This is a Cycas circinalis coning. This species occurs in India, Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia. This specimen is in the Montreal Botanical Garden.
This is a male cone, about 80 cm. Many of the cycads in the garden were coning at this time (just a few weeks ago).
From your photo (beautiful by the way!) it looks like your cycads are planted outside near the house? Do you provide additional winter protection or are they tough enough on their own? I'd love to add one to my garden.
Palmera, the cycad in this photo is in the Montreal Botanical Garden, planted indoors. However, I do grow many different types of cycads, and have had success with two species, so far, overwintering outdoors planted under the eaves of my house: Cycas panizihuanensis and Macrozamia communis. It is the rain more than the cold that they don't like. The C. panzihuaensis comes from China and the M. communis from Australia. If you check out my web site I have many photos of cycads, and also cultivation information. They are beautiful and fascinating plants! --Lori
I think I just bought 4 of these, how old is the one in the picture? I'll post my pics soon of the ones I got in Thailand.
I am not sure how old these are. I will try to contact the Montreal Botanical Garden, where it is growing, and find out. Did you import your plants from Thailand? I would be interested to see the photos, if you get the chance.
