Cycas desolata grafted onto C. revoluta

Item description : One Cycas desolata grafted onto C. revoluta, with a 3cm caudex approximately (the rootstock is around 7-8cm), in a 3L pot.  The plant for sale is the plant on pictures. A caresheet is provided with the plant. 

Why grafting cycads? The Australian Cycas are almost impossible to grow under the European climate, even in Italy or Spain! Lots have tried, most failed and that’s why you never see nice ones being offered. The climate isn’t warm enough and in the best of the cases, the plants survive but grow very slowly, and in the ground they rot because of winter rais. Even in a lighted and heated greenhouse, the results are mediocre. I offer the first grafted blue Cycas in exclusivity!

The advantages of grafting: The plants are not prone to root rot, just like revoluta, no worry about overwatering when temperatures become lower! The C. revoluta roostock is perfectly adapted to the European climate. The grafted plants are very easy to take care of and grow 5 times faster than the non grafted ones!

The drawbacks of grafting: The revoluta roostock tends to make offsets that have to be cut quite frequently. Unfortunately, the rootsock doesn’t transmit its cold resistance to the blue Cycas, so it has to be kept frost free. Cycas revoluta is very hungry for iron, so it should be given iron chelate or blood meal at least twice a year.

Habitat and Description : One of the bluest and rarest Cycas in cultivation. It’s the real Cycas desolata, in the past most of the offered desolata turned out to be cairnsiana or couttsiana; At this stage it’s already different from grafted couttsiana and cairnsiana. It looks a lot like cairnsiana but differs by a faster growth and a different shade of blue. For me it’s one of the most beautiful and mysterious Cycas as it’s only found in a small area and hasn’t been documented much.

Care : To be grown like revoluta but better results are achieved if conditions are warm and humid. Substrate should be rich but well draining. Plants were grown in a greenhouse, please acclimate to full sun slowly!

Cold hardiness : Plants can handle a few hours at -1/-2°C if temperature rise again quickly.