Phals don't really mind being repotted while they're still in bloom. I've done it before numerous times. Just go easy on their roots and they won't care. In fact, I have a few that I rescued from the clearance shelf that I plan on repotting. My local Wal-Mart had just placed every Phal they had out in the full sunlight and marked them all down. I bought several of them and still felt bad because every single one they had was still in excellent condition and very healthy. But I knew they wouldn't last very long being blasted with full sunlight. Fortunately, I just happened to show up right after they moved them outside.

@hc mcdole thank you so much for all of the information and the wonderful pictures! Yes, he got them from Kroger! I was shocked as they are nothing like the typical plants I always see there so I went the next day to see what else may be there that he decided to pass over and there was a huge red and green maranta that stopped me in my tracks! It was splayed out in the center of the table and taking most of the space- so other plants were around....and on it. I would have taken it home then but would have needed more space so planed to return after my son's karate class.....well we know how this story goes! It was of course GONE and I was heartbroken yada yada lol but back to the ones my husband did get- the begonia was BEAUTIFUL day one and two as you can see from the pic.....but by the 3rd 4th day before I finally had time to repot it this weeked) it started declining rapidly. I think it was in too went soil for too long. The very tips started to fold down then the leaves started to get darker and soggy looking then crispy one by one. There are a few large leaves that still are darkened like this about halfway, but the smaller leaves were just crispy and barely hanging on. The roots were....okay as far as I could tell during the repot, Im just not sure if it will bounce back from this or not. Im hoping so its a beautiful plant. Would you suggest I do anything in particular?

You're welcome, Elestrial: we all do our best. Looking and re-looking at your photos, I'm thinking that your rose is unusual in style: that combination of "shagginess"--or fluffiness--and the button eye. I've grown dozens of once-flowering old roses, and can't recall any whose flowers were formed like that. If anyone has, I'd love it if they reported in.

No, not a Dioon. Punk. There are several challenges to IDing Encephalartos, not the least of which is that American growers hybridize them. Also, local and regional variations exist. In short, if you did not get it from a highly respected source, you may never be able to positively establish the identity. Just enjoy your handsome plant.