Cycads are frequently known as living fossils.
The sago palm (Cycad revolute) isn’t really a palm however a cycad, a genus more carefully associated with pines than palms. They've glossy dark eco-friendly leaves which are leatherlike and hard. They're dioecious, meaning the vegetation is either man or woman. A mans plants provide an elongated cone-like development in the leaf crown, as the female creates a felt-like mass. For those who have both a men and women plant, the felty mass will produce seeds. They're slow growing, and can normally produce one flush of recent growth annually. Although sago palms are relatively problem-free, challenge with unwanted pests, illnesses and just how you are growing them may affect their own health.
Illnesses
Sago palms are usually disease-free, but under certain conditions, root rot or crown rot may occur. This really is frequently the result of a yeast disease known as Phytophthora, which prevents the guarana plant from absorbing water and nutrients. The very first signs and symptoms might be yellowing leaves, adopted with a soft trunk or soft roots. The fungus forms because of wet, poorly drained soils. Moving the guarana plant to higher draining soil, eliminating soft and rotted areas of the guarana plant and treating having a fungicide labeled to be used on cycads prevents further degeneration.
Insects
The most typical insects to fight sago palms are scale insects and mealybugs. Both of them are sucking insects that feed off plant juices. Scale insects frequently seem like small helmets or white-colored waxy spots, plus they secrete a sticky substance that draws black sooty mold. Mealybugs form a cotton-like structure over their physiques. The insects live inside these structures, so topical sprays must dissolve the waxy coating if they're to work. Insecticidal soaps and mild alcohol solutions can be used as this. Although systemic treatments must sort out the plant’s system and take more time to work, the outcomes are frequently more complete and lengthy-lasting.
Nutrient Problems
Sago palms sometimes develop yellowing or frizzled leaves. Generally, when the lower foliage is yellowing it's most likely natural discarding of old leaves. Yellow, frizzled or zigzag new growth is reason to be concerned, and could be an indicator of disease, insects or nutrient deficiency. Manganese deficiency is typical in sago palms, which condition is generally present in soils which are very acidity or alkaline, since the extreme pH levels make manganese unavailable towards the plant. First, look into the soil’s pH level, after which add manganese if required after correcting the pH problem. The perfect pH range for sagos is between 6. and 6.5.
Ecological Problems
Problems can happen because of ecological conditions. Wet, heavy soils may encourage disease. Moving a sago palm from the shaded place to a warm sunny you can produce leaf scorch, and when it will get freezing the leaves can become broken. Remove broken leaves, and when the region where new leaves emerge isn't broken, it’s likely the sago palm will get over this sort of leaf damage.