Advice wanted on pollinating encephalartos Ferox

[happypalms]

I need a bit of guidance from the cycas gurus in plant land. I know I have a female Ferox the larger plant in the first picture, and from a bit of horticulture knowledge I think I have a male plant. 
What iam asking is what are the signs iam looking for so I know when to collect the male pollen and how. Also what are the signs to look for with the female cone as to when to pollinate. 
Or can I just get a paint brush and go to town when it looks good, without any specific technique. 
The plants are both 30 years old and where supplied by Rolf kyburz of kyburz palms back in the day. 

[Tracy]

10 hours ago, happypalms said:

I need a bit of guidance from the cycas gurus in plant land. I know I have a female Ferox the larger plant in the first picture, and from a bit of horticulture knowledge I think I have a male plant. 
What iam asking is what are the signs iam looking for so I know when to collect the male pollen and how. Also what are the signs to look for with the female cone as to when to pollinate. 
Or can I just get a paint brush and go to town when it looks good, without any specific technique. 
The plants are both 30 years old and where supplied by Rolf kyburz of kyburz palms back in the day. 

With the male Encephalartos cone, it will elongate before it begins shedding pollen.   A light tap on the cone will show it shedding pollen.  I did this with the Encephalartos horridus cone below and you can see pollen which dropped to the ground after tapping it lightly.  It is an older cone so has already shed most of its pollen.

Cycad pollen is not something safe to inhale or have on your hands so safety is always a priority.   I use a kn95 mask and gloves.  You can collect pollen by putting something below the cone and tapping it or by removing the cone.  I have seen the cone removed and put on a glass table and tapped.  The pollen collection off the table resembles a scene from Al Pachino in Scarface. 

Female cones crack open a little and the megasporaphll scales become a little loose.  You can check them for looseness just by pinching a couple to see if they wiggle or remain tight.

[happypalms]

3 hours ago, Tracy said:

With the male Encephalartos cone, it will elongate before it begins shedding pollen.   A light tap on the cone will show it shedding pollen.  I did this with the Encephalartos horridus cone below and you can see pollen which dropped to the ground after tapping it lightly.  It is an older cone so has already shed most of its pollen.

Cycad pollen is not something safe to inhale or have on your hands so safety is always a priority.   I use a kn95 mask and gloves.  You can collect pollen by putting something below the cone and tapping it or by removing the cone.  I have seen the cone removed and put on a glass table and tapped.  The pollen collection off the table resembles a scene from Al Pachino in Scarface. 

Female cones crack open a little and the megasporaphll scales become a little loose.  You can check them for looseness just by pinching a couple to see if they wiggle or remain tight.

Thank you for tips, I had no idea about the pollen being dangerous. I had a quick google just to find out, and I most certainly don’t want any Parkinson’s disease symptoms related too the cycad just from mishandling. Thank you for warning!!! Now I know why my male taitungensis smelled like mortein fly spray every time I drove past it on the driveway, I shall be removing it in the future. 

[Tracy]

2 hours ago, happypalms said:

Thank you for tips, I had no idea about the pollen being dangerous. I had a quick google just to find out, and I most certainly don’t want any Parkinson’s disease symptoms related too the cycad just from mishandling. Thank you for warning!!! Now I know why my male taitungensis smelled like mortein fly spray every time I drove past it on the driveway, I shall be removing it in the future. 

I wouldn't personally be worried about the scent of the male cones causing any health issues.   It is more when you are in an enclosed space or handling a cone that is actively shedding pollen.  It is a personal judgement call though.  I mix the pollen with water to apply it to female cones so I am not dealing with flying aerosol pollen.  

[happypalms]

26 minutes ago, Tracy said:

I wouldn't personally be worried about the scent of the male cones causing any health issues.   It is more when you are in an enclosed space or handling a cone that is actively shedding pollen.  It is a personal judgement call though.  I mix the pollen with water to apply it to female cones so I am not dealing with flying aerosol pollen.  

Thanks again, iam pretty aware of chemicals as i work on farm and always wear my PPE. But who would have thought the pollen was a danger, seeds yes but pollen! 

[JohnAndSancho]

11 hours ago, happypalms said:

Thanks again, iam pretty aware of chemicals as i work on farm and always wear my PPE. But who would have thought the pollen was a danger, seeds yes but pollen! 

PPE here at Sancho's Green Paws means pants. 

[happypalms]

On 3/5/2026 at 12:29 AM, JohnAndSancho said:

PPE here at Sancho's Green Paws means pants. 

Personal protective equipment, although running around the garden with a pair of pants draped over my head as a face mask, well the neighbours might think I’m a bit crazy, not that there is anything wrong with being a bit crazy where all mad some just more than others!