Question
QUESTION: Hi. I bought my sago two years ago.It was planted like a bonsai - in a 12"x4" pot w/no drainage & rocks covering the top.  It has been great until it sprouted 3 new shoots
that are much longer than the others. They are practically
sticking straight up. The leaves closer to the plant never developed.  What did I do to cause that and what should I do now.  I use a meter and only water when dry.
Thanks for your help

ANSWER: Betty,

As sago palms get older their leaves naturally get larger. However, since you are keeping it indoors it is also growing larger leaves in an effort to absorb more sun. Many plants grow larger leaves when they receive less light than they prefer to.

The only thing you can do to get them more in proportion at this point is to take very sharp scissors and prune them to the shape of the smaller leaves but slightly larger. They will gradually relax and not stand straight up. I am very surprised your plant has lived this long with no drainage hole. You said it has rocks covering the top, are they glued together? If so that was for shipping purposes and those should be removed to allow the roots to breath and better access to the soil. You can tae a screwdriver and gently pry them off. If you like the look you can get a bag of river rock at most craft stores and replace them with those. Your plant will be happier. If you are truly interested in bonsai I would encourage you to get some boos at the library on the subject and see if there is a bonsai club in your area that you could join. Good luck.

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Darlene for the quick response.  One more question - should I transplant it into a pot with drainage holes?
I'm not really interested in bonsai, as I still have so much to learn about gardening.  If you suggest repotting,
should I just go one size up?
Thanks again

Answer
Betty,

Yes, I would repot it into a pot with drainage holes. I would either go to a pot just one size larger or even the same size. You might even be able to find someone to drill drain holes in the pot it is in now. When you repot it you can cover the drain holes with pieces of panty hose and for soil I would reccomend that you use cactus soil or a  mix of regular potting soil and sand half and half. Good luck.

Darlene