Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I transplanted a mature Sago about 4' tall last august and the fronds were deep green.  I dug the hole 2x as big as the root ball and had fertilizer in there.  I never added B-1, but added lots of top soil.  After this winter the leaves are turning yellow.  What could it be?  Too much water? Not enough nutrients? What do you think?

ANSWER: Hi Jeff, You made two critical mistakes, you added fertilizer to the hole and you augmented the soil; the roots need to adapt to the existing soil base and not be spoiled with added "rich" soil. What happens is the roots will not break out of the soil you added, and begin an unnatural, circular growth pattern. This could or could not be the problem, but it certainly isn't helping; yellowing fronds can have numerous causes, scale insect infestation, too much water on the roots or a weak root system. The winter may also have had a profound effect on it; because its a small palm, I would lift it and replant it in a different location, but this time no augmentation of the soil. Nick

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

QUESTION: What do you think of digging out the dirt around the root ball and replacing the
fertilizer with original soil + palm soil that's good for draining water? I don't
know if I can lift it again, it was took 4 men.

Answer
...again, I can only help from behind this computer, (without actually seeing it..) but if you can replace the original soil, that would help; check the fronds for scale insects also (we have a bad problem with them here in Florida..)and treat if necessary with a Horticultural Oil. The only other cause would be a cold winter may have had an effect on it, and if so, time will tell whether it develops new, healthy fronds. Nick