PalmsNorth.com

Not entirely sure what these will turn out like, others from this mix have shown about 50% branched leaves.

Will need to hold these till April/May before trying to germinate.





Steve

Here they are cleaned,




Started these around the beginning of April, here is one today






Steve

Steve, nice, can't wait to see the branching!

how do you know you had to hold them until April/May before attempting germination?
Did you cut one open to see embryo development?
That's too much of a science for me to figure out

I believe there was an explanation of that in one of Tom Broome's excellent Cycad articles.
Barb

Hi Barb,

Since these seeds were hand pollinated, I had a specific date to work with.
(Should have held them till May, but I couldn't wait

Here is the article that explains the hold times: http://www.plantapalm.com/vce/horticulture/seeds.htm


Will be interesting to see how these turn out!

Steve

So because you hand pollinated them, you knew how many days it would take for seeds to reach maturity?
I've read of seeds "being held", but how do you know how long?

Sorry for the interrogation...

oops will read your link. ignore this post
Barb

THAT'S THE ARTICLE I WAS THINKING OF!!!
Now I get it.
Thanks.
Barb

Not too much longer to wait......






Steve

Sure looks robust and ready to explode!
Barb

Starting with two fronds, ( always nice to see






Steve

So in only two months, it's germinated, sent down a radicle, and is sending up two shoots?????
Absolutely wonderful!

If seeds could talk, mine would be wishing I had your touch, Steve.

Barb

Thanks Barb,
Just 1 out of 2 seeds so far, but I'm happy!
(I did start these a little early, the other one might still catch up


Steve

I'm gonna STARE at the seeds in my styro cups until the beggars do the same as yours
Barb

Barb,
I'm sure yours will catch up, they will probably grow quicker than mine once they get going

(I was informed these seeds should now be labelled Cycas bifida X taitungensis, the Cycas micholitzii in question has now been identified as a form of Cycas bifida)


Steve

A little further along now,






Steve

Steve did you only get two seeds of this? If you got more, could I purchase one from you? If no, thats cool.

Interesting that bifida refers to a spine anomaly.
Might mean something very unusual develops with these plants.

Barb

Wes,
Just two seeds, One germinated, the other swelled up, but no joy yet
These came from eBay, a seller there periodically list some of these for sale. Just do a search using "Cycad"


Barb,
My curiosity got the better of me with these, You're right, might be interesting to see what develops





Steve

fairly quick growing so far,





Steve

Lovely seedling.
No apparent bifida anomaly; as it matures it may have a very distinctive shape/style.
Nicely done.
Barb

Moved this one up to a 1 gallon today, (had just about reached the bottom of the cup)




Steve

One more frond,






Steve

Steve
that's a beautiful plant for one so young.
Interesting that leaves are always? unevenly numbered.

Barb

Just an update, here we are a year later.
(newest leaf still hardening off)







Steve

Crazy amount of growth for such a short period of time.

Wonder if that "abnomaly" will kick in?
There's gotta be a reason it's called bifida.

Well done!
Barb

Thanks Barb, Has been a robust plant!
I believe bifida in this case refers to dichotomously divided leaflets, I'm hoping to see that trait emerge as it ages

Steve