When to put seedlings in the ground.

[Allen Repashy]

I have a modest collection of Encephalartos seedlings that are growing out of their 3x3x9 treepots..... I live in the "Avocado Belt" and my soil is a great mix of decomposed granite.... Would it be advised to put this size plant directly in the ground, or is it better to grow them out in a five gallon before taking the step?

Allen

[palmbob]

Originally Posted by Allen Repashy

I have a modest collection of Encephalartos seedlings that are growing out of their 3x3x9 treepots..... I live in the "Avocado Belt" and my soil is a great mix of decomposed granite.... Would it be advised to put this size plant directly in the ground, or is it better to grow them out in a five gallon before taking the step?

I am an impatient cycad grower and pretty much plant anything that has a leaf. In many cases this worked out fine, but in many it has not. In general I think it is a good idea to keep most cycads in pots until they reach a 5 gal size... it is just a lot easier to keep them warm and properly moist in a pot, and most seem to grow faster until about that size. Then they seem to do better in the ground for the most part. But when in comes to Dioons, I don't think it makes any difference what size you plant them in the ground.. a 1 leaf seedling does perfectly well, if not even better planted. Fast growing Enecephalartos do well in the ground as dinky seedlings, too, but blue stuff and sluggish stuff does better in pots. So for Encephalartos I guess it depends on what species you are talking about. Macrozamias of the large variety do better in the ground, but the Parazamias definitely do far better in pots until large (which is usuallya few lifetimes away). I think Ceratozamias tend to do well in the ground early on, but I have limited experience with them. Bowenias, at least here in So Cal, do WAY better in pots, but eventually tolerate planting in zones 10a and above.