Propagation
Sow fresh seeds during early spring and pre-soak in heated water 13ş to 18şC (55ş-64şF) for 24 hours. The seeds may require scarification.

Botanic information
Leaf: The large moderately keeled arching pinnate fronds are up to 3 m (9 ft) long. They are composed of 120 to 220 narrow-lanceolate dark green to bluish green leaflets that are up to 300 mm (1 ft) long by 10 mm (? in) wide and are arranged on a single plain along the rachis. The fronds are arranged in a whorl and have a spiny petiole up to 100 mm (4 in) long and there are up to 150 in the crown.

Flower: The cycad is dioecious and the greenish cylindrical male (pollen) cone is up to 450 mm (18 in) long by 190 mm (7 in) in diameter and the ovoid female (seed) cone is up to 800mm (31˝ in) long by 190 mm (7 in) in diameter and appearing towards the centre of the whorled leaves during summer.

Fruit: The fleshy red seeds are up to 60 mm (2? in) long by 40 mm (1? in) wide and are arranged in an ovoid cone that is up to 800mm (31˝ in) long with the megasporophyll having spiny tips. The seedsare poisonous, containing a starchy endosperm that has poisonous glycosides and are fatal if consumed by humans or stock.

Note:
In cold climates this cycad is grown in a conservatory or glasshouse and is planted in deep pots with equal parts of loam and coarse sand with some granulated bark and the addition of slow-release fertiliser. It should be placed in a bright filtered light, humid position and watered regularly during summer.