Cycas circinalis

Description

Like other cycads, the queen sago resembles a palm tree with its featherlike leaves arranged in a rosette that crowns a single trunk. It is a larger and more graceful version of its more commonly encountered cousin, the Japanese or king sago (Cycas revoluta). The queen sago's solitary trunk can grow to 20 ft (6.1 m) in height, more than twice that of the Japanese sago. In older specimens some branching may occur, producing very handsome plants with multiple crowns.

The dark green pinnate leaves grow to 8 ft (2.4 m) in length with narrow 12 in (30.5 cm) leaflets that curve gracefully downward. New leaves are light green and contrast dramatically with the older foliage. This species is dieocious, with male and female reproductive parts on separate plants. In late winter the male and female "cones" emerge from the centers of the plants. Pollen from the male cones fertilizes the female cones. A colorful show results later in the season when female plants produce large orange seeds in a conelike structure located in the center of the rosette of leaves.

Location

Queen sago (Cycas circinalis) is native to equatorial Africa. It is now a popular landscape item in frost free areas everywhere.

CultureQueen sago is tolerant of most soils, but prefers loose sandy soils with some organic matter and light bark or leaf mulch.

Light: Bright conditions are best. Queen sago can take full sun and moderate shade as well.

Moisture: Queen sago needs adequate moisture but will tolerate occasional short-lived droughts. Make sure the soil is well drained or roots will rot.

Propagation: The sagos are propagated by seed. Press seeds to half their depth in moist sand. Kept moist and in a warm environment, the seeds will usually germinate in 8 to 12 weeks.

UsageThis beautiful cycad looks great almost anywhere! Queen sago is great for entryways or by the patio. It is especially effective when used as a focal point on a large expanse of lawn. Pop one in a mixed shrub border to add contrasting texture.

Features

This is a great plant that is relatively easy to grow and that lends a real sense of the tropics to any environment. Queen sago is readily available for a reasonable price from garden centers and nurseries in frostfree areas of the country.

A flour is obtained from the seeds. This must be thoroughly washed and processed to remove toxins. There is evidence that long term use of such flour, even if properly prepared, may still result in paralysis and other neurological disorders over time.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Zamioculcas zamiifolia Plant has become increasingly popular in recent years and I believe it deserves all the attention it’s been getting.

The Aroid family has given us more dependable house plants than any other group and Zamioculcas zamiifolia is no exception. This is a worthwhile house plant to add to your collection.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia makes a great room accent and practically thrives on neglect. This easy-going house plant is forgiving if you forget to water, tolerates low light, and rarely needs fertilized. Want more? It also seems to shrug off pests.

Growing from rhizomes, it has thick, upright stems bearing narrow, dark-green glossy leaves. Keep the leaves clean by gently wiping them with a damp cloth. Don’t use leaf shine products, which can damage the plant.

Small, insignificant flowers — consisting of a spadix surrounded by a spathe — may appear at the base of plants in summer, although Zamioculcas zamiifolia s rarely flower indoors.

A slow-grower indoors, Zamioculcas zamiifolia plant rarely needs repotted. Keep it in a small pot (no more than 2 in (5 cm) wider than the old pot) with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Overwatering Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a sure-fire way to kill it. To avoid soggy soil, use a fast-draining mix. You can add sand or perlite to a potting mix or use a cactus mix.

Watering Tip: Despite being drought-tolerant, your Zamioculcas zamiifolia  will be healthiest with regular watering. Water thoroughly then allow it to dry out a bit before watering again.

CAUTION: All parts of this plant are poisonous. Keep it away from children and pets who may play with or ingest this plant.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia Care Tips

Origin: East Africa

Height: Slow-growing, but can reach up to 3 ft (90 cm) indoors. It grows much taller in its native habitat.

Light: Bright to low light. Keep it out of direct sunlight which can scorch its leaves.

Water: Water thoroughly and allow the top 2 in (5 cm) of soil to dry out between waterings. Soggy soil will cause the rhizomes to rot.

Humidity: Average indoor humidity.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 60-75°F/16-24°C

Soil: Fast-draining medium works best to avoid root rot. Mix 1 part good-quality all-purpose potting mix and 1 part sharp sand or perlite. Cactus mix works well, too.

Fertilizer: Feed 4 times a year with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Division of rhizomes. Leaf cuttings can be propagated. Just pull a leaf off the stem and stick the cut end in moist potting medium. Don’t bury the leaf too deep or it will rot. Be patient — the cuttings can take several months to grow.

Foxtail Palm

The Foxtail palm (scientific name Wodyetia bifurcata) is one of the most popular and widely distributed exotic flowering plants in tropical and subtropical regions today. The Wodyetia bifurcata was little known 30 years ago. It was found only in a very small part of far northeastern Australia, Queensland and considered as a very rare palm.

In 1978 Wodyeti identified and revealed the Foxtail palm to the world. The Foxtail has become one of the most popular landscape palms in the United States and Asia. Also common in Middle east and commonly found with Bismarck palms in landscaping.

The Wodyetia bifurcata is named the Foxtail palm because the palm’s plumose fronds have the appearance of a fox’s tail. The scientific name is a tribute to Wodyei, who first revealed this pretty plant to botanics and the world.

The beautiful ornamental grows moderately to a height of 25-30 feet. Under proper conditions it can grow 2-3 feet per year. The Wodyetia bifurcata is a solitary palm  with a crown of eight to ten arching, plumose and fluffy fronds.  It has a neat appearance and is very similar to the Royal palm, but not large. It bears white flowers at the base of the crown. The fruits are large, oval-shaped, green in the early stages and orange-red when ripe.

The Foxtail is adaptable to many environments. The beautiful tropical plant is moderately salt resistant and drought tolerant. It grows best in full sun and requires moderate watering. The Wodyetia bifurcata is hardy to 27 F. It can get some damage, but will recover. There are no major pest problems.

The Foxtail palm can be used as a single specimen in a landscaping design or planted together with other Foxtail palms. It also can make a nice container plant for patios and decks.

Areca Palm

The Areca Palm, whose scientificname is Dypsis lutescens (synonym: Chrysalidocarpus Lutescens) to be known as one of the most  beautiful palm tree from Madagascar. This plant is also known as Butterfly Palm, Yellow Palm, Golden Cane Palm, Madagascar palm and Areca Lutescens. It is a common ornamental in subtropical and tropical regions around the world. Probably it is the most cultivated nursery palm tree. However, it is  endangered and very rare in its natural habitat Madagascar.

The Areca palm is one of the low maintenance plant and a fast grower. Anyone can grow this exotic palm as a house plant. It  brings a tropical touch into home and purify the air. The Areca is consistently rated among the best houseplants for removing all indoor air toxins.

The graceful Areca Palm tends to grow in clumps. The adult plant looks like a large bush that can reach 20 feet or more in height with a spread of 5-10 feet.  As a houseplant it is usually grown much smaller.

The  Areca Palm germinates easily and rapidly from fresh seeds and by divisions of clumps.

The adult palm has several smooth, bamboo-like trunks that gently lean away from each other. Young plant has reedy stems. The multi-trunked specimen plant has attractive long gracefully arching feather-shaped fronds. The shrub-like plant bears small yellowish white flowers in spring and summer and forms small orange-yellow fruits.