Best time to prune sagos?

[TropicsEnjoyer]

I’m wondering if there’s a best time to prune the previous flush’s set of fronds in order to encourage a new flush on my sago palm (Cycas). I’ve heard that it’s helpful to trim the older set of leaves below the most recent flush to quicken the emergence of a new flush. So assuming this is true when is the ideal season or does it really not matter? And that being said, is there any time to avoid doing this?

[happypalms]

There’s not really a time to prune sagos. If I was to prune them I would do it after the new flush. If you’re trying to get a new flush then the end of spring I guess would be ideal. Leaves are factory for photosynthesis so the plant needs there leaves to sustain healthy vigorous growth. But if you feel you need to prune for visual affect then prune away. I choose not to prune my cycads just letting them be. 

[Merlyn]

I'm with @happypalms on this, I generally only cut sago fronds when the older flushes are looking ratty or getting in the way.  Usually when the fronds start going below horizontal they'll start browning out or getting yellow magnesium-deficiency leaflet tips.  That's my sign to cut the last flush and add fertilizer.  Some people cut all the fronds off to "force" a new flush, but that isn't needed in most cases...and especially not in Central Florida.  More green leaves = more photosynthesis = more food = faster growth rate = bigger flushes.  Cutting off old leaves in good condition = less photosynthesis = less food = slower growth rate = smaller flushes with shorter leaves.  They tend to flush on a schedule here in FL, usually the first one is in mid April.

One thing that you could do to help your Revoluta is to give them a handful of Manganese Sulfate in March or early April.  That'll help avoid "frizzle top" on the upcoming flush.  I give mine a little extra manganese in spring and summer.

[TropicsEnjoyer]

@happypalms and @Merlyn thanks both. I’ll just leave the fronds then because there’s no reason to cut them. And as for your suggestion of dosing manganese, I already do that. I had to buy manganese to save a sago that someone was gonna throw away because it was all frizzled and brown. Now it’s happy and healthy, in my garden, after a bit of patience and temporarily being frondless 😅. So, I’ll continue to have patience. 

[SeanK]

Cycads only need pruning of dead leaves. There are tricks to getting multiple flushes. I recommend you contact CFPACS as there are cycad experts in the group.