john_ny

Today, while raking leaves to put on some basjoos, I discovered some pots that had been taken out of the greenhouse 18 months ago (May 2007) I thought every thing was dead, having sat there, unprotected, through the winter of '07-'08, in New York, but then I saw several little cycads, in 6" pots, that were green. Granted, they mostly had only one green frond on each, so they may have died to the ground, in the winter, and resprouted this past summer. I don't know what kind they are. I don't remember buying them. I probably grew them from seed, or they may have been given to me, as samples, at a Florida show.

Anyone have any similar experiences, or have a clue as to what variety they are?

__________________
John

saltydad

Fascinating! Maybe you have a new cold hardy sport, John. Put me on your list!

__________________
Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men"

"Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon





"If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal."
John F. Kennedy, September, 1960


http://flickr.com/photos/saltydad/ and
http://community.webshots.com/user/saltydad
http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/

john_ny

Howard - If you want one, you've got it. (in the spring) However, I don't think I have a sport. Usually, if you get a "sport", it means one branch of a tree/shrub is different and, if you take a cutting of that branch, you might be able to continue that trait. However, I don't think you can take a cutting of a cycad (you could probably TC it). I think the 6 or 8 plants that I have each originated from a separate seed and, chances are, that all of these seeds exhibited the same variation are rare.
However, I have an area where I planted Callas, with the intention of digging, and storing them in the fall. I didn't do it, and they've come back for 8 years now, so one can be suprised..
Whatever, if any of these make it to the spring, I'll let you know, and you can have one.

__________________
John

Chironex

I just got some cold hardy Cycads from Robert Chumley - his own cross from 2005 and 2008. They are supposed to be cold hardy here in Las Vegas. He might be able to help you ID these.

__________________
Scot

Taylor

Which ones did you get Scot?

Bob

That's an exciting find, especially at this time of year! And for this part of the country. Tropical discovery in your own yard. Were they under a heavy pile of leaves for the year? Keep us posted if you figure out what they are......any pics?

__________________

john_ny

Sorry, no pictures, at this time. My camera died recently and, after inquiring in a few places, it's not worth repairing. Although I paid over $500 for it when I bought it, 6years ago, I can probably get one with more MP for less than $100 now.

The leaves on the cycads were some that had just fallen on them, naturally; we didn't dump any on them, so it wasn't a heavy pile.

__________________
John

Chironex

Finally got around to finding the names of these purchases and gifts from Robert Chumley:

Cycas taitungensis X panzhihuensis an F-1 hybrid by R. Chumley 2008
Cycas taitungensis X guizhouensis hybrid by R. Chumley 2005
Dioon merolae from Mexico
Macro zamia communis from Australia

I was thrilled with the plants and hope to begin growing more of them as time and money permit.

I highly recommend Robert for any Cycads you may want to grow as well as some of his own hybrids. Many are bred for cold-tolerance.

Thanks Robert!!!

__________________
Scot