How to grow a cycad to bloom
Today, I will explain in detail how to grow a cycad to bloom and share some tips on cycad care. Let's take a look!
When we say someone has done something out of the ordinary, we often use the phrase "a cycad blooming" to describe it. When I was young, there was a cycad in my home, and at that time, my family didn't know much about it, so I had never seen it bloom, and I didn't even know that cycads could bloom.
So, can cycads really bloom, and how can we care for them to make them bloom?
First of all, cycads can indeed bloom!
Although it is not common for cycads to bloom, it only requires some conditions.
I have seen blooming cycads in southern regions like Hainan when traveling, because the main growth area of cycads is in the southern part of our country, where the warm and sunlit environment is exactly what cycads prefer.
Why is it so rare to see cycads bloom? You should know that cycads can live up to 200 years, so their slow growth rate is not surprising.
Generally, cycads bloom every 10 to 20 years, with the flowering period usually from June to August. Especially for friends like me who live in the northern region, the growth cycle of cycads is even slower, and it is even possible that they won't bloom in their entire lifetime if not properly cared for.
Care Methods
Cycads are very resilient and easy to care for, often just needing to be watered. However, such care can only keep the cycad alive but is unlikely to make it bloom.
If you want to witness a cycad blooming, you need to care for it like this—
1. Soil
Cycads prefer well-drained, fertile, and slightly acidic soil. You can generally choose a mixture of sandy soil and decomposed leaf mold, and you can also add a small amount of decomposed manure like horse manure.
How to grow a cycad to bloom
2. Temperature
The temperature that allows cycads to thrive is between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. However, cycads can adapt to a wide range of temperatures, and they will remain evergreen as long as they are not exposed to snow.
In winter, northerners just need to move the cycad indoors, and indoor heating will not affect its growth.
The male flower of a cycad
3. Sunlight
Judging from the fact that cycads are suitable for growing in southern regions, they enjoy sunlight. Just place the cycad on a balcony or in the courtyard on sunny days to allow it to absorb as much sunlight as possible. However, it is also necessary to avoid direct sunlight in the summer, and you can appropriately provide shade during the midsummer to prevent the leaves from turning yellow.
4. Watering
Cycads are drought-resistant and do not like excessive watering. Therefore, water the plant only when the soil is dry.
In the summer growth period, water every 2 to 3 days. After the beginning of autumn, when the weather cools down and the growth rate of cycads slows down, watering every 3 to 5 days is also fine. Remember not to let water accumulate, as this can easily cause root rot and death!
Overwatered cycad
5. Pruning
The leaves of cycads are usually always green, but there are times when leaves turn yellow. In such cases, just cut off the yellow leaves, and periodically prune dense or overly long leaves to maintain the shape. Of course, maintaining the shape is also to enhance the cycad's ornamental value.