Sago Palms

Question

I have two sagos that are approx 15 years old. They are about 6 feet apart. They are both healthy and gorgeous. One sago is a female. It produced its first batch of seeds two years ago. It has its second pod of seeds that I plan to harvest in the spring. The other one has never produced a male cone or a female seed pod. However, it produces pups like crazy. My guess is the female is being pollinated by other males from our cul-de-sac. Here are my two questions:

1. Any thoughts on why the one plant has yet to “show” its gender?
2. The female has yet to produce pups. Is that unusual?

Thanks,
Robert Bisking

Answer 1

It can take anywhere from 15 to 20 years for a Sago Palm to bloom.

Here are some great articles to help understand this most interesting plant!

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/sago-palm-flower-removal.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/sago-palms-flower.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/multi-headed-sagos.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/how-to-care-for-sago-palms.htm