Question
Gary,

We have two very healthy sagos about 10 years old that propagated several younger palms under them that had large, healthy-looking fronds but caused a crowding problem. When we cleaned up our landscaping recently we transplanted the younger palms to other locations. After a few weeks, I noticed yellow, drooping fronds, so I started reading up on them. I cut off half the leaves to avoid too much loss of moisture and fertilized, but many of the remaining leaves are still yellow and drooping. Is there a point where I should trust that bud and roots are established and cut off all old leaves to encourage new growth?


THanks!
Tom S. in Houston
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Answer
Tom,

I wouldn't chop off the old leaves.  Your plants are suffering from transplant shock.  If you remove too much foliage you might just increase the stress the plants are under.  Once you see new growth sprouting it will OK to remove the old foliage.  Be patient and see if they come out of it.

Good gardening

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