skip to main content

Why did my Sago grow leaves like this...?

10 years ago

I bought this one about 4 years ago, and don't know anything about Sago's. After 2 1/2 years or so, it still hadn't put out any new fronds. So I was surprised one day when I noticed new growth finally. Well, they kept on growing and didn't much look like the existing fronds. Now that the new ones have all grown out, I don't really care for the look. I would have preferred they look like the older ones.
Anyone know what happened here...? Should I cut them off, or leave them, and will any new ones be like these ones..?
These new fronds are about 1 year old.

[URL=http://s796.photobucket.com/user/dahur1/media/IMG_8038_zps02320689.jpg.html][IMG]http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy249/dahur1/IMG_8038_zps02320689.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

lzrddr
10 years ago
looks like you cycad went from natural light to poor, indoor lighting, and so the leaves are bizarre, unhealthy and overly stretched (etiolated). These plants need a lot more sun to stay happy
xerophyte NYC
10 years ago
As well intentioned as stores may be, they continue to mislabel Cycas revoluta, aka Sago Palm, as a houseplant. It needs outdoor sun, or similar, to grow correctly. A regular window is not enough light no matter how bright it may seem. Being indoors also leaves the plant prone to mealy bugs.

New leaves will also be elongated until you can place the plant somewhere with real sun. What you can try is to keep it indoors, and then as soon as you see new leaves forming, put it outside and leave it there until the new leaves harden completely (3-6 weeks). Then you can bring it back inside.

A healthy Sago will grow new leaves at least once a year. In poor conditions (low light, drought) leaves will form less often because the plant will wait until it has built up enough starch from photosynthesis to invest into new leaves. If you cut off all the leaves, you might be able to trick the plant into sending out new leaves but you have to supplement with a high Nitrogen fertilizer to pull it off successfully.

x
Related Discussions
Why do my pepper leaves look like this??
Q
Comments (41)
I gave up growing bells when HEB started selling those big red ones for 98 cents. Then a couple weeks ago they had them 2 for $1 and I went hog wild! Some got frozen, the rest I hickory smoke-dried and turned into chili powder, Those will be blended in with whatever hot pepper powder I end up with at season's end. Man what a great year this is turning out to be. :)
...See More
Why did my Habaneros and Scotch Bonnets grow like this?
Q
Comments (7)
Could a pollinating bee have perhaps mixed jalapeno pollen with this plant? &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Cross pollination can ONLY affect the seeds of the cross pollinated flower./pod . The plants (fruits and foliage) does not look like either Habanero or scotch bonnet. I think you are right. They look more like Jalapeno and serrano to me. Have you been also germinating any of those ? Seysonn
...See More
How do you get a lot of leaves to grow at one point like this?
Q
Comments (1)
Normal variant in growth pattern. It just happens.
...See More
Why do these leaves look like this? I ask for your opinion, please.
Q
Comments (10)
Jaqueline, it is interesting his explanation for the fact that only the tips of the leaves are burnt. I would like to look for information on this fact. Is it possible that the rose bush stops sending sap to some parts to preserve others from death? I mean if that botanically is possible? I will imagine the explanation of the process. Maybe it's a crazy idea but I'll expose it: It occurs to me to think now what happens in autumn. As temperatures drop, the rosary is ready for winter. Before dropping the leaves the rose bush "recovers" the nutrients from the leaves and accumulates them in the roots. Then, since it is not going to specify the leaves for photosynthesis, the amount of abscisic acid and ethylene increases, and this increase causes that in the zone of abscission (leaf-to-stem bonding) the leaf detachment finally occurs . In this case it is not a matter of recovering the nutrients from the leaves nor does the rosal need to be detached from them because it will continue to specify them for photosynthesis and transpiration. Ethylene and abscisic acid do not increase and so leaf detachment does not occur (leaf senescence). It only allows the tips of the leaves to die, leaving the part that is possible to them alive. This part of the saved leaf of death will continue to be useful for photosynthesis. Hahahaha Sorry It was just an idea of what could happen. Should be an amateur with botanical knowledge who could tell us if this is really the process or we are in error.
...See More
dahur
Original Author
10 years ago
Ok, I just cut off all the long leaves, put in some Miracle Grow, and put it outside.
theseventhlegend
10 years ago
You may also not want to put it in full sun just yet. Gradually accltimate it, Sagos can burn.
xerophyte NYC
10 years ago
dahur - Regular Miracle Gro is better than nothing, but Miracle Gro for lawns is even better because it has extra N. Feed it every 2-3 weeks until new leaves grow, then reduce fertilizer.

And yes the older leaves can and will sunburn, just like you or me, when we go out in sun for the first time. Place it in a spot that only gets morning sun, or dappled shade, for a few weeks. It takes time to acclimate. Once new leaves grow, you can cut off all the old, damaged leaves.
slice4444
10 years ago
I have the same problem up here in central NY. I obviously take it inside in the winter and put it under lights and that's always when it decides to grow new fronds.... It is stretching towards the light source. If I get lucky, I can sometimes get new fronds to grow during the summer when it's outside. When it finally does, I cut the long ones off.
dahur
Original Author
10 years ago
I cut off the bizarre fronds, put it outside, and the fronds did suffer some burning. About two weeks ago it started putting out new fronds, and they're bright and green, and look like the existing ones.

Related Stories

FUN HOUZZ Double Take: Did MoMA Drop a Mini House in the Yard?

By Becky Harris

Or maybe it's garden art or even a modernist-loving giant's step stool. Use your imagination, then get the true tale here

FALL GARDENING 5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden

By Therese Ciesinski

Improve your soil and yard the organic way with a valuable garden booster that grows on trees

FUN HOUZZ Did Elves Make a Home in a San Francisco Park?

By Vanessa Brunner

Speculation has swirled around a Lilliputian doorway in Golden Gate Park. We give you the true story — and a design dilemma

VALENTINE’S DAY Tell Us: Why Did You Fall in Love With Your House?

By Vanessa Brunner

What was it about your house that made your heart flutter? Share your photo, and it could make the Houzz homepage

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Where Did Your House Get Its Look?

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Explore the role of architectural fashions in current designs through 5 home styles that bridge past and present

DISASTER PREP & RECOVERY Remodeling After Water Damage: Tips From a Homeowner Who Did It

By Judith Taylor Designs

Learn the crucial steps and coping mechanisms that can help when flooding strikes your home

TRADITIONAL HOMES Houzz Tour: Historic Victorian Grows to Fit Its Family

By Jennifer Blaise Kramer

Instead of leaving their downtown Santa Barbara home for the suburbs, a couple decided to stay put and add space

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Plants That Snobs Love to Hate — and You'll Love to Grow

Don't dismiss these common annuals, perennials and shrubs — there are reasons they've been popular for so long

EDIBLE GARDENS Houzz Call: Where Are the Craziest Places You Grow Edibles?

By Annie Thornton

Basil in a bathtub, spinach stacked up a wall ... If your edibles occupy an odd spot, we’d like to know

DECLUTTERING Downsizing Help: Choosing What Furniture to Leave Behind

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

What to take, what to buy, how to make your favorite furniture fit ... get some answers from a homeowner who scaled way down

Sponsored

More Discussions

Palm tree name?

3

palms and cycads

0

Pot size for Palm

5

Can I put these in a worm bin?

1

Sick pindo palm

0