Encephalartos altensteinii Lehm.

The seed takes 6 - 9 mths to ripen. Pick the fruit when it is when it is starting to open up. Peel off the outer flesh or if too hard, soak the seeds in warm water for 48 - 72 hours to loosen the outer flesh. Change the water daily. Discard any seeds that float to the top, keep the ones that sink. Floating seeds won't germinate as they lack an endosperm. Allow to dry. Store in a cool, dark place. It is best to sow the seed as soon as possible for best results.

Viability:-        6 - 12 months

Seeds/gram:-

1 part Cocopeat + 1 part Perlite  + 1 part coarse washed sand

If the seed has been stored for awhile, soak in a bowl or bucket of water overnight to soften the outer coat. Fill Forestry or P2 Tubes or 100mm pots or 150mm deep seedling trays, then press the seeds 2/3 of the way into the mix, till just the flat side is above the mix surface, water in well with Previcur fungicide mix. Place in hothouse. Maintain hothouse environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C. Spray fortnightly with fungicide. Keep in bright but indirect light.

In warmer climates, place outside in a shade house and keep moist but not too wet.

Viable seeds/gram:-          (90% germination rate on fresh picked seed)

Germination time:-     4 - 24 months       

Pricking out:-              2 - 3 months after germination

Pot Mix:-                     1 part Premium Potting Soil  +  1 part coarse washed sand 

When potted place in shaded warm position and ready to plant out when whorl of leaves appear

Select offsets that have a whorl of fronds in health condition and 1/4 - 1/3 the size of the mother plant. With a sharp knife, slice down the side of the stem of the mother plant to remove the offset with roots attached where possible. Place to one side and allow the wound to callous for 4 - 6 hours.

1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part coarse washed sand

1/2 fill the 140 - 200mm pot with mix. Hold the offset over the soil mix in the pot and back fill around the offset and firm down. The offset should stand firm and the whorl of leaves be approximately 20-30mm above the mix, not too deep or it will rot. Water the pots of mix thoroughly with Previcur fungicide.  Place in cold house, keep moist. Maintain cold house environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C.

Strike Rate:-     Field Stock        75-95 %

                        Nursery Stock   75-95 %

Rooting time:- Field Stock        3 - 6 mths

                        Nursery Stock  3 - 6 mths