BUCKAWAYO CYCAD NURSERY – A PERSPECTIVE
BUCKAWAYO is primarily a cycad growing nursery. The emphasis has shifted
from growing palms only to growing cycads as well as from the entire world,
specializing in the indigenous Encephalartos species.
We have two growing operations, the one located near Brits in the N.W. Province and the other at Letsitele in the Limpopo Province. As well as a retail cycad and palm nursery at Hoedspruit in the Limpopo Province.
The operation has been split into two different sectors. At Brits, all the propagation from seed is done. To facilitate the process of seed germination we have built a heating chamber where seed is kept at a constant temperature of 30 degrees C allowing the seed to germinate evenly.
The bottom heating process allows the seed to germinate a lot quicker. Once the seed has germinated it is removed form the tray and planted in a community pot.
The young seedling is allowed to grow for about 6 months forming one leaf, when the leaf has hardened off it is removed from the community pot and planted into its own miniature pot, there the young seedling will stabilize, the root will strengthen and it will develop two more leaves.
Once the seedling has developed to this stage it will then be taken to BUCKAWAYO ,
Letsitele and replanted into a 5L pot where it will be tendered, i.e. fertilized,
watered and given optimal growing conditions.
The seedling will remain in this container for about two years before it is either replanted
into a 20L pot or directly into the open ground.
Depending on the species it is possible for the plant to achieve a caudex
of 15 cm within two years of being planted into the ground.
For local sales a selection of plants are then transferred to Hoedspruit for retailing to the public.
As we are all aware there have been four attempts to establish cycad nurseries in rural communities.
These projects have all either failed dismally or are being held together by massive state subsidy.
a) The Mananga project – near Swaziland where E.lebomboensis was
grown for a short while has fialed – Braaks became involved with the community – eventually abandoning the whole project.
b) The Edenvale project – near Pietermaritzburg in Natal where
Cynthia giddy attempted to become involved. This attempt
also failed (see proceedings of cycad conference in S.A.
P.J Vorster).
c) The Somgimvelo project – near badplaas in Mpumalanga. This
project grew E.paucidentatus and E.ferox commercially for a
while. Unfortunately their pricing and marketing was not done
correctly and as a result this project has also failed.
d) The Modjadji Cycad Nursery – This project has been running for
many years now. The nursery was started by the old Tvl. Nature
Conservation Body and while they were in charge it seemed to be
doing okay.
It has come to my attention that this nursery has had massive provincial subsidies and I am sure that if it was not for this subsidy the nursery would not be able to support itself from the revenue earned from the sale of cycads. I was approached by the accounting firm K.P.M.G. who were doing a proposal for the Limpopo province re the continued viability of the existing nursery at Modjadki tp possibly take over the existing operation and turn it into a profitable business.
It is obvious that rural communities do not have the luxury of time. Time is what one needs, not only time but patience and expertise as well.
These rural communities would be far better off harvesting seed and selling it to who ever is accomplished enough to grow the plants.
The various rural communities must be taught that what they have in a cycad population is a renewable resource and that every time a cycad cones they are guaranteed an income. The seeds are and will always be in high demand.
Grass Roots Nursery has been operating 18 years; we have all the facilities to grow cycads.
As a result for my tremendous love and passion for these plants I have become involved in more than just a commercial level. I have become involved in the training of horticultural students from academic institutions both local and international.
I have spoken and presented talks in many other countries where I have showcased our cycads.
Wherever possible I bring the attention of both laymen and academics the serious situation in which cycads find themselves.
The demand for rare cycads is very high and it is here where BUCKAWAYO makes a difference. In 2002 I held 3 sales where many rare cycads were offered to the public. My nursery is very accurate as far as keeping records both in stock and species. It is important to keep cycads very pure and it is in this aspect that we are able to produce cycads that are 1005 genetically pure bred.
Grass Roots has supplied cycads to Botanic gardens internationally and we will continue to strive for genetic purity of the different E.species.
The growing facility at Letsitele has a total stock of 60 000 plants of which 40 00 plants are in comtainers, the other 20 000 plants are in the ground. I would like to export about 3 000 plants this year.
The nursery in Brits will be used as a feeder nursery for Letsitele and will supply about 10 000 plants per year for growing on.
BUCKAWAYO CYCAD RESEARCH PROJECT
In January 2001 I decided that it was time to attempt a very accurate scientific experiment.
Four species of Encephalartos were used, namely, E.sclavoi, E.tegulaneous, E.lemanii and lastly, E.princeps.
Before I analyze the results of the various experiments I will explain how these results were achieved and the procedure involved in obtaining the relevant data.
At the time of planting I used 3:1:5 fertilizer as well as bird guano from the platforms off the west coast.
I also applied at 60 day intervals an organic fertilizer which consists of:
1. Bird guano – high in nitrogen, medium phosphate, low in potash but very rich in
many trace elements.
2. Bone meal -
3. Earthworm castes – low in most nutrients but a very good carrier for other fertilizers.
4. Wood ash – low in potassium but completely organic.
The fertilizer is mixed at the desired ratios and the plants are then top dressed at 30 grams per plant. Immediately after fertilizing the plants are thoroughly drenched.
Before recording data the plants are uncovered to reveal a clear caudex, the caudex is covered by a thick layer of pine bark mulch which is very easy to remove from the plant.
To accurately record the diameter of the caudex we use a Vernier slide caliper. All plants are measured twice to obtain a very accurate reading, leaves are counted at this stage, and no leaves were removed from the plant for the duration of this trial.
In the case of E.slavoi 54 plants were used for this trial. All the caudexes measured as well as the leaves counted, the combined caudex and leaf measurements were then added together to give a total reading for both caudex and leaves. The combined measurements taken at planting on the 22/06/01 of the diameter of the caudex of 54 E.slavoi totaled 1969mm giving an average caudex size of 36.46mm / plant.
The combined total of leaves counted was 166 on 54 plants giving an average 3.07 leaves per plant.
This same procedure was recorded on 04/06/02 where a combined diameter of 3306mm was recorded for the 54 plants giving an average caudex size of 61.22mm / plant. The combined total of leaves counted was 357 on 54 plants giving an average of 6.61 leaves per plant.
The same procedure will apply for the other species.
1. All cycads are grown either in greenhouses or under shadecloth. (40% -
2. Cycads are only sold if we feel that they are capable of being bare rooted for thirty days before being replanted.
3. All cycads are bare rooted, sprayed and dipped in a fungicide (Bravo 500) and insecticide (Chloropyrifos) in the presence of an inspector from the Department of Agriculture who then issues a phytosanitary certificate.
4. Our nursery has been inspected by the Department of Nature Conservation conform to the standards prescribed by cites.
5. Cycads are only shipped if we are in possession of cites permit and phytosanitary certificate. We are only able to obtain these documents once we have a current import permit for the plant and plant products.
6. Should you prefer to use our agent in California you may do so. The agent is in possession of all necessary import permits and is able to do release plants from USDA. Payment for plants can be done through our agent as well. You will be responsible for reimbursing the agent for any import taxes he paid for plants. The agent will only charge a fee of 10% to clear and collect plants.
THE ORDERING PROCEDURE
1. Place the order according to the price list: give all relevant details: name, postal address, delivery address, and nursery address.
2. I apply to the department of Nature Conservation for cites permit, which takes from 7 – 30 days.
3. When cites permit is received I apply to the department of Agriculture for a phytosanitary certificate which takes 3 – 5 days. The inspector arrives and in his presence I have to bare root cycads then dip and spray them. When all the plants have been treated the inspector issues the certificate.
4. Cycads are packed in wooden crates or waxed cardboard boxes. We use damp peat moss around the root ball and dry peat moss as a buffer between the plants. All boxes are lined with a soft foam rubber lining. Bubble plastic is also used where needed.
5. The invoice will then be issued and faxed or e-
Account name: Grass Roots
Bank name: Standard Bank, Brits, South Africa
Bank code: 05-
Bank account: 0330290061
6. The container is then taken to our shipping agent in Johannesburg where it is immediately weighed and measured. The air waybill is processed with all relevant costs determined. The current cost to the U.S.A. is app. $ 4.00 per kg. The container is then loaded onto British Airways, Virgin or S.A.A. The flights travel via London to Los Angeles and via Atlantis to Miami.
