How Can I Make A Cycus Revoluta Bonsai?

ashishm9

Hi All,

I have been growing a Cycus since the past 2 years and would like to make it a nice bonsai. It has recently sprung huge leaves!!!

How can I systematically reduce its leaves so its image as a bonsai is created?

In these few years, i noticed it does best when its kept in a shaded position as opposed to full sunlight. Is this correct?

I live in Bombay, India which is very close to the Arabian Sea on the West Coast. The climate is humid and tropical for most of the year. We get good monsoons and mild winters. This would be add on info to help me get the appropriate guidance.

I thank you in advance for your help.

Yours Sincerely
Ashish Maheshwari

Advertisement

Bonsaifreak

Welcome Ashish!

I am not familiar with the species. Can you post some pictures. Leaf reduction may be an option but it would depend on the original size of the leave whether the end result is convincing enough.

Jorge

__________________
"Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more."
Mark Twain

kingkong

Cycas revoluta grows into a pretty large plant. I would pick a small pot to start and keep it root bound so it doesn't grow into a monster. Leaf size can be stymed with cramped growing quarters to a degree.
Say hello to everyone in Bombay!

Attached Images

HuntSAGO.jpg (27.2 KB, 61 views)

Attila

There are no specific leaf reduction techniques, other than to cut off the old leaves during the growing season. This will induce a new set of leaves, having less time to grow, and thus they grow a little shorter. But this may not affect your plant, since you live in tropical India, where the cycas can grow year-round.

So. as Kingkong said, the only factor that reduces your leaves is the fact that the plant grows in a container. Therefore, the leaves will always be shorter than it's counterpart, growing in the ground.

Cycas is a very slow-growing plant. Growing a young plant in a bonsai pot will take you a lifetime to achieve something close to a bonsai (at least 15-20 years).
If you want to have a quality Cycas bonsai, you have to start with an older plant that has already grown in the ground for a long time. You take this plant, defoliate it, and transplant it into a bonsai pot. That's the only way you can create a cycas bonsai.

Attila

tom_termine

I agree with the other posts - let it get a bit pot bound, so use a smaller pot, and if you don't like the size of the leaves then cut them off!

But, I find I get a nicer, more compact leaf if I grow mine in full sun. That said, it is a bit of a crap shoot sometimes!

In fact, I had a set of leaves start to sprout before I put mine outside in the spring. They grew to a much larger size than I wanted. My planting is a sago grove, so I decided to cut all the leaves of each plant in the grove. Put it out in full sun. Every single plant sprouted beautiful, more compact new leaves - even the one that had sprouted already (albeit a little bit later than the others).

Tom

__________________
Tom

aw2509

Can I ask about root trimming a sago when repotting?


The roots are so big and thick... Do I just cut them to the length that will fit in the pot, or do I remove the entire root if its not going to fit?

Cathie

Get a bigger pot - they hate to have their roots messed with.

aw2509

Will do! I kinda thought that would probably be the best thing to do. The Sago has got some sentimental value and I hate the thought of doing something its not going to like.

Thanks for the help!

treekutter

Another thing you can do is bury the trunk deeper with sand in a nursery pot.The trunk will elongate more to give it more of an Bonsai appearance.This process takes time.