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GROWING CYCADS

REPOTTING A CYCAD

by Phil & Jesse Bergman

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Description of Article
This article is a pictorial guide to repotting of a cycad plant.  There is discussion of when and how to put your cycad into a larger container, the preferable pot size to use and things to avoid. 

Introduction

As many of you know, there is very little information in books and on the Internet about how to grow cycads.  If given good culture, cycads will grow and many species are actually fairly "fast" growers.  As a plant gets larger, its roots and root mass also grow.  This requires repotting the cycad into a larger container.  I am often asked "how do I do it?"  At our nursery, we repot thousands of cycads.  What this article will do is give you a series of pictures with discussion on the actual process of moving a cycad into a larger container.  I will make comments on each topic discussed below and discuss container size, cycad potting soil, things to avoid, and make general comments on cycad culture.

WHAT SIZE OF NEW CONTAINER DO I USE?

The general rule is that one selects the next larger size of container, but this is variable.  It might also depend on what containers are available to you.  In The West Coast, container sizes are different than in the Eastern U.S.  Out here we go by "gallon size" whereas back East the containers are measured in "inches" such as "eight inch", "ten inch", etc.  One could simply select a container that is three to six inches greater in diameter and also in depth.  You may have heard that cycads like "deep pots".  This is true.  I would take depth over diameter when selecting a container size.  This is why the citrus pot size is more popular than the 5 gallon pot.  It is more narrow, but about 3 to 6 inches deeper.  This gives the roots more room.  Above 15g size it is sometimes better to go with a 24 inch box.  This is because available pots greater than the 15g size often are no deeper than the 15g.  In fact, the typical 20g pot is the exact same depth as a 15g pot.  Note should be made that some people prefer un-glazed clay pots saying they "breathe better".  This is true and may aerate the roots better.  But, containers made from clay are much more expensive that plastic pots.  If the clay pot has an enamel coat, it will breathe no better than a plastic pot.  

  Select a container 3 to 6 inches wider and deeper than the existing pot
  Try to select a new container that adds depth (taller pot) thus giving more root depth

WHAT TYPE OF POTTING SOIL DO I USE?

Although there's variability in the needs between cycad genera, in general all types of cycads like a good draining soil.  What "good draining" means is that you will promptly see any added water into the pot come through the bottom holes in a matter of seconds.  If you water your plant and it takes several minutes for water to appear out of the bottom drain holes, your drainage is not optimal.  Materials that promote drainage include such items as pumice, pebbles, large Perlite, very coarse sand, coarse decomposed granite, wood chips (until they break down) and coarse peat moss.  Items that slow drainage include fine sand (20 grit as an example), clay soil, fine top soil, or any fine particulate matter.  You can use topsoil in a cycad mix, but you must "open it up" with the more coarse items or it will not drain well.  Below is a general recipe for cycad soil with comments about the mix we use at the nursery.

To the right are photos of our cycad soil

WHAT TIME OF YEAR IS BEST TO TRANSPLANT

Cycads are very sturdy plants and are not difficult to grow.  If you live in a warmer climate, you can repot them at any time during the growing season, which is early spring to mid and maybe even late fall.  This depends onw where you live.  If you have a greenhouse you are growing the plants in, then almost any time of year would work.  Some prefer to repot their plants in late winter or early spring, thus giving them a full growing season ahead.  If you have a significant problem like a torn container or very poor drainage, I would favor repotting immediately as opposed to waiting for a more optimal time.