Lepidozamia hopei

Lepidozamia hopei
Hope's Cycad

Perhaps the worlds largest cycad, this species from northeastern Queensland, Australia forms a trunk that can reach 50 cm (20 in.) in diameter and over 17 m (55 ft.) tall. Its spreading crown can hold up to 100 pinnate leaves with broad, beautifully glossy leaflets. Naturally occuring in rainforests from low altitude to 1000 m (3300 ft.), it adapts well to tropical and many warm temperate climates and can take a rare light frost. Young plants are attractive from their first leaf on and adapt easily to cultivation in containers.

germination comments by our visitors
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Also see plant cultivation comments below.

Seeds from this species ...

... are average to germinate and need up to 6 months to sprout.
Sown half buried in a 50/50 mix of moist vermiculite & perlite at a temperature of 22c at night & 30-32c for 16 hours,the first seeds started to germinate after 3 months & continued sporadically for another 4 months,eventually 8 out 10 germinated.
Submitted on 22/10/2006 by Mike Kenchington michael.kenchington@btinternet.com


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plant cultivation comments by our visitors
Also see germination commnets above.

Plants from this species ...

... are of excellent ornamental value
In Cairns in Australia they need little care and grow slow.
hopei can steadily within the nursery, requiring to be planted from a 200mm pot within 3 years. I have planted half a dozen within shady sites throughout the garden.Specimens within the wild can be observed within both ridge top rainforest habitats to lowland rainforest and Licuala ramsayi swamplands (surprisingly indeed). 15 year old specimens within the garden span a 4m diametre however are only beginning to form a trunk. They tolerate cool weather and in the wild can occasionally be found growing within wet eucalypt forest rather than rainforest- suggesting they may be rather hardy.Within the wild large specimens possess toe holes for climbing, created by the original inhabitants prior to European invasion just some 150 years ago. Rats desire the seeds. They germinate easily requiring a deep pot to accomodate the taproot.Overall a superb species.Cheers from Kris
Submitted on 01/12/2006 by Kris Kupsch tropicalbotanics@hotmail.com


	• • • Write a plant cultivation comment and enter to win Euro (€) 50 worth of seeds • • • Please note: These comments are on how to cultivate the PLANTS once the seeds have germinated.

If you wish to read more on palm cultivation, we highly recommend Ornamental Palm Horticulture by Timothy K. Broschat and Alan W. Meerow, available in our bookshop.

Ratings and comments reflect individual experiences and the views of our visitors. They do not necessarily describe the most appropriate methods, nor are they necessarily valid for all seeds or plants of this species. Germination and plant cultivation success depends on many different factors; nevertheless, these experiences will hopefully aid you in your effort to get the best germination results from our seeds and the best growth results from your plants.

We recommend:

Conifers for Gardens: An Illustrated Encyclopedia
by Richard L. Bitner

Hardcover - 448 pages
More than 1500 photographs

Our Rating:

Suitable for: all

Conifers for Gardens is intended to take away the element of uncertainty when you're choosing a plant that may alter your yard for years to come. Profusely illustrated with more than 1,500 crisp photographs and brimming with concise descriptions of both species and their numerous cultivars, this meticulously researched reference provides information - including size, appearance, hardiness, preferred growing conditions and susceptibility to pests and diseases - for almost every hardy conifer you're likely to encounter in the trade, whether it's a tried-and-true favorite or a connoisseur's treasure.

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