what are the bulbs sticking out on the cone of my sago palm?

Question

I cut off all fronds and I had a huge round thing in the center. It has developed many small bulbs poking out on all sides.

Answer 1

This is a common response to severe damage. These should never be stripped of their leaves completely. What you are seeing are male flower cones. This is the last effort to let the plant reproduce before it dies. It will require a female plant to make seeds to reproduce, though.

If there are any replacement pups at the base of the palm then it will become the new tree. If there are not, then the tree will likely die, leaving behind no replacement.