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The tortoise of the flora world , sago palms ( Cycas revoluta ) are a cycad that behaves much like a succulent and can take a undecomposed 50 years to reach its maximum medium height of 10 ’ feet ( although 15 ’ foot specimens have been watch in ideal condition ) .
While not a laurel wreath tree , the plant gets its name because of the ocular resemblance , while “ sago ” is a type of comestible plant starch that ’s often harvest from this and other plant .
An genuine palm tree tree species , Metroxylon sagu , is known as the “ reliable sago thenar ” and the name sometimes causes confusion between the two unrelated species .
When produce a plant that ’s literally a souvenir from the age of dinosaurs , you’re able to be assured it ’s not too picky and very well conform to almost any condition .
However , the more you’re able to cater to its preferences , the more this cycad will be able-bodied to give back .
This plant is n’t likely to live in USDA hardiness zones scummy than 9a , so it ’s most often grown indoors as a generations - traverse container flora .
As a result , one of the good areas in which to mollycoddle in yourCycas revolutacarehappens to be its soil .
Sago Palm Soil
Cycas revolutais very forgiving when it get to dirt , but there are still some rule to succeed for the best potential results .
Here ’s everything you need to have sex to secure your sago medal is getting the most out of its soil .
Sago Palm’s Soil Preferences
This cycad is more like succulents than other cycad and absolutely detest to seat in water .
As a result , it works best in a sandy or loamy soil , but will not make it well in clay soils unless amended with an aggregate such as gravel or coarse sand .
constitutive matter , while not essential , really help this plant do its best and is highly recommended .
speak of tolerances , your cycad will revel soils with an back breaker to neutral pH of around 6.5 to 7.0 .
fertilizer that improve acidity are great , and should allow for manganese , an essential mineral that will aid prevent yellow leave .
A fertilizer entail for actual laurel wreath applied once in April , June , and August will sour well with the sago palm , even though the plant life is unrelated .
Picking a Commercial Potting Mix
Most sandlike houseplant mixes will work for your potted sago palm , although you could also utilise a cactus or succulent mix .
foot out a right mix that offers loose soil and great drain so your plant life wo n’t have to concern about the dirt compacting too far .
Additionally , you will require to add up some perlite or harsh Baroness Dudevant into the mix to avail keep it loose .
This leads us to the elephant in the way : cheap commercial filth .
Never grease one’s palms a potting territory that seems too garish to be reliable .
These soils are sold cheap because they trend corners when preparing and box the mixing .
Most notorious is the fact that these soils are often not sterilized , allowing fungous and microbic spore to lay inactive until your precious sago plant waken them .
Likewise , many land - based infestation are able to remain dormant as bollock or chow throughout the wintertime and can easily infest your plants .
Even if the pest is n’t a problem for your cycad , they could scatter to attack any other plants nearby .
or else , always go for a stain name that has a effective reputation .
One of the best selection in a MiracleGro cactus and succulent mix , meliorate with perlite .
Not only is MiracleGro full-bodied in organic matter , but it ’s a tried and trusted mark that has been used for generations without any major character issue .
Related : start up Sago Palm Pups
Using Commercial Regular Potting Soil Mixes
As mentioned , using a commercial mix does n’t just imply dumping a purse into your container and being done .
It ’s a good idea to put a layer of aggregate at the bottom of the Mary Jane , such as coarse gravel or perlite .
This creates a polisher zone so water will drain more efficiently with less risk of infection of the lower roots or the source ball sitting in a reservoir .
A high quality potting mixture will have plenty of constitutional matter , but you might still wish well to add some mulch or compost to the top .
Homemade Potting Soil for Sago Palms
Sometimes the unspoilt blends are those you make yourself , and your sago medallion tree will love a good homemade potting mix .
One of the best recipes for this plant is also one of the most simplistic .
essay mixing one part each of common George Sand or perlite , peat moss , and pine bark .
This provide an efficient soilless commixture that is not only well - draining but also has plenty of organic matter .
The peat will keep on some water , countenance the plant to drink without the ancestor get too wet .
Amending Outdoor Soils
You will likely wish to amend the soil in your garden before implant a sago palm .
commence with a substrate of coarse gravel to assure good drain during rainstorms , and rectify the grunge with Baroness Dudevant or perlite as needed . When planting is a mint always use a container with drainage jam .
You will also have to consider hybridizing pollution with the land around nearby plants .
Lawn fertiliser , for example , can ooze into the soil around your sago flora .
If your planting zona lacks a roadblock , you will need toadjust your cycad ’s fertilizerintake to account for any hybridization - contaminant , which can be measured using grime exam kit get at many garden storage .
The Benefits of Mulching
WhileCycas revolutais able-bodied to deal most soils , it really treasure mass of organic affair .
Mulch not only provides a obtuse release of matter into the land , but can also avail prevent weeds and other trouble .
A 3 ” inch layer of mulch in zones 9a to 9b can help protect the plant from faint frosts or temperature drop .
taste to obviate allowing the mulch to pile up around the trunk or crown , as this can extend to piddle retention and potential rot .
