View source for Cultivation of Australian Cycads

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Although the Japanese cycad,
'''''[[Cycas_revoluta]]''''',
is used widely in landscape projects and is popular in
Australian gardens, the horticultural potential of our native
cycads has not yet been realized. True, some demand exists for
'''''[[Lepidozamia_peroffskyana]]'''''
and certain species of '''''[[:Category:Macrozamia|Macrozamia]]'''''
in landscape work but at present most of the Australian
horticultural diversity is in the hands of a relatively small
number of private collectors. However, many indigenous cycads
make striking features in small or large gardens, and can
also be used very effectively in grouped plantings. A few
far-sighted nurserymen have been propagating native cycads
over the past decade and an increasing range of more advanced
material is now becoming available. It is anticipated that
there will be an escalation in the use of Australian and
exotic cycads both in private gardens and in landscape
applications in the future.

Cycads are horticulturally very forgiving plants, requiring
a minimum of attention and being undemanding in their soil,
water and other environmental needs; in this respect they are
ideal for the low-maintenance garden. As with all plants,
however, they do respond to careful planting in good-quality
soft, periodic applications of a balanced fertilizer during
growth phases and to irrigation in times of drought. With
only modest attention, cycads, once established in a garden,
will produce foliage (and cones) quite abundantly - surprising
many gardeners who consider them slow growing plants. Some
thought should be given to the placement of feature cycad
plants; a common fault is underestimating the ultimate size
of the plants and placing specimens too closely to each other
or to other plants.

Cycads mix well with other plants; interesting examples are
garden blends of cycads and palms, cycads and bromeliads,
cycads and succulents (particularly the caudiciforms) and
cycads with grass-trees and other natives. Cycad plantings are
well complimented and somewhat easier to manage when
under-planted with ground-covers such as ornamental grasses,
low-growing flowering perennials, etc. Rocks, pebbles and
mulches can all be similarly beneficial in showing a cycad
planting to its full advantage. Many cycad species make
excellent container specimens and are ideal subjects for
decorative pots on patios, on verandahs and in courtyards.
Most species of '''''[[:Category:Macrozamia|Macrozamia]]''''', 
'''''[[:Category:Lepidozamia|Lepidozamia]]''''' and
'''''[[:Category:Bowenia|Bowenia]]''''' are suitable for containers and for in-ground plantings. 
The Australian '''''[[:Category:Cycas|Cycas]]'''''
species are somewhat more difficult,
especially in areas away from their native northern latitudes.
On a note of warning - many '''''[[:Category:Cycas|Cycas]]''''' and 
'''''[[:Category:Macrozamia|Macrozamia]]'''''
species have sharply-pointed leaflets and strong spines
towards the leaf bases and on the cone scales; these are not
compatible with small children and pets.

Cycads are also becoming increasingly popular as
'''[[Bonsai_Cycads|bonsai subjects]]'''. Again, until recently it has been
'''''[[Cycas_revoluta]]'''''
and to some extent the Mexican 'Cardboard Plant',
'''''[[Zamia_furfuracea|Zamia furfuracea]]'''''
, which have been favoured by the
bonsai enthusiasts. However, almost all the native
'''''[[:Category:Cycas|Cycas]]''''' and 
'''''[[:Category:Macrozamia|Macrozamia]]'''''
species have potential in this
respect - particularly the older, perhaps harshly treated or
neglected plants and those with branches.

A vital factor in cycad growing is that the plants are sited
with good drainage. If necessary, plants should be placed on
built-up mounds especially in gardens with clay soil. Reasonable
attention should be given to the water supply - cycads are
fairly drought tolerant, but long periods of dessication
will eventually take their toll. The cycad species from the
northern parts of Australia are not generally as cold tolerant
as those from the more southern latitudes.

Pest and diseases are relatively untroublesome and can be
readily controlled with commercial preparations. Them is some
concern that cycad plants introduced from the wild bring with
them beetles of the genera ''Melanotranes'' and ''Demyrsus'';
these are trunk borers and can do considerable damage if left
unchecked. It is also the case that larvae of chrysomelid
beetles occasionally feed on the foliage of native 
'''''[[:Category:Cycas|Cycas]]'''''
species, sometimes resulting in complete defoliation of the
plants; this can also occur in garden plantings.

It is a matter of personal choice if one wishes to remove
the dead leaves from plants as new growth flushes appear;
some enthusiasts prefer to have the 'natural look' of the
skirt of dead leaves below the plant's crown, others prefer
the neater appearance of a more manicured specimen.

Cycads are easily grown from seed although some patience is
required for the first few years. Gardeners with access to
male and female plants of the same species are able to
produce their own seed crops by artificial pollination, 
i.e. by dusting the pollen from the male cones into a receptive
female cone of the same species. The seeds take some months
to develop and even after harvesting usually need a few more
months as a 'resting period', during which the embryo slowly
increases in size, before being put into the warm and humid
conditions that lead to germination. Propagation from
'''[[Striking_Cycad_Offsets|suckers or offsets]]''' 
is a somewhat faster process and is similar in
technique to rooting cuttings from shrubs. An application of
sulphur dust or a tree-wound treatment preparation helps to
minimize the chance of rot.

Additional information on
cycad cultivation, propagation and management can be obtained
through the various cycad societies
(see [[Links]]).
On a cautionary note, it must be pointed
out that strict federal and state legislation has been put in
place to protect our flora in national parks, state forests
and on private land. We strongly advise cycad enthusiasts
against removing plants from the wild under any circumstances.
Fortunately, the increasing supply of nursery-propagated
plants makes it relatively easy at present to obtain a
diversity of native cycads at modest prices.

<br clear=all>
===Contributed by: ===
Ken Hill and Roy Osborne from '''''Cycads of Australia'''''
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[[Category:Cycad_Articles|Australian Cycads]]
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[[Category:Beginners|Australian Cycads]]