Cycas Revoluta

Class

Cycadopsida

Division

Gymnospermae

Family

Cycadaceae

Order

Cycadales

Genus

Cycas

Species

revoluta

Description

The Cycas is one of the oldest species on Earth. It develops a leathery, robust vegetation with radially arranged foliage.
It can be cultivated either as a house plant or, in temperate zones, as an ornamental in the garden or terrace.
A dioecious species, it has female and male individuals, which, however, do not differ in their vegetative appearance.
After a certain age the plant starts to produce bulbs (offspring) which in turn can be detached and cultivated separately.

Curiosities and special features

Cycas revoluta belongs to the order Cycadales, the oldest of the Gymnosperms and dating back some 300 million years.

Origin and distribution

Species native to a range extending from China (Fujian), Japan (southern Shikoku, Kyushu) to eastern Taiwan, where it grows as a shrub mainly in the subtropical biome. Collected in Japan in 1775 by the botanist Carl Peter Thunberg, it was first introduced and cultivated in Europe in 1793 at the Botanical Garden of Palermo.

Leaf

The persistent, pinnate, leathery leaves have stiff needle-like laminae and are clustered in spiral crowns. They appear coiled, closed on themselves and pubescent only in the juvenile stage.

Leaf colour

Leafs are plain, bright green.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.3 to 3 m, depending on the size of the pot and the growing conditions.

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen plant.

Where to plant

Versatile, it is suitable for gardens and parks, terraces, indoor pools, in flowerbeds in temperate zones, depending on the temperatures described in the relevant section.

Stem

The stem is semi-woody, columnar with a rough surface due to the permanence of the old leaf bases, it also has suckers or basal shoots.

Flower

It flowers from mid-summer to autumn, with a flowering period of between 120 and 150 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Medium long-lived, relatively slow-growing plant.

Generally makes one vegetation per year (one turn of Leaf) in temperate climate zones.

Plant habit

It develops an upright plant habit with open foliage.

Branching

Cycas revoluta does not branch due to the lack of axillary buds, however it can develop basal shoots.

PH

The ideal pH of the soil or substrate for Cycas is between 5.8 and 6.5. An acidity level below 5.0 can lead to slow vegetative growth.

Sun exposure

The following types of exposure are recommended: indoor in the cold season, light source indoors, half shade, full sun.

Ensure plenty of light and protect it from draughts.

Ideal climate and temperature

It prefers a warm and dry climate, making it suitable for a Mediterranean habitat. The ideal temperature is between 20 and 35 °C. The vital temperature is between 5 and 40 °C. At 10 °C, the leaves are damaged in wet cold weather.

Use

The uniqueness of its vegetative development gives Cycas revoluta a primary role in:
Ornamental environment External ornamental field Indoor ornamental environment

Outdoor cultivation is dependent on the climatic conditions present as it is suitable for the milder areas of the Mediterranean region.

Hardiness

Cycas is a plant with medium to high hardiness but is very sensitive to hail, which causes irreversible puncturing on the leaves.

Soil

Use a new substrate with excellent drainage capacity, containing peat, bark and pumice.

Difficulty

Under the right conditions, cultivation is fairly easy with a low level of maintenance.

Growing tips

Some specific cultivation instructions:
Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures Prefers warm and dry climate

Planting

Transplant in mid-spring, if minimum temperatures allow, applying an average density of 1 specimen per square metre in consideration of the size then achieved.

Pruning

In spring, remove yellowed and/or dried Leaf with a clean cut using clean, sharp blades, also wear gloves.

Propagation

Propagation can take place from seed but is mainly by agamic means from suckers formed at the base of the plant.

Watering

Apply temperate water directly to the foot of the plant, preventing waterlogging that leads to rot and leaf yellowing. Avoid watering above the foliage if water rich in carbonates or bicarbonates is available. Carry out regular watering, particularly during the growing season.

Fertilising

From spring to early autumn, supply the substrate with a specific liquid fertiliser by fertigation, to be diluted in the irrigation water without exceeding the dosage and frequency.

A good supply of Iron and Zinc is important; deficiency of the latter element often results in marginal yellowing on the leaves.

Manganese deficiency can lead to chlorosis, deformation and leaf necrosis.

Pet safety

Toxic

Edibility for humans

Non-edible

Toxicity for humans

Toxic

Tip

It is of utmost importance that there is a good supply of Iron and Zinc in the fertilising, deficiency of the latter element often causing marginal yellowing on the Leaf.