Cycad revoluta

[robb]

hello everyone,

i have recently acquired 2 of the Cycad revoluta (common name is Sago Palm sometimes). i transplanted both into slightly larger pots, with fresh potting soil, watered enough to get all the dirt wet. about 1 week later, maybe 10 days, a few of the frond tips are curling upwards, sort of twisting around. nothing is turning yellow, but i wonder if this is the indicator of wilting (more water needed)? or of perhaps overwatering. their culture indicates a preference for well drained, sandy soils. i can repot with added sand/rocks if needed, but i would like to know what i'm doing first

suggestions?

[pikevi]

Hi, robb.

I don't have any cycads. But I am sure these would require more organic matter in the medium than anything else. Drainage may be very important but so is humus.

I think they do well in low light but for a longer period per day. I hope someone has them and can give you more advice.

Do you plan to keep them indoors? I know kamloops can get down to below -5C in winter.

Good luck.

p.s.:
I see that UBC has a forum
http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/

Maybe this may help as well:
http://www.leonardholmes.com/palms/

[BillC]

From a culture point of view the palm is easy to grow and once established is very long lived, tolerating extremes of temperature and light. Some general information on care might be useful for you.

SOIL should be well drained and rich in humus, although these durable plants seem to grow in almost anything. In the landscape or garden, be sure to plant Sagos slightly above the soil line and not in a hole or depression which retains water or is "swampy". Sagos much prefer to be on the dry than the wet side.
WATER AND FERTILIZER needs are related to the amount of light available. Unlike most plants which can wilt when dry or turn yellow from lack of fertilizer, Cycads give little indication of when to water or feed. Generally, they should be treated as a cactus and watered when almost dry.

WATERING: If grown in a container, allow the soil to become almost dry, then water thoroughly slowly adding water around the top of the soil. If the plant is receiving morning or afternoon sun or temperatures are warm, Sagos may need to be watered at least weekly. Plants grown in low light or cool temperatures may need water every few weeks or so. Generally water a plant twice. The first time wets the soil, the second watering a few minutes later soaks the soil. If planted in the landscape, water when dry, but do not keep continuously wet. Established plants can easily survive drought conditions.

FERTILIZER is usually applied during spring and late summer. Sagos growing in partial sun should receive an average rate as listed on the container, those in low light should receive only 1/4 rate. Too little plant food is far better than too much. If organic or slow release fertilizer is used, do not allow any to fall into the plant crown which is protecting the formation of future leaves.

Sorry I cannot advise you on the leaf change; it may be that when you repotted you did not water enough. Good luck with them.

Bill.

[robb]

hello, thanks bill and pikevi!

both plants are indoors currently, as i think our temperatures right now might be a bit extreme, we are still dropping to single digits (celsius) at nite. i have them in the same narrow privacy-diffused southern window as my cymbidiums and other plants. they get a few hours each day of sunlight, the rest indirect. sometimes i open the window for additional air flow. i have been watering only when the soil is quite dry, as i understood they were cacti-like in this aspect, so perhaps i can water a bit more frequently.

i will let you know how they fair!

[pikevi]

You're welcome, robb.

Good luck.

[robb]

well i thoroughly watered the cycads, and have left them to sit for a few days now, and the tips of some branches are still curling up, any ideas why it might be doing this?