CYCAD CARE

Cycads are generally very easy to grow.   They haven't survived since the age of the dinosaurs because they are finicky!  Their main requirement is perfect drainage, as they will develop root rot if water remains stagnant in the soil.  A loose, fast-draining potting mix such a cactus mix is preferred, with a neutral to slightly alkaline soil, pH6 to 7.  Or see our recipe for cycad potting soil below. 

Fertilize with a low phosphorous (3-1-3 ratio) timed-release fertilizer including trace nutrients.  All cycads benefit from a mulch, which will encourage the growth of their coralloid roots.  Rain forest cycads especially are sensitive to salts in the water, so use rainwater or filtered water, if possible.  Those from drier habitats are more tolerant of mineralization in the water. 

Some cycads prefer full sun, others shade, but always keep them oriented in the same direction (e.g., north) to keep the leaves from spiralling out of plane.

Cycads are very hardy plants and are rarely bothered by pests or diseases.  Cycads do exceptionally well in pots.  Terra cotta pots will help to keep the soil on the dry side and provide aeration.  They actually like being root-bound, so do not be too anxious to re-pot.  Always keep pots oriented in the same direction (e.g. facing north) to prevent the leaves from spiralling and twisting out of plane.  Just write "N" on the pot with a felt marker. 

Cycad potting mix:  3 shovels friable loam, 2 shovels coarse sand, 4 shovels milled pine or fir bark, 1 shovel peat moss, one cup complete organic fertilizer (OR 45 grams slow-release balanced pellet fertilizer such as 18:6:18 with micro-elements, 40 grams dolomite lime, 3 grams iron sulphate, 3 grams magnesium sulphate).  Mulch with compost.

Cycads grown in pots do not have access to all the nutrients available when growing in the ground.  During the growing season, when your cycads are summering out of doors, water every so often with a weak dilution of sea kelp or de-odourized liquid fish fertilizer, according to package directions.  This will provide the trace elements they require for optimum growth.

Complete Organic Fertilizer recipe:  4 parts seed meal (i.e. flax or canola), 1 part rock phosphate OR 1/2 part bone meal, 1 part lime, 1/2 part kelp meal.

When planting cycads in the garden be sure they have excellent drainage.  The best way to ensure this is to plant them on a mound and incorporate lots of sand into the soil.   Some species are more tolerant of rainfall and frost than others, so be sure to choose the right plant for your situation.

Asian Cycad Scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui), a native of Thailand, is a pest that has been spread to cycad populations of the southern U.S., the Western Caribbean, and Hawaii.  It has proved devastating to growers in those areas.  So far it has not been found in Canada.  That is another reason we grow all our cycads from seed and do not import any plants from abroad.   (This scale looks like a white powder on the leaves).

CAUTION:  As with many other plants, all parts of cycads are poisonous, especially the seeds.  Keep plants out of the reach of children and pets. 

Encephalartos villosus - antique botanical print