain! glad to help.

i'm sure i'll have my turn in the near future.

feel free to ask as many ?'s as needed.

you know, you could always vacation in unguja (zanzibar, africa, off the coast of tanzania). they're pretty abundant there. all you have to do is find big burly bush, dig it, pack it in a sack (it can survive many days in darkness without water), bring it home and not only will you have had a great vacation, but you'll have all the leaves you ever wanted.

kidding...well actually no, there are some majorly hot aussie and french chicks on the island. go there and you'll easily forget about the zz.

[Howeadypsis]

Thanks for your patience mate. No holidays for me i'm afraid,certainly not abroad,just don't have that kind of money,oh and no passport either,never been out of the UK.

[palmarazzi]

you need to work on getting a passport, so you can expand your photography horizons. i checked out your page, nice. i see you're a guitarist too - we have a lot in common.

[palmmermaid]

(Howeadypsis @ May 14 2007,09:44)

QUOTE

I'd love one, I think theyre cool plants with really glossy leaves, and they are a caudiciform Arum, not many of those about!

Not quite sure what a 'blue hair' is, ah, do you mean OAPs,grannys with blue rinses?

Yep, grannys with blue rinses.  South Florida is full of them in the winter months.  And old men in plaid pants and black knee socks.  We also have cars that drive themselves! (Old people hunched so low you can't see them over the seat).  It's scary down here all year, but in the winter, it is down right terrifying!

[Howeadypsis]

(palmarazzi @ May 16 2007,12:58)

QUOTE

you need to work on getting a passport, so you can expand your photography horizons. i checked out your page, nice. i see you're a guitarist too - we have a lot in common.

LOL, I woulnt use the word guitarist,, I only know 3 chords and dont play those very well; I havent picked up the guitar in ages. She was a Xmas gift tho so I'll never get rid her.

[BobbyinNY]

Yep, grannys with blue rinses.  South Florida is full of them in the winter months.  And old men in plaid pants and black knee socks.  We also have cars that drive themselves! (Old people hunched so low you can't see them over the seat).  It's scary down here all year, but in the winter, it is down right terrifying

Yup, I know ALL about the Blue-Hairs.... They're ALL coming up here now that it's May...... All I see are Florida plates  with no drivers..lololol

[Howeadypsis]

Yea we get em as well, and they indicate left and turn right!