Variegated cycad?

[spike]

Sago palm found at my local walmart. The "variegated" leaves look to have a color that is consistent with variegation. What throws me off is that there is no "mixed" coloration, which one leaf has both variegated and green areas. Every leaf is either fully green or yellow. Also, the variegated leaves look really sickly, so I'm not sure if it is a disease or actual variegation. If anyone who has experience with cycads can look at this, it would be awesome.

 

[xpeditions]

unfortunately, looks like an unhealthy plant with nutrient deficiency 

[Scott W]

I'd have to agree with @xpeditions, looks like poor conditions and neglect while in the landscape section of WalMart have led to poor health for your sago.

[Palmarum]

Hmm...

I have found Sago's with similar looking blotched type variegation before in box stores, but I am not positive without looking at this one in person. As you mentioned, I would want to see the same dark green leaflets (like those on the other leaves) mixed in with the lighter color and I don't see any. I can't tell for sure, but I would also want to see the suspect leaves with healthy rachises, with the same color seen throughout the crown. The timing with two leaves with that same discoloration leans a lot towards neglect, with possible damage to the caudex.

How the leaves feel to the touch is also an indicator. The leaflets should have the same thickness and leathery feel as regular ones. I would also get in there and use the nose for any weird smells. I have seen similar damaged plants and when I went in for a closer look, detected a massive amount of top dressing fertilizer (like an inch thick) that was just under the top soil; burning the plant. The necrosis of the lighter leaf sections is not always a negative sign, but in this case it might be. I have found actual variegated plants where the lighter-colored leaf sections had been trimmed out and cut (as if to hide the discoloration) leaving behind frayed, necrotic edges.

I would have needed a closer look to make a decision. More like a gamble. It might seem odd to the cashier, but I would have used the plants current look as a reason to ask for a discount if I decided to get it. This is easier to do when it is the last plant in the block. More so when it's sitting in the discount rack for a $1 (seen this many times).

Ryan

[Tracy]

13 hours ago, xpeditions said:

looks like an unhealthy plant with nutrient deficiency

11 hours ago, Scott W said:

looks like poor conditions and neglect while in the landscape section of WalMart have led to poor health

15 hours ago, spike said:

Sago palm found at my local walmart.

 

I concur with the previous posts above, this is an example of an unhealthy flush.  Leaftips are brown and twisted in your lose up, and the rachis in the first shot show that these two leaves are twisted in an abnormal fashion for a healthy Cycas revoluta flush.  I would pick a healthier specimen if you want a Cycas revoluta or if the only attraction was the thought that it might be variegated, I wouldn't waste the money on this.

[spike]

17 hours ago, xpeditions said:

unfortunately, looks like an unhealthy plant with nutrient deficiency 

 

14 hours ago, Scott W said:

I'd have to agree with @xpeditions, looks like poor conditions and neglect while in the landscape section of WalMart have led to poor health for your sago.

 

11 hours ago, Palmarum said:

Hmm...

I have found Sago's with similar looking blotched type variegation before in box stores, but I am not positive without looking at this one in person. As you mentioned, I would want to see the same dark green leaflets (like those on the other leaves) mixed in with the lighter color and I don't see any. I can't tell for sure, but I would also want to see the suspect leaves with healthy rachises, with the same color seen throughout the crown. The timing with two leaves with that same discoloration leans a lot towards neglect, with possible damage to the caudex.

How the leaves feel to the touch is also an indicator. The leaflets should have the same thickness and leathery feel as regular ones. I would also get in there and use the nose for any weird smells. I have seen similar damaged plants and when I went in for a closer look, detected a massive amount of top dressing fertilizer (like an inch thick) that was just under the top soil; burning the plant. The necrosis of the lighter leaf sections is not always a negative sign, but in this case it might be. I have found actual variegated plants where the lighter-colored leaf sections had been trimmed out and cut (as if to hide the discoloration) leaving behind frayed, necrotic edges.

I would have needed a closer look to make a decision. More like a gamble. It might seem odd to the cashier, but I would have used the plants current look as a reason to ask for a discount if I decided to get it. This is easier to do when it is the last plant in the block. More so when it's sitting in the discount rack for a $1 (seen this many times).

Ryan

 

3 hours ago, Tracy said:

I concur with the previous posts above, this is an example of an unhealthy flush.  Leaftips are brown and twisted in your lose up, and the rachis in the first shot show that these two leaves are twisted in an abnormal fashion for a healthy Cycas revoluta flush.  I would pick a healthier specimen if you want a Cycas revoluta or if the only attraction was the thought that it might be variegated, I wouldn't waste the money on this.

That was what I was worrying about. I didn't end up buying it. Thanks everyone for the advice!