Random questions about Ponytail Palm!

14 years ago

Hello all!

This is my first visit to this site and forum, and I am so glad that it exists! I am relatively new to gardening, and just acquuired a 7-8 foot-tall ponytail palm (aka: Nolina recurvata). My mom actually bought this when she was in college about 35 years ago. It is a really cool plant, but is kind of crazy. It has 5 or 6 different heads, and leaves from the top to the floor. I will try to upload a picture if I can ever figure it out (any help there would also be great)!

My questions are as follows:

1 - Does cutting the heads off hurt the plant?

2 - Can I cut off two of the newer heads and re-pot them to make them grow?

3 - How do I get it to bascially stop growing? It took everything my husband and I had to get it into the house after moving it. I have read in other posts something about trimming the roots. Does this stall growth?

4 - One little (5 inches or so) segment of one branch is kind of soft and wrinkly. Can this be remedied? Also, the leaves on this branch are still green, but they are a little lighter colored than the rest of the plant.

I would appreciate any help I can get on this! Also, seriously, if someone could help me with posting a picture, I can show you what I am talking about... this thing is huge!

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Comments (4)

xerophyte NYC
14 years ago
Hey there, welcome to the forum. I hope it becomes beneficial to you. I will give you a few brief responses to your questions and others will add there wisdom as well...

1. No. But the open wound is a potential source of infection to the plant, and the scar is not attractive. Make a clean, sharp cut and let the area remain dry for 7-10 days while it forms a callous.

2. I don't have any experience rooting these so I can't give you an answer.

3. Trimming the roots and growing the plant in a pot where the roots are constricted will slow down growth but it won't stop it completely. Minimal watering and fertilizer will also prevent unwanted growth. If possible keep the plant cool and dry during the wintertime which is a normal period of dormancy and non-growth.

4. I don't know about the "soft and wrinkly" part, but new leaves are typically light colored. As they mature and harden, they will darken as long as the light is adequate.

Good luck!

x
norma_2006
14 years ago
I have one 45-50 years old in the ground, it's ok for them to have several heads, those will turn into branches. This plant will drop leaves every year so don't freak out when it does. Be very frugal with the water or it will grow to 15+ feet around and perhaps rot if in the ground. Mine has never been cut, and has a beautiful pattern on the eperdermis. They do flower, mine is a male plant and the flowers are white. Norma
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cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
14 years ago
I have seen Norma's and it has its own zip code, it's so big.

I can't add anything to what X and Norma have said, but I have seen them completely beheaded (in order for them to grow several more heads) but this was done in early spring (the beginning of the growth season).

It's also known as Beaucarnea recurvata, because, as you know, every good succulent has at least two names.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bountiful Beaucarnea
toryk
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you everyone for your responses! Sounds like so far I am doing everything right.

I went to Lowes yesterday and spoke with the garden expert there, and she gave me some steps to replant a head. Like X said, I made a very sharp cut on a tiny little head near the trunk. Then, I removed several of the lower leaves on the head in order for it to be able to stick in the ground. I dipped it in rooting hormone, and planted it in a 4" clay pot with Miracle Grow Seed Starter soil. The garden person said to make a pencil hole in the soil before planting the head in order to keep the hormone powder in tact on the base. After sticking it in the hole, I gently pushed the soil around it to secure it in place. She also said that unlike mature plants, these little guys need plenty of water in order to grow roots and avoid root rot. I'll keep you posted on the progress of Gordito (Gordo is the name of the big ponytail b/c of the size of its foot)! :)

Also, on the lighter colored leaves: The leaves that I am talking about are on the lower level of this branch. I am slightly afraid that it is not getting enough sun. How much full sun does it need per day? As of right now, it gets around 3 hours a day. I live in Kentucky, and my house is completely shaded by two huge maple trees. I have it sitting in front of a window that gets the most sun. Should I move it outside for the summer? He would get more sun on my front porch. However, how much sun do they need in the winter. Being cool and dry won't be a problem, but I'm worried about the sun issue.

Thanks again guys! Sorry for my inexperience!