I'm thinking there's nothing wrong with it. It looks as if it is about to flush. The fronds will naturally "bow down" for the new flush although that is pretty extreme. Maybe it's due to the size of the plant? Also, I've never seen a sago flower before, but I've seen them in flower and the fronds bend down like that as well.

I think your ok. the palm is very healthy. So dont worry about anything.

I think your ok. the palm is very healthy. So dont worry about anything.

{{!gwi}}

Thank you everyone!! Your messages are reassuring, so I will wait for a little while before taking any drastic action like removing from its pot to investigate roots.

I've seen them flush a bunch of times in the 4 years but the fronds have never dropped like this. However, I don't recall cones or flowers so perhaps I'm in for a treat! Anyone know if it's normal for the fronds to be very flexible at the base during this stage? I can take one and raise it up and down through a wide range of motion...

Yes its ok, just let it do its thing. Dont take out of pot.

Hi all. About 3 weeks have passed and my palm seems to be increasingly yellow compared to the one next to it. It's definitely draining well so I don't think that's the problem. New pics attached. I'm thinking it's time to remove it from the pot and do some root inspection / repair? Opinions / advice would be most welcome!

Another pic for comparison.

The new exposure position of the leaves has likely put them in more direct sun exposure, causing the yellowing.... or perhaps they leaves are getting old and going to die now, making room for new leaves to replace them. Not necessarily a sign of anything wrong, though.

Looks like you might get a flush soon.

Just as a wrapup...I unpotted and placed into the ground. The roots were for the most part healthy but all VERY moist - and definitely root bound. I honestly think I may have temporarily drowned it leading to this behavior. Going to leave it in the ground for a while to see what happens and will post what I learn. But at this point I'm pretty sure what's happening with the fronds isn't normal.

Is it OK to prune the fronds completely and wait for new growth? (Will give it some weeks before I do that...just curious).

if healthy, it is rarely a problem to hack off all the leaves on one of these... though sometimes, if you do it before a flush, you can end up with a naked trunk for a while (I transplanted one that took over a year to flush... but was fine once it did).

I have never had good luck trimming leaves before the new flush. It makes the plant susceptible to bugs and disease. I'd wait for the new flush. I agree with you that the reason for the yellowing was probably being rootbound. It will be much happier in the ground.

Here is a link that might be useful: Virginia Beach Weather

It's not unusual for Cycas species to drop all their fronds and then flush with a new lot. Mine (C. revoluta) is doing that now with the new flush happening before all the old fronds have fallen, although they're yellow/brown. The C. revoluta don't seem so regular in the way they do it. My Cycas armstrongii and xipholepis are more regular and are also getting their new flushes now. Just make sure you're getting good drainage and all should be well.

How tall can Sagos grow? I've done some research and I couldn't find this info.
TIA.

I've seen some ol' timers Revoluta 15ft but they can probably get a bit bigger.

They can definitely get in the 15-20 foot range. Other similar looking cycads can look almost like date palms when they are older because of how large they get, but they take a lot of years to get to those heights. I've seen 20 year old specimens only about 6-8 feet tall, they make pups so if it ever does get too big you can cut the mother plant down, or dig it up and replant one of the pups in the spot.
-Alex

Wow, they can grow quite big, comparing to how small they start and how slow they grow. Thanks for the details. Any pictures of such old/big Sagos?

Kim- my 10 year old sago is doing exactly this. Its twin that is 6 feet away is fine. They both have already flushed with new growth and now one is looking exactly like yours did in 2012. What happened to yours? did it recover? What did you do to make it recover? Thanksm

I have the same problem with my sago palm -- our house is under construction -- I put th palm in an area where it gets northern light and under a large tree. It is in a very large pot -- and has been for the last 5 years or so. It has never drooped like this before -- ever. Does my palm have root rot? It is difficult to plant it in the ground as the entire property is torn up for construction and landscaping. I grew this palm from a baby -- it is about 15 years old.

Suggestions, anyone? Does it need B-12 and fresh soil? I watered copiously today -- I hope I didn't drown it...

I have had my containerized cycads do this, over winter, when they overwintered in my garage and I neglected watering. Once I watered, the leaves perked up and reverted to normal within a couple of days. However, if you read the above posters, leaves may also look like this if they are about to produce cones, so I am not entirely sure. When mine flush, the leaves don't droop but my Sagos have not produced cones yet.

Where are you btw, that matters too! We also have no idea about the size of the pot.