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Seeing as my Sago palm came back after 2 years with no leaves, Im going to try to grow "florida coontie". Anyone have experience with this?

Canadianplant, I think Steve (Knnn?) is growing it. They might make it down to a 7a/b if HEAVILY mulched.

Ahh, thats the guy I was thinkin of.

I wouldnt want to try this ouside (or do I?? lol), it wil probably be indoors. Was just wondering on peoples experience with it in or out.

I have been growing them for several years, out here on the West Coast (British Columbia, Canada) but in my greenhouse. I keep the greenhouse about 10 degrees Celsius, although sometimes it dips lower if we get below freezing temps outside. They grow slowly but seem pretty hardy, compared to some of the other, more tropical zamias.

Hey guys. 3/5 of the seeds germinated. The thing is, the radicle (root?), has hit the bottom of the container, and is now running against the bottom. There is no indication of a leaf sprouting at all, yet. Its been roughly 4 weeks since i noticed something. Cycads seem to take a while to do anything

keep us updated............post a photo when it emerges through the soil surface.

I forgot the most importiant part of my post LOL:

When should I pot them up?

Cycads form some pretty long roots before much happens above.
I haven't got a Z.floridana but here's my C.panzihuaensis when I potted up:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/3887660354/" title="DSC02866 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2673/3887 ... e487_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02866"></a>

And I think the following was the C.debaoensis, with a regular-sized shovel head for scale:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/4068244363/" title="DSC03047 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2685/4068 ... 4951_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="DSC03047"></a>

Unless your germinating container is REALLY small, I'd leave it until at least one leaf develops.
I used those Big Gulp slushy containers, about 9 inches tall.

Your Z.floridana will likely be an indoor plant at Thunder Bay.

Hopefully Steve (KNNN) will chime in.

Barb

Jesse,
I forgot to post this C.debaoensis "start" pic.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/2689216049/" title="DSC01494 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3200/2689 ... 267c_z.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="DSC01494"></a>

I think it had 2 fully open (six inches long) leaves before I up-potted.

Barb

Thats what im noticing now Barb. Here are a few pics.

Not the best pic, but you can see the roots going along the bottom.

Awfully shallow, Jesse.

Transplanting now might case some mortality.
You may have no choice soon if they wrap around each other.

Its actually about 2 inches deep. They actually caught me off guard. They did nothing for weeks so I stopped looking. I only say them a week ago.

Also, " .. .now might case some mortality".. Case = cease, or cause?

I start mine in the large Styrofoam cups, (6"-9" deep)
You should be okay transplanting them now, set them with the seed either on the surface / or just below.

Steve

Thanks steve. I was wondering how deep of a container to use. I have large dixie cups (bout 6 inches tall), but since there is already a decent amount of rooting, I think im going to just use a tall 2l pop bottle. I can control how deep the pot is, up to 12 inches. I have a feeling once repotted, it wont be long before the leaves pop!

Ill keep you all posted, thanks for the help!

I repotted them all today. I didnt see any root damage. One came with all soil attatched, the others, the soil crubled away.

Your seed/seedlings look nice & healthy, a few more weeks and you'll have leaves

Im tempted to order some more cycad seeds. They are very fulfulling IMO, just because they germinate so cool I can see why some people spend so much of the seeds!!!