This isn't my cycad. It's actually at a fast food restaurant. But I see this happen pretty often, and want to know in case I need to correct the issue if it crops up on one of my plants. It's always the new flush that goes bad, it seems like. You can see how the plant on the right is unaffected.

YIKES!

That is a severe manganese deficiency!

Fast food restaurant? I've seen many times...somebody barfed on it.

It almost looks like it burned while it was mid flush. 

Very odd that the older flush still holds great color but the new flush is severly burned. 

• Gastric acids from the stomach will do it every time.

As distasteful as this is I'd sure like to know if anyone else has a comment about this being possible vomit damage. I know we all like to think the affliction is due to one of the various exotic maladies that can afflict a palm or cycad but sometimes the most obvious (and at times corny) answer is one we wish NOT to see. I highly doubt that this is a deficiency of any kind.

That looks like the worst manganese problem I have ever seen, but then, the bottom is perfect. For something to look this bad, the last flush would usually show some sort of browning. Now it is possible if that is on the west side and so close to a white wall, that flush could have formed during a hot, dry spell. It can get 125f that close to a wall like that.  Lastly, chemical damage, sure, a new flush that is forming and gets his with all types of chemicals could burn it. For what its worth, with all that concrete around, the soil is more likely to become alkaline which would promote the manganese deficiency.

On 7/30/2016, 4:18:14, Gonzer said:

As distasteful as this is I'd sure like to know if anyone else has a comment about this being possible vomit damage. I know we all like to think the affliction is due to one of the various exotic maladies that can afflict a palm or cycad but sometimes the most obvious (and at times corny) answer is one we wish NOT to see. I highly doubt that this is a deficiency of any kind.

I agree, your theory holds up for me. Whether it was vomit, grease, or who  knows what that landed on the new flush it is such a drastic change that it can't be a nutrient issue.  It'd be nice to have a pic when it flushes next.