{"product_id":"nasiona-encephalartosa-gratus-encephalartos-gratus","title":"Encephalartos Gratus Seeds - Encephalartos Gratus","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003eEncephalartos gratus\u003c\/strong\u003e – Flat-leaved Cycad\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003eEncephalartos gratus\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the most attractive representatives of cycads, admired by exotic plant enthusiasts for its relative hardiness and impressive tropical appearance. This species is characterized by a relatively fast growth rate for a member of this ancient plant group, making it especially valuable in botanical collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003eMorphological Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eThe plant develops a \u003cstrong\u003esingle, spherical or cylindrical trunk\u003c\/strong\u003e up to 60 cm wide and 1.2 m tall, though under optimal conditions it can grow up to 3 m. From the top of the trunk emerge spectacular, \u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003eshiny leaves up to 2 meters long\u003c\/strong\u003e, composed of 30–70 pairs of lance-shaped leaflets. A distinctive feature of the species is the soft, flexible spines at the tips of the leaflets, giving the plant an exotic look without the risk of injury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eThe leaves form a broad, regular crown with a distinctly tropical appearance, serving as a natural decoration both in garden arrangements and interior settings. This impressive form makes a single plant a striking focal point in any composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003eReproduction and Generative Structures\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003eEncephalartos gratus\u003c\/strong\u003e is a dioecious species, meaning male and female plants occur separately. Male cones are spindle-shaped, up to 40 cm long, and covered with characteristic rusty hairs. Female cones are much larger—cylindrical to conical, reaching up to 70 cm in length and 20 cm in diameter, with clearly formed scales. Mature seeds are intensely red, ellipsoid in shape, and up to 4 cm long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003eCultivation Requirements\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eIn temperate climates, the flat-leaved cycad grows best in \u003cstrong\u003ewell-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH\u003c\/strong\u003e (5.0–6.5). It prefers sandy or gritty soil with excellent drainage to prevent water accumulation around the roots. The plant requires sunny locations, although in particularly hot climates of southern Europe, light shading in the afternoon is advisable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eIn cooler parts of Europe, \u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003eEncephalartos gratus\u003c\/strong\u003e performs best as a container plant that can be displayed outdoors during the growing season and stored in a bright, cool room during winter. Despite good drought tolerance, it requires regular watering to maintain a full, healthy leaf crown, especially during high temperatures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003eUse in Design\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eDue to its \u003cstrong\u003espreading habit and exotic silhouette\u003c\/strong\u003e, the flat-leaved cycad is best showcased as a solitary plant in large containers or in a strategically chosen, well-exposed garden spot. Its tropical character makes it an ideal element in Mediterranean or exotic-style compositions, where it can serve as a striking architectural accent. In tropical and subtropical plant collections, it is especially valued by connoisseurs for combining decorative appeal with relative ease of cultivation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"mr.seed","offers":[{"title":"1","offer_id":52461560201544,"sku":"1222","price":68.9,"currency_code":"PLN","in_stock":true},{"title":"5","offer_id":52461560234312,"sku":"1223","price":318.0,"currency_code":"PLN","in_stock":true},{"title":"10","offer_id":52461560267080,"sku":"1224","price":544.0,"currency_code":"PLN","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0939\/2649\/0440\/files\/2146.jpg?v=1770321443","url":"https:\/\/www.mrseed.eu\/en\/products\/nasiona-encephalartosa-gratus-encephalartos-gratus","provider":"mr.seed","version":"1.0","type":"link"}