Planting your cycad

• When your cycad arrives at your door, CYCKOS will have ensured that it has already been dipped in a fungicide and insecticide solution
• If you choose to plant your cycad in a container, please ensure that the container is at least five times larger than the diameter of your cycad. Similarly, if you are planting your cycad in a garden, make sure that the hole is five times the diameter of your cycad
• Check that the container has enough drainage holes. CYCKOS recommends at least four
• For effective drainage fill the bottom of the container or newly-dug hole with stones (about 20mm in size) to a depth of about five or seven centimeters

Soil and your cycad

Getting the soil mix right for your cycad is important. Use a soil mix that provides good drainage and aeration. Soil should be organically rich, which is important for your roots to thrive and stimulates the growth of micro-organisms.

CYCKOS soil mixture is strongly recommended. It contains:

• 20% river sand: for drainage and aeration
• 20% good topsoil: this contains mineral elements
• 20% fine pine bark: this contains minimal water for roots
• 18% small crushed gravel: also good for drainage
• 20% compost: full of nutrients
• 1% bone meal: contains phosphate which is excellent for root development
• 1% agricultural lime: to correct pH of soil. An ideal pH balance is 7

Getting your cycad to flourish

• After planting your cycad, it is suggested that you apply a systemic antifungasite (e.g. Benomil) to free soil from any unwanted fungi
• About a month later, you should feed your plant with organic plant fertiliser to stimulate growth (e.g. Seagrow). For best results, feed your cycad on a monthly basis from early in spring until the beginning of autumn
• In the summer (when temperatures reach approximately 25°C) you should water your plant once a week. In winter (in temperatures of about 0°C), watering once a month is recommended. During rainy seasons, you should avoid watering your plant
• In case of brown leaves do not hesitate to cut them off, as this will encourage the growth of your plant