Help, my Beaucarnia may be dying!

14 years ago

Hi,

I have had two beaucarnia plants for at least 20 years. They were only about 5 inches tall when I bought them; now one is tall and the other developed a twisting, bent trunk with numerous sprouts along the trunk. The second one has looked poorly for a while and yesterday I sat down to trim off dead leaf ends and examine the plant.

The leaves that did not dry up and turn brown are very pale green and weak looking. As I trimmed off the dead leaves, most of the other leaves just came off in my hand. Of about 9 crowns, only two remain and they don't really look very good.

The trunk was soft at the tip for about 5 inches, which I cut off. The rest of the trunk and the base seem pretty firm.

I am hoping that it will resprout along the trunk. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I did not see any signs of insects or diseases, so am guessing it got overwatered. Should I hold off watering until I see signs of new growth?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Elsie

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Comments (7)

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
14 years ago
Elsie,

I've only had the one, and I put it in the ground when it was but a wee stick, so pot culture (the Beaucarnia kind) is something I'll guess on....

Yes, it sounds like it was overwatered, particularly since you noted that it all seems sound, now that you had removed the bad portions. In this case, I'd water it slightly when the soil is dry, but you could also, before you water, take a look at the roots.

If there's lots of warmth, sun, correct water and adequate growing room/medium this plant will grow even in the lean months (October-April) - it just won't grow as fast. Leaving one of those listed criteria out will result in an unhappy plant.

In the Spring, behead your plant and ensure that the tip's kept dry - you should get at least one new, but likely multiple, new heads. They will sometimes sprout along the side of the trunk but IME it's at the top that you find the new growth.
kaktuskris
14 years ago
I had the same thing happen to my Ponytail Palm after having it for at least 15 years. I think you should check the roots on your plant if you haven't already. On my plant, the roots had rotted, and then I didn't water for several weeks and some new ones started to grow back. I then watered it thinking this would stimulate further root production, but then the leaves came off in my hand like yours. I cut the top off, but it shrivelled, then the caudex developed a soft spot and that was the end of my Beaucarnea recurvata! I had the plant longer than my wife, so it was a great loss. Hope yours pulls through.

Christopher
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bamboo_turtles
14 years ago
Elsie , the best thing for you is to NOT give up on the plant . Dig out the rot , let it dry for a couple of weeks before planting it in cactus mix soil . Once you plant it in soil , I wouldn't water it for quiet a few months . Some of the best looking plants have really crazy scares , dents , etc on them . Not to mention many have won 1rst and 2nd place ribbons at the plant shows . :)
elsier
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks everyone for your suggestions and encouragement about my cherished plant.
I will try to check the roots to see if there is any further rot and keep an eye on it.

Thanks again,
Elsie
norma_2006
14 years ago
Elsie, don't ever give up on a plant, it's not dead until it is dead 3 years. If your plant doesn't come back by June, I will send you my very small one, which is my extra baby. I can't send out of country, it is now called Nolina to my surprise. Norma
blutarski
14 years ago
i have zero luck with these plants. i either overwater, or they get overrun with mealy bugs.

my mom, on the other hand, does a great job with them.
elsier
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for your kind offer of a plant, Norma. I do have other Beaucarnia plants, but it would really make me sad to lose this one after twenty-plus years.

Maybe you could give it to Blutarski so he can try again.

Elsie

Help, my Beaucarnia may be dying!

Comments (7)

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5

kaktuskris

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Help, my Beaucarnia may be dying!

Comments (7)

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5

kaktuskris

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