Posted by Jody
on 10/1/2009, 5:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Encephalartos seedlings not doing good"
67.35.71.30
Mark, I actually disagree with the often-espoused myth that you can over-water a cycad (during the growing season) that is growing in a well-draining medium. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have first-hand experience with killing encephs by under-watering. Cycads do not like "wet feet," but most actually "prefer" an ample supply of water as long as it runs off and is not in direct contact with the roots for an extended period of time. Now trying to grow plants in dense soil that has a high water-holding capacity or in an area of the yard/garden that retains standing water for even a short amount of time is an entirely different issue. But most cycads -- even the blue encephs from the Eastern Cape -- can (and do) grow just fine with routine watering -- provided the soil drains freely and the water quality is good.
--Previous Message--
: Cycads can and do often suffer from
: rot.
:
: A general rule is, when the plants
: are dormant and the temps are cool,
: keep the plants on the dry side.
:
: But during spring, and esp. a hot
: summer, frequent watering is better.
: Beware though, you can overwater
: during summer too, but when the
: plants are in their growth season,
: they are far less suseptible to rot.
:
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