Cycas
Cycas belongs to the family of cycads (Cycadaceae) and belongs to gymnosperms. Homeland of the plant is Japan, including the Ryukyu trench east and Kyushu. Cycas drooping (C. revoluta) growing also in southern Asia; this plant is perfect for growing in homes, offices and winter gardens.
Morphology
Cycas is not high, slow growing plant with a strong column-barrel that odereviv that looks reminiscent of pineapple. Leaves tsykasu not parnoperys is glossy, colored in bright green or dark -the feropol color.
Plant care
Lighting. Cycas need bright light, but direct sunlight it contraindicated. In summer you can make the plant on a balcony or terrace. From lack of coverage of the stem plants are extracted and soon to yanut.
Temperature. Cycas normally refers to a warm moderate temperatures of 22-25 °С in summer. But winter is better to lower the temperature of the contents to 13-15 °С.
Humidity. Cycas tolerate dry air, but it is best to plant high humidity. Thankfully sees regular spraying, as long as the water does not leak cone plant.
Irrigation. He does not like waterlogged. Spring-summer is recommended to water 1-2 times a week. Between watering the earth to a depth of 2 cm should dry out.
Note. As with spraying to make sure that water does not leak cone Cycas. In it are buds that moisture can rot. In winter, watering should be more moderate.
Feeding. Spring and summer every two to three weeks or integrated universal fertilizer for trees. In winter it is possible to feed the half dose.
Transplantation. Transplants carried out in the spring, every 2-3 years. Cycads suitable soil for trees with a small addition of sand. When transplanting inspect the condition of the roots, provide good drainage, just a little bump in deepening the substrate. If transplanting mature plants are not needed, it just replaces the top layer of soil.
Pruning and shaping. Cycas usually do not require pruning. But if the plant stood in little lit area, new vayy (stem) tsykasa are weak and stretched. These improperly developed stems can be cut and the next spring tsykas should issue new letters.
Bloom. In the indoor environment Cycads palm blossoms rare. Cones formed on shyshtsi Cycas.
Reproduction. Propagated by seeds tsykas and children who grow up in shyshtsi cycads. The plant is removed from the pot, cut off the son (the child) with the stem, slice sprinkled with powdered charcoal or treated with fungicide to prevent rotting.
Cones kids immersed for three-quarters of the land in the substrate, perlite or sand and watered during the first week of 2-3. The second and subsequent weeks reduce watering to 1 day a week. After 4-9 months vkorenytsya plant and can be transplanted to a permanent place of residence.
Cycads seeds germinate within 2-months after sowing.
Diseases and pests. Cycas prone to attack quadraspidiotus perniciosus, thrips and spider mites. Also the plant suffers from overflow and moisture cone. May develop root rot, in which the plant is difficult to recover.
Note!!! All parts of the plant in its raw form is quite poisonous. Do not let your cat chew cone and stem.