Steve,
Great germination contraption.

Palmtalk.org calls Z.loddigesii the Best Zamia
Barb

Palmtalk.org calls Z.loddigesii the Best Zamia
Barb

I often refer to this species as "bulletproof:" http://www.plantapalm.com/vce/cycadstory/bulletproof.htm

However, it is not the most cold-hardy cycad. It will definitely have problems with mid 20's F and with frost at any temperature.

Jody

Jody, thanks for the link.

...a heck of a way to find out! 😕

Rather than goofing, I bring them all inside before the first frost, some to a cold building and others to the warm residence. To me, they all appear so delicate.
Barb

Jody,
Thanks for the link! I heard a rumour a while back that Zamia sp. "Mexico" may get a name? Have you heard anything in regards to this?

Barb,
I can only dream about living somewhere with no frost 😀

Steve

I heard a rumour a while back that Zamia sp. "Mexico" may get a name? Have you heard anything in regards to this?

I have not heard anything about this. The plants in this Zamiasp. 'Mexico' group comprise a complex species complex (is that redundant?) that may represent a latitudinal cline of interbreeding populations and/or one or more hybrid swarms and/or who knows what. In Mexico there is a species complex within Zamia that runs north and south up the Caribbean coast (= Z. loddigesiicomplex) and another rather similar complex that runs north and south up the Pacific coast (= Z. paucijugacomplex). I believe the Z. sp. 'Mexico' seeds/plants that people have obtained (directly or indirectly) from Montgomery Botanical Center here in Miami are part of the former species complex, but I am not completely sure of that. As you can tell, MUCH more work needs to be done before any kind of resolution or understanding of these groups will come forth.

Jody

Jody,
I thought this was interesting regarding the Z. paucijuga complex, and i would agree it is going to take a while to sort these out 😀

The chromosome numbers of several species of Zamia from Mexico are reported, Z. paucijuga, distributed from central Oaxaca to Nayarit, has been found to have 2n = 23, 25, 26, 27 and 28. 2n = 28 is the highest chromosome number yet found in the cycads.

Link to abstract: http://www.springerlink.com/content/p5848j2287823476/?p=2d16a9eb9e794095831192b4a265e223&pi=5

Steve

I talked to Robert Chumley about 2-3 days ago and he told me a very interesting story about the "Palatka Giant" and how it got there with the Indians and the St. John's River.
Virtual, I am sure you know all about it, but Steve & others, if your interested, give Robert a call. You will be glad you did. Very cool history lesson.

Here is one that is just getting started,

Steve

Noticed a few breaking the surface today,

Steve

Looks very robust at nearly half the seed thickness. 😯
Barb

Steve, your a pro! 8)

Dean