Sago Palm Problems

The sago palm is botanically known as Cycas revoluta, and although their appearance is quite similar to a palm, they are not, nor do they belong to the palm trees family. They are cycads, belonging to the division Cycadophyta. Sago palms are characterized by a group of seed plants, that have a stout trunk and a large crown of bright green compound leaves. Native to southern Japan, sago palms are now popularly cultivated as an ornamental landscaping plant or an indoor houseplant in warm temperate and subtropical regions.

The plant is a very slow growing plant, to reach its maximum height of 20 feet plus, it needs a good 50-100 years. Its trunk is low and multiple branching, with each branch producing new leaf heads. The leaves are a bright green, glossy in some species, recurved towards the end, and about 20-60 inches long. When sago plant reaches a reproductive age, it bears a feather-like rosette. Being dioecious in its sexual reproduction patterns, the males bear cones and the females bear groups of megasporophylls on separate plants. The sago palms belongs to the Mesozoic Era, and for this reason are nicknamed as 'living fossils'.

Sago Plant Care

Sago palm is a long life plant, and once planted does not like to be moved. Moreover, as its spread is quite large, the location must be chosen with care for its growth. This ancient plant is extremely hardy, it will survive extreme heat, cold, even frost. It enjoys light, but not direct harsh sun, the leaves tend to turn a yellow-brown with too much sun exposure. Outdoors, it must be grown in partially shaded areas, and indoors, towards a source of light. It does very well in well-drained, sandy soil rich in humus. Although tolerant of drought, it cannot withstand too much water, so avoid swampy locations and water retaining soil. Water them when the top soil completely dries up. The sago palm does not like too much watering, especially in winters. A feed of a balanced fertilizer during its active growth season; March to September, 2-3 applications between this time is more than enough to keep this plant healthy. Avoid excess fertilizing, it will wilt the leaves.

Problems Related to Sago Palms

Problems range from an odd pest that may attack it, to its growing and toxicity problems. Some of them have listed below.

Scales: An infestation of scales can ruin the appearance of the sago palm, turning the leaves yellow. Scales appear as tiny, sometimes sticky white spots on the underside of the plant's leaves. Unchecked, they can spread to the trunk and roots as well.

Large Leaves: Although not one of the major problems with sago palms, its beautiful leaves need to be kept clean and free of all wind blown leaves or dead insects that get trapped in its fronds. Rotting debris can cause an array of fungal infections, damaging the plant.

Toxicity: Although a popular landscaping plant, sago palms do not find much favor with home garden growers, especially pet owners because of its high levels of toxicity. Within 12 hours of consuming sago palm fronds, pets and humans can experience internal bleeding, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, liver failure, etc. According to the Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA), a fatality rate of 50 to 75 percent after ingesting sago palm has been estimated among pets.

Another problem with this plant is its slow growth rate; a couple of inches every year, but then a plant enthusiast does not really mind the wait!