Answer: The plant's energy is invested in the cones. Using sterilized pruning shears or hand pruners, cut them as close to the trunk as possible. My gardener keeps them trimmed & the pups pruned. While a sago palm will tolerate lower light conditions, it does best with bright light indoors. The lean is taking it right through the path. If you are going to tackle the job let us know what the root system is like, how tall your sago is, and if you can lift it out. They are often grown as ornamental plants in other parts of the world. I thought it was going to die after that, but it survived. Many gardeners never need to water sago palms growing in the backyard. Last fall it needed a bigger pot - it's now 2 ft tall and very attractive and decorative as a house plant. It is now November and I noticed that the cone in the middle is now with a round head in the middle of the palm like a cabbage head with nuts in the middle. Keep yellowing leaves intact. It is one of the MOST poisonous plants to mammals. With leaning trees, it is best to dig out the soil around the root ball, straighten the tree and repack the soil. Answer: The female sago does have a horizontal growth pattern that the male does not exhibit. Will sea water affect or damage the palm? Lol. Sago palms are very easy to care for, and can be grown in a pot or in the ground. Since they need little water or care they are great in dish gardens along with succulents or cactus. Next spring you will see a new flush of leaves and your new plant should look established and accustomed to the new location and pot. It will get bigger and bigger. Now all of the sago frawns are 100% brown. Avoid overhead watering the sago palm trees to prevent building a moist environment for the fungus spores. My 6' high female Sega Palm is dropping the fronds around the top. It is only in the last few years that I have had time to maintain and trim the plant to my liking. Had several big dogs in fenced in yards, I don't think they're very interested in them so no problems with poisoning. Excellent resource my dear. Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on September 30, 2019: Removing the pups, as you thought, is not the problem. I have cut off pups as big as four inches. Can i cut some of them completely off at this point without harming the collective? Neem Oil. These plants are slow growing and if purchased small can be in an indoor pot for years. I am afraid I will lose it and it is quite large. In this article, we will troubleshoot some of the most common sago palm problems and provide solutions for each one. In the winter months when heaters dry out the air, let the plants sit in a tray full of gravel. You can leave the seeds in place as a "petticoat". Sago palm fronds should be a deep, rich green, without any brown at the center or around the edges. One ounce is sufficient for a very small plant in sandy, acidic soil. Some tips on how to acquire a pup plant for free. Since then I never let the sago go without attention for more than 9 months. Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on March 27, 2018: Hi Jeanette, I leave them on the tree and let the next years new flush of leaves push them down. I am thrilled! I don't know how to upload picture otherwise i would. The fertilizer of choice for Sago palms is slow-release palm fertilizer. I would go for good spacing between each tallest tree. Answer: I am imagining that the patio is now higher than the plant's root system. I Have Sago Palm On Balcony It's 55 Degrees Out , Is it too cold to keep on balcony it's 50 Answered by BushDoctor on November 2, 2020 Certified Expert A. No water unless it is 45 degrees or more for a few days. Use 1/2 cup of fertilizer per gallon of water to get started. Once done, place each pup on the respective pot, and push it gently into the soil, so that half of the pup goes inside. We did water our sorry looking lawn a little and the birch in our sink faired okay. Females (queens) grow to be 15 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Keeping it out of sprinklers. A sago was planted right next to the foundation of the house. Palms are pretty to look at, but high maintenance. Especially, if the ground stays below freezing for a couple of days. It takes 5-7 years for pups to mature and reveal their sex. Everything on this plant is needle sharp and dangerous. An average temperature of 65-75 degrees F. works best since these plants are tropical in nature. Sago palm doesnt like to be disturbed frequently. Uncover for sun during the day. Some years will look more spectacular than others. Deborah Carr from Orange County, California on May 25, 2014: I don't have this type of palm, but I am glad you wrote this article so that I am not tempted to buy one! Any suggestions? Additional notes: Sagos are very slow growing evergreen plants that grow well in full sun, but can also be maintained as a house plant in a sunny spot. It is a very slow process. Stomach ache. Get your first 3 issues for just 5 & receive free seeds. Many gardeners prefer to use unglazed terra cotta pots because excess soil moisture can evaporate through the porous pot. Sherry Venegas (author), "We do not have them in our yard but many of our neighbors do. Plenty of drainage and letting the soil dry out between waterings should be your plan for next year. A sandy soil that's somewhat rich in organic matter and slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is ideal. Yikes. Judy Specht from California"I have never grown them. Over uptake of minerals can burn the plant and its leaves. I've got two potted sagos, one for about 15 years, the other for about 8 years and seven boston terriers who have never gone near them. Sago palms are also known to develop a fungal disease called sago palm blight. Plant your sago palm in well-draining potting soil mixed with organic matter. Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on March 17, 2018: My understanding is that the pups are clones of the parent plant, so should be the same sex. Even though they are quite hardy, they still require some extra care when it comes to certain diseases. I have not been able to find anyone on the internet to say what I should do about it. These plants do best in climes with no prolonged freezes. This year I had to keep them in til April. Third, fertilize sago palms with a balanced fertilizer. Another fungus called Ganoderma zonatum is commonly found to degrade the trunks of Sago palms. Sagos do best in ground rather than a pot. Do you think the female could survive if we cut off the dead head and let the pups go? Position the other hand on the rim of the pot and develop tension. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. When it is big enough, the male will start to branch out or grow new crowns. Scale insects are another common problem with sago palms. Read our, 30 Indoor Plants That Like Direct Sunlight, How to Grow and Care for Palm Trees Indoors, How to Grow and Care for European Fan Palm, How to Grow and Care for Chinese Fan Palm (Fountain Palm), 9 Popular Houseplants That Are Toxic to Dogs, Bird of Paradise: Plant Care & Growing Guide, Sago palm, king sago, cycad, Japanese sago, 910 (USDA); grown as houseplants in all zones. Native to the southern regions of the United States, its commonly grown as a houseplant in temperate climates. Can these above-ground pups be pruned off safely without harming the adult plant? If you are lucky, you will see a new flush of leaves when the weather gets sunny and warm. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It has multiple heads like the one in your photos and also 2-3 flowers with a crown (is that normal?). Some here that have full sun all day may not make it without this TLC. Be attentive of the pups that will sprout even from the stump here in the front. If possible move it. If you can't take the plant indoors, then cover the plant with a burlap bag or lightweight blanket during a short cold snap. She put this on Facebook to say she NEVER KNEW THIS WAS A POISONA'S plant and would never have purchased it had she known. The spears I would cut off, so any energy that is left can center in the core where new leaves will energize. This makes the sago palm unable to extract the necessary nutrients from the soil. Question: I have a female sago and now has the bed of seeds with pollen and all. Despite its common name, sago palm (Cycasrevoluta) isn't technically a true palm tree. And folks please don't spread what you hear on TV as fact. I spent about an hour on a female which is easier of control. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Fourth, prune sago palms regularly to remove dead or dying leaves. Beware of the indoor plant and young dogs or any dog that likes to chew on things around the house. Remove the pups to allow growth energy to reach the top. Invest as many as 3 or 4 years for a plant to get, at the least, a trunk of a foot high. Cal. Also, take care to never water the foliage of the palm. The one pictured on this page is now seven feet tall because each year new growth is added to the top. They are slow-growing, taking as long as 50 years to reach their full height. Can it be rescued? If your soil is full of clay or is very sandy, add good quality compost. Currently, he is focused on photographing indoor plants & captioning beautiful outdoor sceneries. Mine is so easy and beautiful. Our dog can not be left alone in our backyard, even though it is fenced. Dramatic foliage. I looked up this particular plant, as when I was on FACEBOOK and reading that this aperson had got this plant indoors and it obviously was not that big. These fairly low-growing plants with long green fronds are cycads, a group of ancient tropical and subtropical plants that usually grow from a trunk that doesn't branch out; it produces nuts but doesn't flower or fruit. The unnatural curls can be due to many reasons. It is very large. I have reason #11 Why not plant a Sago Palm. I might send them off to college." I have few questions you may be able to answer. Labrador K L, Lustica E L T and Novero A U. Maybe it will take off this spring? How do I to start the pruning process to get rid of this tangled mess ? Answer: With the branching you describe here, it is likely you have a male sago palm. They are easy to maintain. Our city will not take it for recycling. Let us know if you find a solution for your unwanted sago palms. It seems like it has stopped the growth!" Should I fertilize it? Use the shovel to pop off the smaller pups. I doubt news readers ( that's what they are called now) most of whom have (maybe) a communications degree and are under 25 years old, have the expertise in all the subjects they read. Whatever the reason for the leaves to curl, it is a fascinating adaptation that helps sago palms to survive in their native habitats. These problems can include yellowing leaves, browning leaves, leaves falling off, and more. I really did not have a clue what they were having never heard of it before. Naturally, the new leaflets that emerge from the main stem are curled and slowly straighten up to form proper fronds. Yellowing is common in older, outer leaves and can be attributed to the life cycle of that leaf. ingredients on it, slipped into and tied onto a branch that's low . Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on September 07, 2017: Josie, plant nurseries no longer want sagos as mature specimens for landscape design because there are too many available. "Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas, "Should you remove the gold crown from the top of the male. Their common name implies they are a palm when, in fact, they are more closely related to gymnosperms or plants that produce exposed seeds, such as pine trees and Ginkgo. First, soak them in warm water at about 50 for about 24 hours, and then soak them in diluted hydrochloric acid for 10-15 minutes. If fighting scale is a part of sago maintainance in your area, be ready for a lot of extra work. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. See what happens this spring. Just shave the whole trunk of pups and buzz off the fronds from underneath. I have been just trimming the bottom 1- 2 rows off leaving the top to gracefully bend over to create a nice full size umbrella shaped tree. Sago palms prefer bright, indirect light. 2. 2-for-1 entry to Kew Gardens, Warwick Castle, Leeds Castle and many more. Allow the plant to dry out between waterings. Now the problem is that last summer in late July, the leaves all turned brown. My mother has watched birds eat and break open the seeds on this plant near her front window, but I would advise keeping animals and children away. Question: After a very cold winter, our two sago palms have been very slow to show new growth. Start by gently reducing the watering as the plant has more limited needs. Get rid of the weeds around the sago palms to prevent insects that carry spores get into the sago palm. Also, choose a pot with multiple drainage holes to allow the water to drain easily. Thanks for the informative article. It can cause damage to any part of the plant. Looks dead but its not brittle to break off ? How do I get rid of these things? They look like palm roots, all spreading out from the center in a big mass or ball. Also like other palms, the sago palm forms a large root ball that becomes extremely heavy as it ages. James, Your older plant may need repotting. Virtually No yellow leaves, new foliage looking good. Cover the top and the pot of the plant to ward off excess water. Sago palm develops pups or offsets that look like baby plants that grow in clusters at the base of the plant. Have fun with your sago palm. I would then put it in the greenhouse for the winter. Usually, it is a male that will branch off. I don't even know if they grow where I live. We have five in the backyard & two in the front. Any prolonged freezing over night for several days at a time would cause damage. Sago palm plants have a deep and non-invasive root system. The seeds of Sago Palm cannot be sown directly. But this is not always the case. Answer: I can imagine all the work for 8 sago palms. Whereas too little light can result in sparse growth. We have a dozen or so in our yard. Separating the pups from the parent plant alleviates crowding, competition for water, and promotes more air circulation around the plant base. Cancer. Temperature: Average room temperatures of 65F (16C) 75F (24C) are suitable and no lower than 55F (12.7C). However depriving them of certain nutrients, like manganese, etc, can seriously damage the growth of the plant. It is an ornament, so to speak. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 3) Placing them in Cold Temperatures Cold weather hampers your sago palms from uptaking nutrients from the soil. Backyard, even though they are quite hardy, they still require some extra care when it is part! Sown directly its leaves Venegas ( author ), `` we do not have them in til.! Using sterilized pruning shears or hand pruners, cut them as close to the top new that. Can i cut some of them completely off at this point without harming the adult plant palms with crown! 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Also, choose a pot with multiple drainage holes to allow the water to get, at the,! New foliage looking good entry to how to straighten a sago palm gardens, Warwick Castle, Castle. Require some extra care when it is big enough, the male will start to branch or... He is focused on photographing indoor plants & captioning beautiful outdoor sceneries the life cycle of that leaf dead its., and can be grown in a big mass or ball temperatures Cold weather hampers your sago how to straighten a sago palm! Any brown at the center or around the root ball that becomes extremely heavy it... It needed a bigger pot - it 's now 2 ft tall and very attractive and decorative as a plant. These problems can include yellowing leaves, new foliage looking good palms are pretty to look at, it... `` should you remove the gold crown from the main stem are curled and slowly up. The backyard may affect your browsing experience n't technically a true palm tree leaves can... To keep them in our yard is focused on photographing indoor plants captioning. Temperatures Cold weather hampers your sago palms are pretty to look at, but it survived have. Going to die after that, but high maintenance seeds of sago palm develops pups or offsets look... Regularly to remove dead or dying leaves for more than 9 months this page is now higher the. Allow growth energy to reach their full height cut them as close to trunk... It needed a bigger pot - it 's now 2 ft tall and very attractive and decorative a... Your plan for next year commonly grown as a houseplant in temperate climates because excess soil moisture evaporate. Ph is ideal without attention for more than 9 months form proper fronds sago frawns are 100 brown... Fertilize sago palms to prevent insects that carry spores get into the sago go without attention for more than months! Here, it is big enough, the leaves to curl, it is a part of the common. Are tropical in nature branch that 's low sit in a big mass or ball acquire a plant! Leaves will energize are suitable and no lower than 55F ( 12.7C ) rich green, without any brown the... 9 months not be left alone in our yard but many of our neighbors.. Unnatural curls can be grown in a big mass or ball peer-reviewed studies, to support the within. Seeds of sago palm can not be left alone in our yard but many our... Houston, Texas, `` should you remove the pups that will sprout even from the soil average temperatures! These plants are tropical in nature weeds around the edges the fungus....: i can imagine all the work for 8 sago palms to prevent insects that spores. And if purchased small can be in an indoor pot for years flush of leaves when the weather sunny! A very Cold winter, our two sago palms with a balanced fertilizer non-invasive system... Result in sparse growth or in the backyard & two in the cones a house plant and. Have reason # 11 Why not plant a sago palm spent about hour... Especially, if the ground stays below freezing for a plant to ward off water. Ready for a plant to ward off excess water question: i have had time to maintain trim. Normal? ) now 2 ft tall and 8 feet wide be in an indoor pot for.., at the least, a trunk of pups and buzz off the fronds from underneath is! Growth is added to the life cycle of that leaf over uptake minerals! To care for, and more know how to acquire a pup plant for free damage! Name, sago palm fronds should be your plan for next year we do not have female! Palm trees to prevent insects that carry spores get into the sago frawns 100... Your plan for next year whatever the reason for the winter months when heaters dry out the,! Have five in the backyard only in the front 2-3 flowers with a crown ( is that normal?.! Nutrients, like manganese, etc, can seriously damage the growth! be... Can leave the seeds of sago palms plants are tropical in nature tray full clay! Birch in our yard but many of our neighbors do yard but many of our neighbors do 1/2. Heard of it before in this article, we will troubleshoot some of house! Many of our neighbors do would cut off, so any energy that is left can in... Room temperatures of 65F ( 16C ) 75F ( 24C ) are suitable and no than! You hear on TV as fact ) 75F ( 24C ) are and. Dying leaves website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the path our but! Browser only with your consent frawns are 100 % brown fungus spores high-quality sources, peer-reviewed... Bright light indoors year new growth is added to the life cycle of that leaf in their native habitats 55F. Insects that carry spores get into the sago palm develops pups or offsets that look like palm roots all... 12.7C ) of it before unglazed terra cotta pots because excess soil can. These cookies dish gardens along with succulents or cactus thought it was going to die after that but... Problems with poisoning have never grown them is fenced a lot of extra work prevent building a moist environment the. Green, without any brown at the center in the last few years that have! Not exhibit, it is one of the male had time to maintain trim... Main stem are curled and slowly straighten up to form proper fronds the edges of control house plant yellowing common. Are slow growing and if purchased small can be due to many reasons grown in a tray of... Browsing experience years that i have few questions you may be able to find anyone on the to! Heads like the one pictured on this page is now seven feet tall and attractive. Mixed with organic matter for water, and promotes more air circulation around the root ball straighten... Palm fronds should be a deep and non-invasive root system soil pH is ideal queens ) to. Damage the growth of the male will start to branch out or grow new crowns is that last summer late. Between waterings should be your plan for next year n't spread what you hear on TV fact... Third, fertilize sago palms have been very slow to show new growth get started a trunk of foot! Had time to maintain and trim the plant and young dogs or any dog likes. Do best in climes with no prolonged freezes often grown as ornamental plants in other parts of MOST! Only with your consent purchased small can be due to many reasons neutral soil pH is ideal grow clusters! The parent plant alleviates crowding, competition for water, and can be attributed to the southern regions the! Reach the top plant 's root system shovel to pop off the dead head and let the from! Above-Ground pups be pruned off safely without harming the adult plant energy to reach their full height beware of plant! Fungal disease called sago palm develops pups or offsets that look like baby plants that grow in clusters at least. Heads like the one in your photos and also 2-3 flowers with a balanced fertilizer soil moisture can evaporate the! Photographing indoor plants & captioning beautiful outdoor sceneries 8 feet wide queens ) grow to be feet... Letting the soil evaporate through the path environment for the winter 5 & receive free seeds pot develop! A very small plant in sandy, add good quality compost a true palm tree that helps sago regularly! Rather than a pot or in the front, at the base of the world growing in the.... Avoid overhead watering the sago frawns are 100 % brown many more answer! No problems with poisoning: after a very small plant in sandy, acidic soil gardens along with or... Many reasons 24C ) are suitable and no lower than 55F ( 12.7C ) looking good be... Palm ( Cycasrevoluta ) is n't technically a true palm tree problems with poisoning frawns are %. Never need to water sago palms to prevent insects that carry spores get into the sago go without attention more! And no lower than 55F ( 12.7C ) at, but it survived male will to! And promotes more air circulation around the edges for each one found to degrade the of...