CARE OF A SAGO PALM TREE

Sago Palm Trees are very well suited to the climate and environment of Arizona. Read on to learn more about how you can make the most of your sago palm tree.

CARE OF A SAGO PALM TREE

Well kept ash trees provide an outstanding addition to your Arizona lSago Palms offer a primitive yet beach like addition to your landscaping. With large fronds certainly comparable in size to palms, sago palms are actually cycads and closely related to conifers. Sago palms grow in zones 8,9 and 10 of the USDA plant hardiness zones. When well kept, the mature sago palm can reach up to ten feet in height.

WHERE TO PLANT YOUR SAGO PALM

Capable of growing in fully sunlit areas, sago palms grow best in areas with a moderate amount of shade. Sunburnt foliage can occur should the plant receive too much sunlight. However, if the plant has partial shade, the leaves grow larger. Sago plants also require soil that drains well. Waterlogged conditions can cause problems with rot. However the soil must maintain enough moisture. A partly sandy site with compost is ideal for a sago palm.

WATERING YOUR SAGO PALM

Watering is only needed when the soil starts to become dry. Younger sago palms appreciate irrigation on a regular basis. Ideally, watering every five to seven days when there is little or no rainfall and using enough water so the top 12 inches or so of soil is moist is more than adequate. Well established plants are usually drought resistant and require watering only on rare occasions.

FERTILIZING YOUR SAGO PALM

An annual does of a slow release balanced fertilizer in spring time should be sufficient for nutrition. Use one tablespoon per square foot of a 10-10-10 recipe for fertilizer around the base of the sago palm, at least eight to nine inches from the palm and water it in. if you see yellow foliage it may be indicative of a potassium shortage or magnesium shortage in the soil. Older foliage may stay yellow but by using some chelated iron spray on the foliage, new foliage should be a healthy green in color.

PRUNING YOUR SAGO PALM

Pruning is really for decoration with the sago palm. The cone can be removed from the sago palm in a careful manner as long as the growing point beneath it does not become damaged. If left in place, the cone will fall apart and fall off on its own as new foliage develops. If older foliage becomes tatty, cut them close to the trunk once the new leaves have fully unfolded.

ISSUES WITH SAGO PALMS

Sago palms are very resilient to diseases and pests. Waterlogged soil resulting in root rot is a common issue but with proper watering and well draining soil it should not be a problem. Insects rarely trouble a sago palm outdoors. Sago palms can tolerate temperatures as low as 13 degrees Fahrenheit, but if it falls below 25 Fahrenheit, it could cause some of the foliage to die.

SICK SAGO PALM TREATMENT

Once you know why the sago palm is yellowing, you will need to have a plan to treat sick Sago palms effectually. When nutritional deficiencies are present, feed sago palms houseplant fertilizer on a monthly basis. Regular balanced fertilizer is essential for sago palms. If your sago palm is indoors and scale infestations become an issue, you can try hand picking them off or placing them outdoors and allow their natural predators to help eliminate them.