The fronds of my sago cycad are becoming discolored - mostly older ones, but some new ones have a few brown leaves as well. One in particular developed a spot that died over the course of a few days. Fungal issue? Nutritional issue? Normal aging? I can't figure out what the problem is, or if there even really is one. Please help!
This is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in Sago Palms.
Manganese, not Magnesium, deficiency will appear like this. Sometimes this can be due to a high pH, though.
Here are some articles that will help you to remedy the situation:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/manganese-in-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/manganese-deficiency-in-sagos.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/fertilizing-sago-palms.htm
t affecting the blooming process?
As long as you move the plant in a covered environment, there should be no problem, since this is in container. Otherwise, if moved uncovered, you will need to go very slow to avoid damage.
This article will help you care for your sago in container:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/how-to-care-for-sago-palms.htm
This sago palm has been here for 3 years and always so green. Did it get to much rain? It gets full sun most of the day. Thank you, Amy
That looks pretty even though it isn't what you want! It could be a nutrient deficiency.
Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/sago-leaves-turning-yellow.htm
This beautiful plant was severely butchered by DIL. Wondering what it was and what is growing in the middle.
It looks like a sago palm and that is its flower in the center.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/sago-palm-flower-removal.htm
Can you post a answer on the above
You are in USDA planting zone 9A and sago palms are hardy in zones 9 to 11, according to the article below. However, some sites say they are only hardy to 10, and the article below also says they can sustain damage at 30 degrees F. So, you are right on the edge of hardiness. You can plant it in the garden and take extra precautions at wintertime, or plant it in a pot and bring it indoors over winter. Here is how:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/sago-palm-outdoor-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/sago-palm/sago-winter-care.htm
Back in June I asked a question about a problem we have with a portion of the new fronds dying as a regular thing (see photo). BushDoctor commented (thank you) and thought it might be a Manganese deficiency, so I bought a soil testing kit to see if the soil pH was a problem, but it looked OK (see photo). I also purchased a Manganese supplement and sprayed it on the leaves of a test fern, to by-pass any deficiency in the soil but it made no difference. Any other thoughts please on what the problem might be?
It is a Manganese deficiency. The leaves that are affected will not return to health. The way that you will know that it is working is by the new growth.
Also, these are Cycads and not Tree Ferns. They will need to be treated as Cycads, as they have a very different care routine than Tree Ferns will.
You can cut off any growth that is totally dead, as you see in the picture. They will not return to health.
To make sure that you are caring for the tree properly, please treat it as a Cycad. This article will refresh you on their care:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/cycads/growing-cycad-plants.htm
This gel is clear though a few of them are black. The plant has had a lot of rain.
Cutting any growth from the plant, paired with wet weather will be a recipe for the plant's death, unfortunately.
They do not do well in compact, or wet soils, and do not tolerate pruning unless you are pruning growth that is completely dead and brown.
You can try a fungicide, but this plant is on its way out. There will be no saving this one.
Here is an article to help you with fungicide use:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
This article will help you with the care of Sago Palms:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm