How does cycas reproduce
As one of the oldest extant gymnosperms, cycads are popular among gardening enthusiasts for their unique feathery leaves and thick stems. This tenacious plant can be used not only as a garden landscape tree, but also as a potted plant. Mastering scientific reproduction and maintenance methods can allow your cycads to show their best growth status. Sowing and reproduction are three core technologies for cycads: breaking shells and accelerating germination is the key. When orange-red seeds appear in female plants, full and mature seeds are selected for warm water breaking treatment. Soaking in warm water at 50℃ for 48 hours can soften the seed coat, and disinfection with 0.1% potassium permanganate solution for 30 minutes can significantly increase the germination rate. It is recommended to use a 3:1 mixture of peat soil and river sand, and the thickness of the soil cover is twice the seed diameter. The seedlings can germinate in a constant temperature environment of 25℃ for about 6-8 weeks. Cuttage propagation: Precise moisture control to promote rooting In May, select stem segments of plants mature for more than 5 years, and cut them into 15cm skinned cuttings. Apply plant ash to the incision to prevent rot, and place it in a cool and ventilated place to dry for 3-5 days to form callus. Using a 1:1 mixed substrate of perlite and vermiculite, maintaining 60% air humidity, and heating the bottom to 28℃, a complete root system can be formed in about 2 months. Tillering reproduction: Timing determines success or failure. Before spring germination, select strong tiller buds with a diameter of more than 3 cm and retain part of the aerial roots. Use a disinfectant knife to cut off the mother plant at a 45° angle, apply rooting powder to the incision, and implant it into a matrix made of legus soil and coarse sand. Maintain the shading rate of 70% for the first 3 weeks, and gradually increase the light after the new leaves are unfolded. The five elements of scientific conservation of cycads: soil configuration and pot changing techniques The ideal substrate is humus soil: coarse sand: bone meal in a ratio of 5:3:2, and the pH value is controlled at 6.0-6.5. Adult plants change pots every 3 years, choose pottery pots 5 cm larger than the original pot, and retain 1/3 of the soil to reduce stress response. Light and temperature control Receive 6 hours of direct light every day in spring and autumn, and 50% of the light needs to be blocked from 10:00-15:00 in summer. Maintain the winter above 5℃ in winter, and use rice straw to wrap the stems and stems to prevent freezing damage when the temperature drops sharply. The water and fertilizer management cycle follows the principle of "seeing dry, seeing wet". Water is watered twice a week during the growing season and 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate foliar fertilizer. Water is watered once a month in winter, and 200g of decomposed cake fertilizer is buried as base fertilizer in March every year.
Through scientific reproduction and fine maintenance, the annual growth of cycads can reach 10-15cm. Regular inspection of the back of the leaves to prevent scale insects and maintain ventilation can allow this "living fossil" plant to continue its miracle of life for hundreds of millions of years and become an eternal green sculpture in the courtyard.