Question

funky looking sago   Hi - I live in San Antonio, TX.  I have had several sago palms for about 10years.  They normally get new fronds at this time of year or a male bloom.  This year one of them has some purple looking seeds surrounded by root lookin things growing up, and covered by a spongy light brown lacey stuff.  The brown stuff is very light and looks like it could be blown or washed off easily.  There is some brown stuff on the stalk of plant too.
Any ideas or suggestions?  Is this a disease or simply a plant gone mad.  The plant otherwise appears pretty healthy.

Answer
Dear Chris, I am jealous.  You are the proud parent of a female bloomig sago palm.  If you have any males blooming at the same time you can try to pollinate it by cutting off the male pollen spike when the pollen starts to fly freely and shake it over the female flower daily.  If they are near each other, it may be pollinated anyway.  Either way, even if you don't get it pollinated, your sago is very healthy and happy.  Enjoy.  Melissa