I think neem oil works well. We have two Cycads and the next-door neighbor has three. All of them developed scale but my neighbor is getting older and can't keep up with his. I think the scale may have come from his as they were extremely unmaintained. Today I went over talked to him and gave them a full Sago spa day. Complete trim (holy gawd there were so many old fronds) rake, trunk trim with chainsaw, Milorganite 6-4-0, shrub protect and feed (to protect from fungal infections and scale) and some palm shake and feed to boost nutrient levels along with 3 bottle spray of neem oil. They look fking great now 🤗 maybe even better than ours haha. On a side note one of our smaller ones are putting out new fronds. You just have do strigent two-week treatment with neem oil and stay on it. To check the scale, you can pull a frond up and rake your finger to bunch up some scale then rub your fingers together. If its dry, then they are dead. If there is moisture, they are still alive. I'm waiting on full new frond sets to cut all the bad ones away.
I think I could do with neighbours like you! It sounds like you have the scale under control. Unfortunately, in the UK and Europe, neem oil hasn't been certificated as there is some environmental risk with it, which I can't remember just now. Thanks for your comment. Kind regards, Simon
Any idea why my indoor Sago has had one of its leaves all of a sudden turn yellow, its like from the stem of the leaf turning yellow out towards the tips. Some green still on the tip edges but not sure if it will all turn yellow soon. All the other leaves at this moment are still a nice solid green. Was hoping it wouldnt spread to other leaves. Amy idea what the cause is?
Hi James, there are a number of reasons that could cause this, but the number 1 killer of house plants is overwatering. Check out the RHS page for cycad revoluta as this will give you all the common causes, and hopefully, shed some light on your issue. Kind regards, Simon
Excelent tips, thanks. I assume that problem no 6 is too fast give cycas for sun in spring without slowly getting used to sun. It can damage leaves too.
Absolutely, I completely agree. Not hardening off Cycads before moving to a position of full sun will permanently scorch the foliage. That is a good one to add to the list. Kind regards, Simon
HI there, during the growing season I would apply a liquid soluble fertilizer such a Miracle-gro approximately once a fortnight as a matter of course. This will green up any leaves that have 'yellowed' due to nutrient deficiency. However if they are yellow due to sun scorch or cold damage then the yellow will remain. Kind regards, Simon
Yes, it could be low in nutrients which would cause gradual yellowing over time. Or it could be sun scorch if it have been placed in full time after being kept in heavy shade. Also could be cold damage from the winter. I would feed once a fortnight moving forward and hopefully the new grow will come out fine in the next month or so. Simon
My cycad has what looks like green mould on the trunk. There is also some discolouration on the leaves. I’ve tried googling the symptoms but can't find any relevant information. Any ideas would be greater appreciated!
Hi there, is the truck still solid? Are there signs of weeping sap, or softening tissue? Regarding the leaves, can you describe the discolouration further? Simon
Hi, the trunk still seems solid but the leaves have what I would describe as 1cm long white marks. I'm pretty sure the white marks are not an infestation caused by bugs. The leaves are still green and upright. I'm thinking I may repot it and check the condition of the roots at the same time. I just bought a few days ago but in my excitement forgot to thoroughly check the condition!
I've got more of a tip so keep it hush. At my local Walmart outside of Seattle they have $17 small specimens and one looks really ratty. I believe I can take it to customer service and they might be able to knock off a few bucks. I'll try it next time I'm there
Hi Suzanne, unfortunately there are a number of factors that can cause this. Overwintering, poor drainage, too much sun if you are growing it in a hot climate, and maybe a fungal infection at the roots. I'm sorry I can't be more specific at this time. Simon
I think neem oil works well. We have two Cycads and the next-door neighbor has three. All of them developed scale but my neighbor is getting older and can't keep up with his. I think the scale may have come from his as they were extremely unmaintained. Today I went over talked to him and gave them a full Sago spa day. Complete trim (holy gawd there were so many old fronds) rake, trunk trim with chainsaw, Milorganite 6-4-0, shrub protect and feed (to protect from fungal infections and scale) and some palm shake and feed to boost nutrient levels along with 3 bottle spray of neem oil. They look fking great now 🤗 maybe even better than ours haha. On a side note one of our smaller ones are putting out new fronds.
You just have do strigent two-week treatment with neem oil and stay on it. To check the scale, you can pull a frond up and rake your finger to bunch up some scale then rub your fingers together. If its dry, then they are dead. If there is moisture, they are still alive. I'm waiting on full new frond sets to cut all the bad ones away.
I think I could do with neighbours like you! It sounds like you have the scale under control. Unfortunately, in the UK and Europe, neem oil hasn't been certificated as there is some environmental risk with it, which I can't remember just now. Thanks for your comment. Kind regards, Simon
Any idea why my indoor Sago has had one of its leaves all of a sudden turn yellow, its like from the stem of the leaf turning yellow out towards the tips. Some green still on the tip edges but not sure if it will all turn yellow soon. All the other leaves at this moment are still a nice solid green.
Was hoping it wouldnt spread to other leaves. Amy idea what the cause is?
Hi James, there are a number of reasons that could cause this, but the number 1 killer of house plants is overwatering. Check out the RHS page for cycad revoluta as this will give you all the common causes, and hopefully, shed some light on your issue. Kind regards, Simon
Excelent tips, thanks. I assume that problem no 6 is too fast give cycas for sun in spring without slowly getting used to sun. It can damage leaves too.
Absolutely, I completely agree. Not hardening off Cycads before moving to a position of full sun will permanently scorch the foliage. That is a good one to add to the list. Kind regards, Simon
My young cycad had yellowing leaves, could it have been lacking some plant nutrients. What is your advice on fertilizing/feeding?
HI there, during the growing season I would apply a liquid soluble fertilizer such a Miracle-gro approximately once a fortnight as a matter of course. This will green up any leaves that have 'yellowed' due to nutrient deficiency. However if they are yellow due to sun scorch or cold damage then the yellow will remain. Kind regards, Simon
Mine is completely yellow I don't know whether I need to cut it all and I don't know whether the roots are not damaged
Yes, it could be low in nutrients which would cause gradual yellowing over time. Or it could be sun scorch if it have been placed in full time after being kept in heavy shade. Also could be cold damage from the winter. I would feed once a fortnight moving forward and hopefully the new grow will come out fine in the next month or so. Simon
My cycad has what looks like green mould on the trunk. There is also some discolouration on the leaves. I’ve tried googling the symptoms but can't find any relevant information. Any ideas would be greater appreciated!
Hi there, is the truck still solid? Are there signs of weeping sap, or softening tissue? Regarding the leaves, can you describe the discolouration further? Simon
Hi, the trunk still seems solid but the leaves have what I would describe as 1cm long white marks. I'm pretty sure the white marks are not an infestation caused by bugs. The leaves are still green and upright. I'm thinking I may repot it and check the condition of the roots at the same time. I just bought a few days ago but in my excitement forgot to thoroughly check the condition!
I've got more of a tip so keep it hush. At my local Walmart outside of Seattle they have $17 small specimens and one looks really ratty. I believe I can take it to customer service and they might be able to knock off a few bucks. I'll try it next time I'm there
Hello Ryan, my lips are sealed. However, it sounds like you are going to bag yourself a bargain! Good luck, Simon
My king sago’s are very young I bought 2 one is growing stronger than the other one the leaves are going brown in the tips what causes this
Hi Suzanne, unfortunately there are a number of factors that can cause this. Overwintering, poor drainage, too much sun if you are growing it in a hot climate, and maybe a fungal infection at the roots. I'm sorry I can't be more specific at this time. Simon