Cycads in Containers
This is our inventory of CYCADS in containers. All are 15 to 25 years old, meticulously grown over the years. We collected plants as a hobby starting 1995. At the start of our licensed business January 2003, we began germinating seeds and growing hundreds of liners. Once they were 2-gallon size, 750 were planted in-the-ground in "patches" (tillable lots) throughout our property to receive the full arc of the warm Escondido sun. Watered well on a timed basis with our Irritrol system, they were given a perfect amount of 20-20-20 fertilizer with the Dosatron water-soluble injector. Drainage was excellent in our DG (decomposed granite) soil. Around 2018-2020 they were dug and placed into 15-to-20-gallon containers. These plants developed strong roots and robust, sun-hardened leaves enabling them to be placed directly in customer locations from the coast to 50 miles inland with no issues. Many of our customers have invited us to visit them after their purchase many years ago to show us how marvelous these plants have become. It is thrilling to know that we had a part in their garden of specimens.
With few exceptions (due to rarity) here are the discounts:
50% for GREEN cycads
30% for BLUE cycads
20% for LARGE/MATURE cycads (kept in ground longer) that were recently dug
Two columns are shown, List price vs Discounted price
Genus species
|
Quantity
|
List
|
Discounted
|
|
|
price per inch
|
price per inch
|
Ceratozamia mexicana Last 4 left!
|
|
$69
|
$34.50
|
5 gal 3", 34" tall, 44" spread
|
1
|
|
|
5 gal 3.5", 24" tall, 36" spread
|
1
|
|
|
7 gal 4.5", 46" tall, 58" spread
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal (m) 6", 36" tall, 48" spread
|
1
|
|
|
Cycas media
|
|
$59
|
$29.50
|
3 gal, 2"
|
1
|
|
|
Cycas panzhihuaensis
|
|
$89
|
|
10 gal, 3.5"
|
1
|
|
$220
|
20 gal, 12" cw, 52" tall, (f)
|
1
|
|
$750
|
20 gal, 12" cw, 52" tall, (m)
|
1
|
|
$750
|
Cycas pectinata
|
|
$89
|
$44.50
|
5 gal, 3" cw, 1.5" ch, 26" tall
|
1
|
|
|
5 gal, 3.5"
|
1
|
|
|
Cycas petraea
|
|
$89
|
$44.50
|
tall gal, 1.5"
|
1
|
|
|
5 gal, 1.5"
|
1
|
|
|
5 gal, 3"
|
2
|
|
|
5 gal, 3.5"
|
1
|
|
|
5 gal, 3.5" cw, 2" ch, 26" tall
|
1
|
|
|
5 gal, 4"
|
3
|
|
|
5 gal, 4.25"
|
1
|
|
|
Cycas revoluta(Sago Palm)
|
|
$19
|
$9.50
|
15 gal, 4"-6.5"
|
14
|
|
|
Cycas revoluta x debaoensis
|
|
$89
|
$44.50
|
15 gal, 6"
|
1
|
|
|
Cycas schumanniana, this cycad is rare
|
|
$69
|
$34.50
|
5 gal, 3.5"
|
1
|
|
|
Cycas sp.
|
|
$49
|
$24.50
|
5 gal
|
2
|
|
|
Cycas taitungensis
|
|
$49
|
$24.50
|
15 gal, 3.5"-6"
|
11
|
|
|
Cycas thouarsii (seeds came from Madagascar JAN2004)
|
|
|
|
15 gal, 4"-5"cw, 9"-10ch, 4' -5' tall
|
37
|
$240 flat
|
$120 flat
|
15 gal, 5"cw, 12"ch, 42" tall
|
2
|
$300 flat
|
$150 flat
|
20 gal, 5"
|
1
|
$320 flat
|
$160 flat
|
Dioon califanoi (green-gray, keel leaves) 20% discount
|
|
$129
|
$103.20
|
Don't know about D. califanoi?
|
|
|
|
Go to the bottom of the list to Dioon califanoi
|
|
|
|
1 gal
|
4
|
|
|
5 gal, 1.5"-3.5"
|
20
|
|
|
7 gal, 4.25", 5", 5"
|
3
|
|
|
15 gal, 4.5" Last one of size
|
1
|
|
|
Dioon edule 'Jacala' (blue in full sun)
|
|
$79
|
$39.50
|
13 gal, 2"-4"
|
6
|
|
|
15 gal, 3"-6"
|
17
|
|
|
Dioon edule 'Rio Verde' (Green River)
|
|
$69
|
$34.50
|
5 gal, 2"-4"
|
3
|
|
|
15 gal, 4"-6"
|
3
|
|
|
13 gal, 4" + 2 pups
|
1
|
|
|
Dioon edule 'Rio Verde' (Green River) 20% discount
|
|
|
|
15 gal, 5.5" (m), 25 YO, MATURE
|
1
|
$69
|
$55.20
|
15 gal, 6", 25 YO, MATURE
|
2
|
|
|
15 gal, (m), 7", 3.5" (10.5"), 25 YO, MATURE
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, (f) 9.5", 23 YO, MATURE. Instant landscape!
|
1
|
|
|
Dioon holmgrenii
|
|
|
|
7 gal, 3"-5"
|
4
|
$79
|
$47.40
|
15 gal, 5", exceptional!
|
1
|
|
|
Dioon merolae
|
|
$79
|
$47.40
|
7 gal, 4"-5"
|
10
|
|
|
15 gal, 4"-6", large, ready to impress your visitors!
|
4
|
|
|
Encephalartos aemulans large selection, great value
|
|
$119
|
$59.50
|
7 gal, 4.25", in ground since 2007
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 4"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 5"-9"
|
6
|
|
|
15 gal, 6"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 8" + 1 pup
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 8"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 9"
|
2
|
|
|
15 gal, 11"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 8.5"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 9"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 9.5" (m)
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, (f), 9.5", 1" (10.5")
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 9.5", 1" (10.5")
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 11" (f)
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 11"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 11" + 2 pups
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 8.5", 3" + 2pups (11.5")
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos aemulans MATURE
|
|
$119
|
$95.20
|
24" box, 13" (extraordinary specimen! Instant Landscape)
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos altensteinii
|
|
$99
|
$49.50
|
15 gal, 7" + 1 pup
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 7.5"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 9"
|
4
|
|
|
Encephalartos arenarius
|
1
|
|
$134.10
|
20 gal, 12", 25 YO, green-blue
|
|
|
|
Encephalartos arenarius x horridus
|
|
|
|
Hobby House
|
|
|
|
5 gal, 2", beautiful! 20% discount
|
1
|
$119
|
$95.20
|
Encephalartos chimanimaniensis
|
|
|
|
15 gal, 7"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 8"
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos concinnus (Ian Turner seeds 2003)
|
|
$99
|
$79.20
|
15 gal, 8.5", 21 YO
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos eugene-maraisii Kran
|
|
$199
|
$159.20
|
5 gal, 1.5", in ground since 2007
|
1
|
|
|
5 gal, 2", in ground since 2007
|
1
|
|
|
5 gal, 3", 1.5" (4.5") in ground since 2007
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos ferox
|
|
$59
|
$29.50
|
5 gal, 3.5" to 5"
|
7
|
|
|
15 gal, 4", 2"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 4.5", 2"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 5", 3", 2", 2", 1"
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos gratus
|
|
$89
|
$44.50
|
5 gal, 2"
|
1
|
|
|
5 gal, 2.75", in ground since 2007
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 5"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 11"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 12.5"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 13"
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos 'Greatholzmanii' (gratus x mani, Holzman)
|
|
$59
|
$29.50
|
5 gal, 3"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 6"
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos hildebrandtii
|
|
$69
|
$48.30
|
5 gal, 2.5", 22" tall, in ground since 2007
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos horridus
|
|
$120
|
$84.00
|
West side, planted Horridus Patch 2007 (22 YO)
|
|
|
|
24" box, 7", 6", 5", 5", 5", 5", 4" (37")
|
1
|
|
|
24" box, 9", 8", 7.5", 7", 6.5", 6", 5", 5", 4" (58")
|
1
|
|
|
Pool center isle, planted Horridus Patch 2007 (22 YO)
|
|
|
|
7 gal, 2.5"
|
1
|
|
|
10 gal, 2"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 4"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 5"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 5.5"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 6", green blue variety, rooting out, NFS
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 6"
|
3
|
|
|
15 gal, 2.5", 1.5", 1.25", 1" (6.25")
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 7"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 6", 1" (7")
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 7"+ 3 pups
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 4.5", 2.5" (7")
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 7", 2", 1" +1p (10")
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 5", 2", 2", 1.5", 1.5" (12")
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 6", 3.5", 3" + 1p (12.5")
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 5", 4", 4", 3.5, 3" (19.5")
|
1
|
|
|
24" box, (m), 11", 9" (20")
|
1
|
|
|
24" box, 7", 5", 4", 4", 3", 3", 3", 2" (31")
|
1
|
|
|
24" box, 11", 8", 5", 4", 4", 4", 1p (36")
|
1
|
|
|
Pool east, planted Horridus Patch 2007 (22 YO)
|
|
|
|
20 gal, 8.5", 9" (17.5")
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 6.5", 5", 3", 3", 2" (19.5")
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 5.5", 4", 4", 3", 2", 2" (20.5")
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 6", 6", 6", 5" (23")
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 7", 6", 6", 4" (23")
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 6", 4", 4", 3.5", 3", 3" (23.5")
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 7.5", 4", 4", 4", 3", 2" (24.5")
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 6.5", 5.5", 5", 4", 4" (25")
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 8", 6", 5", 4", 4", 3" +1 pup (30")
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos kisambo
|
|
|
|
7 gal, 3.5", in ground since 2007
|
3
|
$79
|
$39.50
|
7 gal, 4", in ground since 2007
|
2
|
|
|
15 gal, 3", container grown
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 8", container grown
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 5", MATURE, 21 YO
|
1
|
$79
|
$55.30
|
Encephalartos lebomboensis
|
|
$89
|
$44.50
|
5 gal, 6.5"
|
1
|
|
|
7 gal, 5"
|
1
|
|
|
7 gal, 6"
|
1
|
|
|
7 gal, 6" + 1 pup
|
1
|
|
|
7 gal, 6.5"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 6.5" + 2 pups
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 7" + 1 pup with cone
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 7.5", 2", 1" (10.5")
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 8"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 9"
|
2
|
|
|
15 gal, 8.5"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 9.5"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 9"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 10"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 10.5"
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos lehmannii (very blue)
|
|
|
|
Hobby House
|
|
|
|
5 gal, 3.5" (f), offset, rooting out, NFS
|
|
|
15 gal, 5" (f), new flush, perfect form
|
1
|
$139
|
$111.20
|
15 gal, 7" (f), new flush, perfect form
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 9.5" (f), new flush, perfect form
|
1
|
|
|
Pool west
|
|
|
|
15 gal, 4", 2.5", 3", 2", 3", 2" (16.5") MATURE
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos longifolius, blue, 30% discount
|
|
$129
|
$90.30
|
5 gal, 3.25", in ground since 2007
|
1
|
|
|
7 gal, 3"
|
1
|
|
|
7 gal, 5" cluster
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 4", 1" (5)
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 5.5"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 4.5", 1.5" (6")
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 3", 2", 1" + 2 pups (6")
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 7" cluster
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos longifolius, blunt (blue-green)
|
|
$109
|
$76.30
|
7 gal, 3"
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos longifolius, green (keel, recurved leaves)
|
|
$89
|
$44.50
|
5 gal, 2"
|
1
|
|
|
5 gal, 4"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 6" + 1 pup
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 7" + 1 pup
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 7.5"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 7"
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos manikensis
|
|
$79
|
$39.50
|
15 gal, 4.5"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 5"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 6.5"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 7"
|
2
|
|
|
15 gal, 8"
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos mani x gratus (vibrant, strong)
|
|
$69
|
$34.50
|
20 gal
|
|
|
|
Encephalartos msinganus
|
|
$109
|
$54.50
|
Pool west, planted Greenhouse Bank 2014, 30% discount
|
|
|
|
7 gal, 3", MATURE
|
2
|
$109
|
$76.30
|
10 gal, 5", MATURE
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 6", 2" (8"), MATURE
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal lengthened container, 5.5", 2" (7.5"), MATURE
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos natalensis
|
|
$79
|
$39.50
|
15 gal, 6"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 7.5"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 8"
|
2
|
|
|
20 gal, 11"
|
4
|
|
|
20 gal, 11" (m)
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 10"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 8.5", 5" (13.5")
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos princeps -- highly sought after!
|
|
|
|
5 gal, 1", grown many years in Ficus Tree shade NFS
|
|
|
|
Encephalartos sclavoi
|
|
|
|
7 gal, 4", container grown New flush!
|
1
|
$109
|
$54.50
|
Encephalartos senticosus
|
|
$69
|
$34.50
|
15 gal, 7"
|
3
|
|
|
20 gal, 12" (m)
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos transvenosus
|
|
$99
|
$49.50
|
15 gal, 8"
|
2
|
|
|
Encephalartos trispinosus (blue in full sun)
|
|
|
|
Hobby House
|
|
|
|
7 gal, (f), 3.5", 30% discount
|
1
|
$139
|
$97.30
|
7 gal, (f), 5", rooting out, NFS
|
1
|
$139
|
$97.30
|
Pool west
|
|
|
|
10 gal, 2", 30% discount
|
2
|
$139
|
$97.30
|
10 gal, 2.5", 30% discount
|
1
|
$139
|
$97.30
|
10 gal, (f), 5.5", 20% discount
|
1
|
$139
|
$111.20
|
15 gal, 3" 12 YO, MATURE, 20% discount
|
1
|
$139
|
$111.20
|
10 gal, (f), 3"
|
1
|
$139
|
$97.30
|
15 gal, (f), 3.5"
|
1
|
$139
|
$97.30
|
15 gal, (f), 5"
|
1
|
$139
|
$97.30
|
Pool east
|
|
|
|
Encephalartos trispinosus, spineless (blue in full sun)
|
|
$149
|
$104.30
|
15 gal, 5"
|
3
|
|
|
15 gal, 5.5"
|
2
|
|
|
15 gal, 6"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 3.5", 3.5" (7")
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 6", 1" (7")
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 4.5", 4" (8.5")
|
1
|
|
|
Pool east, Hobby House
|
|
|
|
Encephalartos villosus
|
|
$79
|
$39.50
|
5 gal 4", 4.5"
|
2
|
|
|
15 gal, 7"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 5" to 7"
|
5
|
|
|
20 gal, 8"cw, 5"ch, 82" tall
|
1
|
|
|
Encephalartos whitelockii, most erect cycad, 30% discount
|
|
$139
|
$97.30
|
7 gal, 4"
|
3
|
|
|
15 gal, 7.5"
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal, 7.5"
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 9" as of 02JUL2024
|
1
|
|
|
20 gal, 9" as of 02JUL2024
|
1
|
|
|
Lepidozamia peroffskyana
|
|
$129
|
$64.50
|
15 gal, 3"- 5"
|
8
|
|
|
Macrozamia communis
|
|
$39
|
$19.50
|
15 gal, 2"-4"
|
3
|
|
|
Zamia amblyphyllidia
|
|
$59
|
$29.50
|
5 gal (f); 3 ea 4" clusters
|
1
|
|
|
15 gal (m), 4.5"
|
1
|
|
|
Zamia 'Cayman Islands'
|
|
$79
|
$39.50
|
5 gal (m), 3.5", 34" tall
|
1
|
|
|
Zamia floridana
|
|
$49
|
$24.50
|
3 gal
|
2
|
|
|
5 gal
|
2
|
|
|
Zamia floridana 'curly'
|
|
$59
|
$29.50
|
5 gal
|
2
|
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Zamia furfuracea
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$39
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$19.50
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10 gal, 4"-6"
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16
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Zamia furfuracea (wider leaf form)
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$49
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$24.50
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20 gal
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2
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|
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Zamia herrerae 'Chiapas'
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$49
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$24.50
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Zamia inermis, rare
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|
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5 gal, 3", 30% discount
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1
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$79
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$55.30
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Zamia integrifolia
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$49
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$24.50
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3 gal
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2
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|
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5 gal (f)
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1
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|
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7 gal (m)
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1
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Zamia loddigesii
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$39
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$19.50
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5 gal, 4" to 7", 2'-3' tall
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45
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|
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Zamia paucijuga
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$49
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$24.50
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5 gal, 4" to 6" cw (m) & (f), 3'-4' tall
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28
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|
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15 gal, 2" cluster + 3" + 4"
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1
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|
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Zamia polymorpha
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$59
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$29.50
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5 gal, 2.5"
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4
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|
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Zamia pumila
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$49
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$24.50
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5 gal (m)
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2
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|
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5 gal (f)
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3
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Zamia sp.
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$39
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$19.50
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Liners
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12
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|
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1 gal
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3
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|
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5 gal
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1
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Zamia sp. 'Mexico'
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|
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tall gal, 1"
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1
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$29 flat
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$14.50 flat
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tall gal, 1.5"
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1
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$29 flat
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$14.50 flat
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tall gal, 1.5", 1.5" , 2"
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1
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$39 flat
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$19.50 flat
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tall gal
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13
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$29 flat
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$14.50 flat
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5 gal, 3.5", 45" tall
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1
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$44 flat
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$22.00 flat
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5 gal
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1
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$49 flat
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$24.50 flat
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Zamia variegata(was picta)
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$59
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$29.50
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5 gal, 4"-9" cw, 5'-6' tall (beautiful yellow dots)
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14
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Zamia vasquezii
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$45
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$22.50
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7 gal (f), 30" tall
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1
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|
|
|
|
|
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Updated
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11/6/2024
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You have been searching high and low for a special cycad. Did you find it in the above container list?
Go to the above right side to tabs, 'Cycads in Ground' or 'Cycads Personal'. Both options are presently in-the-ground but not to worry, they can be dug and made ready for you to keep in a container for many years or to be planted in your garden. Go there and look.
'Cycads in Ground' tab; these are cycads that can be prepared for sale in one day. They are planted in plots where the soil is tillable and easy to dig.
'Cycads Personal' tab; we collected these rare and special cycads for our personal enjoyment and to allow the buyer to see how they may look in their home setting. Most are approaching 25 years old, have grown large and must be sold.
Dioon califanoi
Many Dioon species are claimed to be rare, special and highly desired, and most of those are small and would fit well in a small patio. No argument. If, however, you want a more prominent 6 feet or taller Dioon that is amazingly ornamental, with gray-green, slight blue hue color, having a form no other Dioon has, like arching, keel leaves (V-shaped like the bottom of a boat) that are mesmerizing, then the Dioon califanoi is for you. By far, it is our favorite Dioon.
The tips of the leaves are pointy-sharp (termed pungent), similar to the Encephalartos lehmannii. When the califanoi is placed next to a lehmannii in a garden, folks will notice the califanoi has precise, nearly perfect stacking of the stiff leaflets. This cycad becomes a conversation starter, and you can proudly inform them that the Encephalartos are from South Africa (so very far away) but the Dioon califanoi is from nearby Oaxaca (pronounced Oh-wahkah), Mexico. They will think you are a botanical expert, but being humble you will say that you are a passionate collector.
The following two photos are of Dioon califanoi here at Indian Rock.
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The photo on the left is an 8" caudex width califanoi, part of a 10-count group grown in-ground for 13 years. Simply awesome. All were SOLD!
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The photo on the right is a 3" caudex width califanoi, from an 18-count collection of offsets grown from the large califanoi' shown in the left photo. Once dug, their soil was removed with water, roots treated with fungicide and root hormone and placed in virgin perlite for one year. They were then shifted to 5-gallon containers of Graeme Fairlie's soil. Most of the roots extend the full distance down the 5-gallon container. These are AVAILABLE!
If you've been looking for a very nice Dioon that is robust, attractive and affordable, get one from Indian Rock before they are sold out.
Price: Sizes range from 1.5" to 3".
For a 3" caudex width, $129./inch discounted to $103.20/inch. $103.20/inch x 3" = $309.60
Dioon califanoi, grown, 8" caudex width Dioon califanoi, offset, 3" caudex width
SOLD! AVAILABLE!
Encephalartos aemulans
The aemulans in the photo below with 13” caudex was one that I picked out for my AZ customer. It had been growing in-the-ground since 2005 and was approaching 20 years old. After digging it and placing it into the Kubota loader, one of the leaf stems where it is attached to the caudex simply broke off, severing cleanly. Phooey. The stems of each leaf at the base were quite large, about 1” in diameter. Biggest cycad I’ve ever had.
So, it is missing one leaf, not a big deal. Then during placement into a 24” box (it went to the bottom), another leaf stem severed. It was getting ugly. It looked like all would be severed easily. Wow, I can’t let him haul this thing all the way to AZ and have the rest break off. So, I found a perfect 14” caudex aemulans with stems around 1/2” in diameter. You would be hard-pressed to pull one of these stems from its caudex; tough as nails He was delighted, saw my original choice and agreed to the 14” one. We’re both happy. Whew.
Louise and I placed this big guy in our Encephalartos container area. I decided to cut all the leaves away, which many times initiates/triggers growth of a new flush. After 2 weeks something new appeared, a 30” flush! See the photo below.
It was time for this cycad to discard those old leaves, that’s all I can say. It is beautiful now.
Encephalartos aemulans, in-ground to 24” wooden box, JUL2020. See story above. This was dug from the 300 Patch having thick, long leaves but those leaves began to sever right at the caudex interface. This photo doesn’t show the old leaves but shows the new flush after the old leaves were removed.
Encephalartos aemulans, 24” wooden box since JUL2020, now JUL2023. 13” caudex width, 63” tall, 48” wide.
Provenance: Acquired as a 3” x 3” x 9” liner from Bill McDaniels, Cycad Ranch, MAR2003. Planted as a 1 gallon into the 300 Patch OCT2005. Dug JUL2020. About 21 years old. A striking, elegant, specimen cycad.
Encephalartos lehmannii, 20 gal, 8", from Sparkman estate, flawless! This was SOLD!
A good friend of mine and a very experienced cycad collector said that if a person has just become acquainted with cycads and is considering buying one, a very good one, what would he suggest? =>The renowned Encephalartos lehmannii. Why? It fits nicely in a small area for at least 15 years, then growing larger, is elegantly finished with leaflets that have smooth margins (no jagged edges), leaflets pleasingly shaped like a spear, with a small separation between leaflets (no overlap). A friendly cycad with sharp leaflet tips but has no prickles on the leaflet edges. It has the most glorious blue to blue-silver to silver color. The leaf (stalk) at its bottom as it attaches to the caudex forms a blonde/golden ring (see rings on photo below), quite distinctive. Most collectors claim it is bulletproof, handling temperatures as low as 20°F and easily handling full sun along western California (in desert areas provide some canopy). It is my favorite blue cycad!
Encephalartos gratus, 20-gal, 10.5" to 14".
This cycad's habitat is Central Africa. This geographical area near the equator has high humidity which effectively shelters plants from intense sun rays. This cycad is best grown here in southern California in dappled light, or high cover where tall trees create scanning patterns of sun rays with less intensity. It can be grown in a coastal location with good results but remember there are Santa Ana winds that can quickly change a moderate climate. An alternative is to plant this cycad on the east side of a home or a wall; the cycad receives warm sun in the morning but because the sun breaks over the roof or wall, there is bright light but no direct sun on this cycad. This cycad relies on pulling up moisture in a reasonable period of time from its ground location; we have found that this cycad doesn't always achieve that when placed in a container.
Note the gorgeous green color of these Encephalartos gratus leaves. You can achieve these results using the above methods.
Encephalartos ferox, 30-gallon, 13-inch caudex, 6.5 feet tall, 3 feet wide.
This one was SOLD but we have more.
Here is an excellent example of an Encephalartos that prefers dappled light, the Encephalartos ferox. Other Encephalartos having similar sunlight restrictions would be the hildebrandtii, laurentianus and villosus. Many 5 gallon E. ferox' are available.
The ferox can take an enormous amount of time to become tall like this example. Stick this cycad in a heavily shaded spot, like beneath an avocado tree and you will see little in 5 years, knee-high in 10 years and maybe waist high in 15 years. How do you speed this process up? Always plant in the ground for growth is 3 to 5 times that of cycads grown in containers.
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Plant in coastal sun with no overhead trees or shade. Unfortunately a Santa Ana may do damage.
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Plant in inland sun on the east side of a house or structure. When the sun breaks over this structure towards the west, the light level on the east side will lower and be satisfactory. Experiment with the ferox in a container for several months; water well to insure the plant can draw up water during this experiment. If this ferox does not yellow or turn lime-green, this is a satisfactory location.
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Plant in inland sun under 30% shade cloth. This material has to be special ordered and is ugly, not acceptable as a permanent solution.
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Plant in inland sun beneath Queen palms that are arranged with about 16 feet separation. The sunlight will shine through openings. As the earth turns this sunlight will "move" across the leaves and not burn. This is exactly what the ferox wants--a bite of sun but no more. Similarly, plant beneath Schizlobium parahybum trees spaced around 14 feet.
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