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Cycad care outdoors

melvynpmelvynp Posts: 14
My good lady wife has just purchased a Cycad for her palm / fern garden.

I think as these are not fully hardy it may be a good idea to keep it in a pot and will make it easier to lift and over winter.

I see from the label that it does not like to have the roots wet but the ferns like damp soil.

Would it be best to not plant it in a plastic pot which will retain water or an unglazed pot which should keep the compost a little drier.

Posts

  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I first grew Cycad from seeds in the early/mid 80's.  The original plant has survived and produced many offsets.
    You don't say what size the plant is or where you are located.  Plastic pots with adequate drainage holes are fine - outside, once no risk of frost and sheltered from cold wind, dappled shade will suit them fine throughout the late Spring/summer/Autumn but again it does depend on your particular climate. Lifting the pot off any solid surface is also a good idea.
    I leave mine outside during winter ( SW UK ) but once it gets too cold, the pot and trunk is insulated, the crown is fleeced and the whole plant draped with an old shower curtain to keep off any excess rain.  

  • melvynpmelvynp Posts: 14
    We belong god’s country in the Northeast so perhaps a slightly more challenging climate. 

    From what you say, sounds like you should treat it the same as my Dicksonia Antarctica tree fern?

    The pot will be three quarters sunk into the soil rather than on a solid surface. Do they need plenty of space in the pot or prefer to be almost root bound?

    The plant in the pot stands just over a 1 metre. 
  • melvynpmelvynp Posts: 14
    After after reading advice and have decided to use a terracotta pot with at least 50% increase in size from the pot it’s in with plenty of drainage, then sink the pot in the ground.

    What potting medium are people using? 

    I have plenty peat free compost and wonder if adding sharp sand is enough or does it need more of a grit / gravel type mix?

    Any advice welcome 
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