Question
Our Sago Palm turned crispy brown over the winter.My husband has trimmed it back in hope that it will turn green again.Should I buy him a new plant or is there  a possibility his plant will live?


Answer
Hi Linda,

I am not overly optimistic about the future of your cycad.  There may still be hope if the very center is still pliant and shows some signs of life.  The fronds only grow from the central part of the plant, and once old or dead fronds are removed (either by nature or your husband), the remaining fronds from the center of the plant take the positions of the old, leaving a somewhat "naked" chubby stem.  If you have trimmed the cycad drastically, it may not have enough energy reserves to send out new fronds.  Keep an eye on it over the coming weeks for signs of new frond growth.  Keep the potting medium most, but not overly wet.  Bright light will help also just in case there are photosynthetic bits and pieces still alive.