Sago Palm Tree CareThe Sago Palm, with a Latin name Cycas revolute, is one of the oldest types of plants that lives. The tree is essentially a cycad and not a palm tree. People mistake it for a palm tree because it appears like one. This plant belongs to the Cycadaceae family. This cycad first appeared on the planed in the Paleozoic Era, which was from 350 to 250 million years past. It was even before the flowering plants showed up. These plants prevailed during the Mesozoic Era and survived with the dinosaurs. Because of this, the sago palm is at times called “living fossils” and the Mesozoic Era is at times called “Age of Cycads.” Palm Tree Description This cycad has trunks that are solid and straight. The trunks are typically nearly 1 to 2 feet wide in diameter. Sometimes, the trunks are wider and can mature into very old varities with 20 feet of trunk. The leaves grow to around 3 to 4 feet when the plant reaches a propagative age and are dark olive green in color. If not cultivated in full sun, the leaves can grow longer. 
The trunks of the plant branch several times, so it produces numerous heads of leaves. The trunks are coarse and hold the old bases of the leaves. This plant produces basal offsets, otherwise called “suckers” at the central trunk’s base. Therefore, you get a cluster of several plants and also trunks over time. The Cycas revoluta’s stems (petioles) have tiny protective hooks or barbs that must be avoided when pruning. A much older plant with a trunk that’s deep-rooted will have foliage above. A younger plant appears like a decoration of leavings coming out from a stem near by the ground. Sago Reproduction The sago plant’s reproduction is by seed or by the subtraction of basal offsets. The basal offsets usually appear at the ground level near the central stem. They can actually also appear above the ground and on the trunk. Like other cycads, this one has female of male cones, which are a cycad’s reproductive segment. Female cones are shaped like a cabbage and are colored tan-yellow or gold. It opens up slowly when accessible to pollen. The male cones bulge and are cone-shaped. A female sago palm can’t produce worthwhile and fertile seeds without pollination. Pollination happens in the wild when the wind disperses male pollen. But, most of the pollination is believed done by insects. Although it is common for a separated female plant to generate seeds that are infertile that look “good”. These will have the usually red fruit but will not have an inner embryo. These will also not germinate. Female cones that are receptive can be pollinated by insects (natural) or by man (artificial). Once fertile seeds are gathers, a few months of storage are usually required before the inner embryo is prepared to germinate. That is why before you try to grow seeds, it is recommended that the seeds be cleaned of external fruit first and set aside. Where to Grow Sago palm Trees Sago palms grow virtually any place where the summer seasons are mildly warm. They enjoy places where they will be safe from snow and frost. If planted in pots, these cycads can be cultivated in cold weather. You can grow the palm in the ground if you don’t have frost-ridden winters. The plants that are grown in the ground require minimal maintenance and can grow taller than those grown in pots. Temperature And Climate These palms grow best in places with a temperature ranging from 15 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Too high temperature may damage the plant’s leaves and they could turn to a brown or yellow color. When you see brown or yellow leaves on the plants, remove them to lessen the strain on the plant and inspire new leaves to grow. If the temperature is below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant could die. But if the leaf crown and trunk on the plant is hard word, it can recover. You’ll know if your sago palm get too damaged to recover when the trunk get soft. Sago Palm Care Sago palm care is fairly easy. These plants don’t need much water and they only need balanced fertilizer to be applied every six months. If your plant has turned to a leaf catcher, getting rid of all the compost buildup from the center of the plant is important. If you don’t remove the compost buildup and just leave it to rot inside the plant, it can cause innumerable diseases as well as fungus problems. These disease and problems are better when prevented than trying to remedy. Hidden Dangers Of Sago The Sago palm tree, one of the oldest plants on earth, is very poisonous if ingested by animals and humans. It can cause damage to the liver, especially if the nut part of the plant is ingested. These plants are very eye-catching and tasty for animals, but these are very deadly and can cause death in a matter of hours after ingestion. It is best to keep your pets and children away from this plant. Similar Posts _________________________________________________________________ Top of Sago Palm Tree Listed under Landscape Plants |