Fertilizing sagos

[Juju]

I live in the panhandle of Florida and my husband has just transplanted some sagos, and he was interested in finding out when to fertilize them.

Thanks
Judy

[Grey]

Spring and late summer, so now is a good time. They really do not need a lot of fertilizer to be happy.

Sagos are a little like cacti - water when almost dry. A lot of people accidentally overwater them.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Fertilizing in fall is not a great idea; it pushes new growth before the plant can harden off (not as much of an issue for you) and while the roots aren't really capable of intaking nutrition (waste of fertilizer that, if you are using chemical fertilizer (non-organic), just dissolves and runs into streams and rivers, eventually into the ocean, where, in Florida anyway, it has been shown to be killing corals by increasing algal blooms on the reefs. Using compost or organic fertilizer is a much better deal for you, the plant, and the environment...(the lower assays won't push growth, and the carbon based compost stays put until the plant needs it, not running into the ocean)

Scott

[Grey]

Since he is in FL, and I did feed things in Fall in FL, that's why I said now is a good time. Palms don't harden off, they just stay green and happy in all that hot, humid weather!

We are a compost/organic happy bunch here - and I fully agree with Scott about fertilizers, especially in FL. It all just runs down into the aquifer, and parts of FL, believe it or not, have trouble getting decent water anymore (St. Petersburg, for example).

[opabinia51]

Yes, the process that Scott and Gry are talking about is called EUTROPHICATION and it is a huge problem both in Florida and from the Mississippi.

Anyway, I think that the original question was about Sages? If so, the only fertilizer I've ever given my sage plants is manure and leaf mold. The plants grow like crazy and give me lots of good stuff to eat.

Though, I'm starting to think that Sages might be a common name for some other type of plant.

[Grey]

I think the OP meant Sago Palms. They are expensive, beautiful plants, very green and easy to care for.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Ah, but we are talking about that dinosaur of houseplants (they actually do have fossil records of this plant from back then), Sago palms (although that is a misnomer as they are really cycads and not palms at all)...

HG

[Grey]

In Florida, Sagos grow outdoors just fine too. Not a houseplant there!

[The Helpful Gardener]

True, true...I tend to forget that not everywhere has a winter...

[Grey]

This will be my first, Scott. 29 years of summer, summer, summer and more summer - I am enjoying seasons (so far)!

[The Helpful Gardener]

Not sure I could do without; Lil' Frer moved to S.F. a decade back and says he still misses it some...(he's obvviously glossed over the harsh memories...)

HG

[Grey]

Shouldn't be too harsh here. Our averages look pretty sweet, if you ask me.

https://www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/garden/weather/climo-monthly-graph.html?locid=30747&from=36hr_bottomnav_garden

[The Helpful Gardener]

Cushy...

[Grey]

Jealous?
CT gets pretty darn cold... lol

[grandpasrose]

Although, don't forget, we can't count on past weather patterns as much, they seem to be a-changin'!
VAL

[Grey]

This year our average seems to be more like September. Our highs are still hitting 85. I came inside because I wanted to cool off!

[grandpasrose]

So just keep up the bragging!! There are times I envy people who have a milder climate and can grow things I can't and all year round, but then, I also enjoy the total break that winter gives me as well, like it gives me permission to focus on something else for a couple of months!
VAL

[Grey]

That last one was not bragging. It was complaining, because I have had my fill of summer and want some nice, cool fall weather. Why on earth did I buy all those sweaters for if not to enjoy them?

[opabinia51]

Wow, you guys are hilarious.


Thanks for the clarification Grey

[Grey]

Anytime, sweetie.

[grandpasrose]

Grey, don't worry, you'll get a chance to wear those sweaters soon enough! Pretty soon you'll be tired of them!!!
VAL

[Grey]

I dunno....
I really do not like shorts... I love jeans, pants, and long sleeves. There's something cozy about wearing a sweater. I wear 'em even when it's barely cool enough to warrant one. Like the big grey wraparound I've got on now. Sorta goes with the hot chai tea and pumpkin bread for breakfast, you know?

And now this thread has wandered far, far, far from fertilizing Sago Palms.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Even I cannot sanction this one. WAY off base...

HG