Ponytail Palm - Extra Long Leaves, Normal?
C Duff
8 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (60)
Photo Synthesis
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoLaurie (8A)
7 years agoRelated Discussions
a few ?'s on my first bonsai... a ponytail palm
Comments (7)Hi Porshfan, I also love Ponytail Palms and I recently bought one (a few months ago). I had one before, and I really loved it, but it was killed when I had someone else care for it while I was away. I still had the bonsai pot it was in, and I really liked the way it looked, so I wanted to buy the same sized tree and put it in the bonsai pot. Now, please note that I am NOT an expert on plants, and I know nothing of bonsai. I'm just speaking of MY experience and just giving you my opinion. I trimmed the roots of my ponytail just like you did (a little trim, about 1/3rd of the roots)....I did this mainly so that it would fit in the bonsai pot (I initially bought the plant in a pot similar to yours). The root trimming did no harm to it, and I plan on trimming more this summer. I also gave mine a very similar haircut. Why? Because I wanted to! I didn't like the "stragly" long leaves, so I cut them. I don't think you did anything wrong by giving it a haircut. If I saw a plant in a store that I've been wanting or that I liked, but wanted to "fix it up" a little, I would still buy it. Some of my tips get brown, but I don't mind...I just trim the brown tips. Just make sure you don't trim ALL the brown off...leave a tiny bit because if you don't the brown will grow back. But I must say, I'm not sure if cutting the "leaves" makes them turn brown (but again, I'm no expert)...the reason I say this is that all my spider plants have brown tips and I haven't EVER cut them, nor do I do other things that would make tips turn brown (overwater, underwater, use tap water). I'm sure you also realized that cutting the "leaves" will make the edges blunt instead of pointy, but to me that looks a lot better than long unruly leaves. In terms of humidity, I have mine on a humidity tray, and I mist it also (misting does no harm...it may be a waste of time, but I like to do it - however, that alone won't add any real humidity). I have 3 "shoots" on mine. Chopping the trunk causes these offshoots to develop. I'm not sure why yours has 5 and mine has 3 and others have 2. But if you like it, keep it. If you don't like all 5, that's another story. I don't know what kind of growth it would force if you cut any of them off. I personally like the way your 5 offshoots look, but it's your plant! Anyway, best of luck with your plant. Here's some pics of mine...it's pretty similar to yours....See MorePonytail Palm center leaves broken....
Comments (8)Amccour, there's a Red Pony Tail called, 'Red Beaucarnea Recurvata' sold at Trio Nursery. I bought a PT from Trio, I think in 2000. The info on his site says: 'This is a selected cultivar from the common green form.' I have 3 PT's...all were in the same, south window, summer outdoors, yet the Red PT's center has light red, dark pink hue, the other two don't. (in summer.) We don't get enough sun to make a difference in winter. If you get a chance, take a peek at Tion nursery, type in pony tail in the Seach box..It's beautiful..wish mine was as red.. SpOng, a picture would help. It's not normal for new growth to break. One reason would be rot. Is the bulb firm? Soft? Since your PT is kept outdoors, it's possible wildlife is chewing away, but that's a long shot. Like I said, a pic would help. Toni PS. How's your PT doing now? Almost a month after you started this thread....See MorePonytail Palm brown leaves
Comments (22)Kate - I think it's the right choice to leave the brown ends and roots until spring. Just discard the completely dry leaves to keep the plant tidy and let the drying ones take care of themselves. It's riskier to repot now and while the palm isn't in optimal health there doesn't seem any danger of it dying. Lots of time left in winter to research root pruning, getting the right tools, and maybe even considering a better mix. In spring you will probably need sturdy chopsticks (I like metal ones), pruners (sharp, double bladed kind), hose sprayer, and a helping hand to do the job. There is a great deal of helpful threads in the Houzz/Gardenweb Container Forum about this topic. Lots of people in this forum frequent that one too and are very experienced growers. =)...See MorePonytail palm leaves breaking
Comments (2)I think I was reading that thread earlier today but didn't see if they ended up solving their issue. This one lives right up against a bank of sunny south windows already, so hopefully the new supplemental light will help then if I can figure out how to use it without frying it....See MorePhoto Synthesis
7 years agoalpphy
7 years agoPhoto Synthesis
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agotheparsley
7 years agoalpphy
7 years agoalpphy
7 years agoThe Ficus Wrangler
7 years agoalpphy
7 years agoThe Ficus Wrangler
7 years agoalpphy
7 years agoPhoto Synthesis
7 years agodinamc1
7 years agoalpphy
7 years agotheparsley
7 years agotheparsley
7 years agodinamc1
7 years agodinamc1
7 years agodinamc1
7 years agoPhoto Synthesis
7 years agodinamc1
7 years agodinamc1
7 years agodinamc1
7 years agoUser
7 years agoravenmoon91419
7 years agoUser
7 years agoThe Ficus Wrangler
7 years agodinamc1
7 years agoThe Ficus Wrangler
7 years agodinamc1
7 years agoravenmoon91419
7 years agoThe Ficus Wrangler
7 years agoalpphy
7 years agoThe Ficus Wrangler
7 years agoZerma Davis
3 years agoZerma Davis
3 years agoMaria Chanda Q
last yearC Duff
last yearMaria Chanda Q
last yearC Duff
last yearMaria Chanda Q
last yearTiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
last yearC Duff
last yearMaria Chanda Q
last yearC Duff
last yearC Duff
last yearTiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
last year
Related Stories
HOUSEPLANTSGot Bright Light but Lack Spare Time? Try Ponytail Palm
This low-maintenance houseplant has an exotic look and a drought-tolerant nature. Just give it lots of sun
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSE9 Tips for Living a (Semi-)Normal Life While Your Home Is Being Shown
Preparation, routine and treats help you make the house you’re selling presentable at a moment’s notice
Full StoryKITCHEN ISLANDSWhat to Consider With an Extra-Long Kitchen Island
More prep, seating and storage space? Check. But you’ll need to factor in traffic flow, seams and more when designing a long island
Full StoryTREESGreat Design Plant: Sabal Palm Enchants in Balmy Sites
Towering and tolerant, this tree blends in, stands out and happily stars in vacation photos
Full StoryMIDCENTURY HOMESHouzz Tour: Pools and Martinis Inspire a Palm Springs Remodel
Weighed down by black-heavy ’80s style, a California desert home gets a fun and lighthearted look just right for its midcentury roots
Full StoryHOUSEPLANTSMeet a Palm That's Fine With Fluorescent Light
Get the look of the tropics without the full-on sun and high humidity — parlor palm tolerates regular indoor conditions with aplomb
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESPalm Trees Take Interiors on a Tropical Vacation
Conjure a sultry vibe or bring welcome life to modern rooms. Whatever your interior design style, palm trees are the ticket to enhancing it
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNCelebrate a Sunny Climate With the Right Leafy Palm for Your Site
So you get freezes or floods. So your garden is small. These palms send excuses riding off into the tropical sunset
Full StoryEVENTSModernism Week 2015 Opens in Palm Springs
The city’s 10th annual festival celebrates midcentury architecture and design. Here’s a look at what’s on view
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: A Seattle Remodel Channels Palm Springs
Indoor and outdoor living merge atypically in this Pacific Northwest home, thanks to California-style updates
Full Story
Maria Chanda Q