Should Sago Palm Pups Be Removed?

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Sugo palm pups are known for having an enhancing landscape appearance and creating a tropical effect on the plants, but the unsightly yellow or brown foliage found on the plants’ heads leaves one wondering if you should prune them. But should sago palm pups be removed?

These yellow or brownish heads are signs of a nutrient deficiency, and you can sometimes remedy it by using a type of fertilizer, while other times, it can be pruned and removed. Using the fertilizers is a much-preferred alternative as cutting it off might create a deficiency in the palms.

Should Sago Palm Pups Be Removed?

Yes, you can choose to remove sago palm pups, but it should be done safely and not in excess. Use fertilizers if the case is not severe and only remove them if the plant is completely dead, diseased to a fault, or badly damaged. In this case, if desired, you can also prune the fruits and flower stalks.

Another reason why people prune these palm pups is if they notice a decrease in growth. Doing this is unhealthy for your plant as it makes it weaker and more susceptible to pests and diseases.

If you must prune these plants, cut the leaves that are lower and closer to the trunk instead; you have to be careful while doing this because this procedure is extreme.

You would notice that the matured palm pups develop this yellow discoloration at the base or side of their trunk and the best time to prune them is in early spring or late fall. You should gently dig and lift this plant from the base and pop them from the trunk with a hand trowel or knife.

See Also: Is Yucca a Palm Tree?

The amazing thing is that you can always use the part you cut out from the plant pup. You have to remove all the foliage and lay them on a dry surface for about a week or two, then replant them on well-drained sandy soil.

To do this, place half of the root ball just below your soil surface, and then while watering thoroughly, keep the new pups in a shady area until its rooting takes place. When you notice that it has started rooting, then you can begin feeding them with low doses of fertilizers.

How Do I Transplant Sago Palm Pups?

You should note that you shouldn’t transplant sago palm pups until they start forming extensive root systems. Sago palm pups do not like any form of disturbance, so any transplanting must be done carefully.

When you have just planted your sago, you must make sure that transplanting is done during the early spring, while you can do the older ones in early spring or late fall.

How To Trim a Sago Palm Trees

We will provide a detailed explanation of how to properly trim your sago palm. These methods are as follows;

1. Prune The Fronds Annually

The best time to trim your sago plants is annually in autumn because that’s the best time to trim your plant since they can’t produce any seeds for new growth.

By pruning the fronds during this time, you would be less likely to accidentally weaken the sago palms. You should note that cutting healthy fronds will weaken your plant and make disease and pest infestations easier.

2. Trim The Frost Damaged Palms at The Beginning of Spring

Sago palms can survive cold winters, but as a result, they experience frost damage, so you have to wait until spring for you to perform this. By then, they would be no more frosts, and you can now see the foliage damaged by the frosts and take off.

It would be best if you always put on long sleeves and gloves before you start pruning because these sago plants are toxic to humans. After all, it is made of spiky spines and also, and when ingested, it can cause a lot of harm to humans and other animals.

3. Cut Off All the Brown and Yellow Fronds from The Side of The Trunk

You can do this with a pair of gardening shears or clippers effectively. You have to be very careful so you do not cut off the healthy leaves, and you should focus on cutting the brown and yellow foliage by the base of the tree where you can find the oldest leaves.

4. Remove All the Leaf Litters and Debris from Around the Area

After successfully cutting out all the brown and yellow unwanted pups, you should clean the area to increase or improve the flow of air around the area. It would be best if you always remembered to use gloves for these as the male plants can be very allergic.

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