When Cycas arrival ,some stems will grow new leaves during transportation but do not cut those young leaves till grow new roots well .
Soil, use coarser potting soil. long fiber peat moss mixed with coconut powder or coconut fiber or sand can improve the drainage. the rate of mixture is 2/3 peat moss with 1/3 sand or 1/3 peat moss with 1/3 coconut fiber and 1/3 coconut powder.
Growth, Don't plant cycas bulb too deep. the position of bulb won't shake is ok. For 16 cm,the part under soil is around 6-8 cm from bulb's bottom. If plant too deep ,the new leaves and roots will be coming up late than normality. watering plants immediately after planting. Then water them when surface of soil dried. don't water too much .Cycas doesn't need much water. Too wet will case rot. Temperature 25-28 oC is good to grow new plants. The plants will get new leaves in 30-40 days and it is the time star grow new roots. Mature plants need 70-90 days after potting. Normally Cycas grow new leaves in Spring and Autumm season.
Fertilizer. Don't fertilize too early .The good time to fertilize is around 60 days when plants have good roots already,Use fertilizer N : P : K = 1:1:1
The rate of solution is 1 kg fertilizer 10,000 kg water, fertilizing once one month. Crystalline fertillizer is unnecessary when liquid fertilizer is enough. don't give too much fertilizer, cycas doesn't need it .