Herself's Houseplants

Sago palms make excellent house plants. Who can’t help but love a plant that survived the dinosaurs and continues to thrive today? It is not really a palm but is a cycad. And it is extremely easy to grow indoors or out.

The two pictures above are of two sagos planted outdoors 10 years ago, one in full sun, one in shade. While both survived the one in the sun is quite a bit larger. Sagos are slow growing plants so if you want your sago to grow fast put in a very sunny window. If you don’t mind it just hanging out, it is great for a less sunny location. Because they are such slow growers they are good plants for dish gardens.

Water it when it is dry, it’ll forgive you if you occasionally forget to water it, not if you over water it.

Fertilize regularly to speed up growing, a couple of times a year otherwise.

If your sago has several layers of leaves then removing the bottom third will force it to put out new flushes at the top. This plant tries very hard to keep leaves and roots balanced. So removing leaves gives it a strong desire to make more. Also re-pot it up if you gain more leaves to give the roots room to expand. Normally it will put out one new set ( flush ) of leaves per year.

Watch for scale, it seems to like these plants.

It minds neither cold nor heat, temperature is not a concern for this plant.

Yellow edges all down the row of leaves is a sign of salt damage. Let the water run through the pot and out the bottom each watering. It may also mean you need to repot in fresh soil.

Both the seeds and the leaves of sago are quite toxic.  Be cautious when handling them.

( wild orchids we spotted along a trail in Oahu, Hawaii )

On the mainland you can go to Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park: Open daily, 8 a.m. until sundown. Free admission. The park is about a two-hour drive west of Miami and is located just west of Copeland on State Route 29.

Swamp walks: Offered on the first, second and third Saturdays of the month from November through April, depending on water levels. Adults, $40; children under 12, $15. Groups are usually limited to 12 persons. Tours meet in front of the park office at 9:45 a.m. Details at (239) 695-2860.

Tips: Swamp walks last about four hours. Wear sturdy walking shoes and long pants, and prepare to walk through knee-high water or deeper. Though the walks are held in Florida’s cooler dry season, prepare for sun, humid conditions and insect bites. Carry bottled water and snacks and any valuables, including cameras, in plastic bags to protect them if they’re dropped into the water. ” [ read more CNN - Florida swamp walks reveal wild orchids ]

Remember: “Leave only footprints, take only photos”