Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

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Stan
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Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#1

Post by Stan »

I broke down and ordered one. I have a feeling it will come bare root. So,sandy mix? potting soil with lots of perlite? And need for some good garden loam ( gopher dredged up stuff I saved in a bucket)? I always loved this one. I think its a good compromise of blue cycad without breaking the bank.
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Azuleja
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#2

Post by Azuleja »

I don't know what soil is best, but I looked up the plant and it's very beautiful. Great choice!
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#3

Post by Stan »

Thanks Azu. It is to be exact 'kirkwood'..that means it has a nice curve to the fronds. Cross fingers its as expected and not some variation :roll:
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#4

Post by Geoff »

in a pot or in the ground? If in a pot, cactus/palm mix works fine. Not that picky, though don't like sloggy soils (what does?). Most growers use a lot of pumice.
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#5

Post by Stan »

Pot Geoff. I have to admit after visiting UC Berkeley,I knew I had to try again. My first effort was stolen years ago. Bad tenants no longer here.
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#6

Post by Stan »

It came. As expected,bare root,two leafed blue seedling. Is it better to use as small a pot..or maybe better to slightly overpot?
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#7

Post by Stan »

Photo's of it. I started to use a 4" deep pot..but when I saw that long tap root,went to a gallon.
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Potted up.
Potted up.
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Long tap root..fat lignotuber.
Long tap root..fat lignotuber.
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#8

Post by Viegener »

Looks like more mass in the tap root than in the leaves...
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#9

Post by Azuleja »

I like those extra deep tree pots that you see small cycads planted in. They're deep but narrow. I don't know how many different sizes there are. It's a beautiful color already and looks robust and healthy.
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#10

Post by Stan »

Thanks! It was a reasonable price I thought. Soon into a warm bright spot for it to root...then into full sun. Its not my 40 year old D.edule or my 20+ year old C.circinalis or my 15 years old Zamia, E.ferox or C.spinullosum...but its a start. When you see UC Berkeley and love exotic plants..how can you not lust for a blue Encephalarto sp.?
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#11

Post by Azuleja »

They're definitely lustworthy. I wish they weren't so poisonous and didn't make those big bright seeds.
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#12

Post by Stan »

Potted up in sun..unusual gun metal gray? or some blue- grey? Blue slate?. Different.
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#13

Post by Stan »

Got the plant bare root on May 18th,Its now sending up its first leaf for me,June 24th. That's a rocket for me and a cycad. This btw, is "Kirkwood" I recommend.
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#14

Post by Dave Botha »

lovely plant, in a couple of years it is going to look great. :U
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#15

Post by Stan »

Thanks Dave!
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#16

Post by Dave Botha »

one of my E Lehmani
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#17

Post by Dave Botha »

Stan what did you pay for your E Lehmanii. I wish I could send you all a hand fool of seed. :(
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#18

Post by Stan »

It was $30 for the plant,and $10 for shipping of 2 or 3 ounces. But,I had seen that plant not much bigger or older..for $150 at a local nursery and was never going to find any but at a very select specialist nursery's.
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#19

Post by Dave Botha »

That is a LOT to pay for a seedling. :shock: Price for Lehamanii is R60.00 per cm.
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#20

Post by Stan »

Dave,E.horridas were MORE. One like yours would have to be $500 USA at any local nursery. I paid $90 ten years ago for one Thought it was a good deal-it seemed bluer then the rest too.. 2 years later,gone one morning. Karma I feel will get that person every time I'm reminded.
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#21

Post by Dave Botha »

That is very sad, :cry: if only you could of got hold of the person. I bought 6 horidus for R 4800.00 one of the plants has 2 lovely pups on it that
makes it 8 plants.
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Re: Best potting mix for Encephalartos lehmannii?

#22

Post by Tony C »

Dave just ask your friends over on the other forum they export Encepharlartos seed by the box full.
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