Okay, so yesterday I finally got around to tackling the sago palm in my front yard. It was looking pretty wild, to be honest, all overgrown and messy. I knew it needed a good pruning, so I figured I’d document the whole thing.
Getting Started
First things first, I needed to gather my tools. I’m no expert, but I’ve learned a few things from past gardening adventures (and misadventures!). Here’s what I grabbed:
- Gloves: Sago palms are prickly, You don’t want to skip these.
- Loppers: For the thicker, older fronds.
- Hand pruners: For the smaller, newer growth.
- Safety glasses: Gotta protect the eyes.
- A bin: I filled it with water to store the cut off.
The Pruning Process
I started by inspecting the sago palm. I have this one for years. I wanted to get a good sense of which fronds were dead or dying, and which ones were healthy. The dead ones are usually brown and brittle, while the healthy ones are a nice, deep green.
I have also prepared a bin filled it with water so that i have somewhere to store the cut off.
I put on my gloves and safety glasses, and then I got to work.I cut off the fronds and soak it in the water to keep it last longer.
Using the loppers, I started with the lower fronds, the ones closest to the ground. I cut them as close to the trunk as I could, making sure to make clean cuts. It’s always a little sad to see those big fronds go, but it’s necessary for the plant’s health.
Then, I moved on to the higher fronds, using the hand pruners for the smaller ones. I worked my way around the plant, trying to create a nice, even shape. I didn’t want it to look lopsided!
The main idea is to remove any fronds that are yellowing, browning, or damaged. You also want to remove any that are growing inwards, towards the center of the plant. Those can crowd the new growth and block sunlight.
Cleaning Up
Once I was done pruning, I had a pretty big pile of fronds. I gathered them all up. The worst part. I have to use a big plastic and carry it all the way to the trash bin at the back.
I also took a few minutes to rake up any loose leaves or debris around the base of the plant.
The Finished Product
Finally, I took a step back to admire my handiwork. The sago palm looked so much better! It was cleaner, healthier, and just generally more aesthetically pleasing.
It took a bit of work, but it was definitely worth it. Now I can enjoy my freshly pruned sago palm for months to come, and I can say I did it all by my self!
