Hello there, you may find more help for your tree in the regular house plant forums. Ponytail palms are not true bonsai just because they appear to be a large tree in a small pot. I don't have any experience under my belt, however I recently purchased 7 of these - saving them from a "Big Lots" store in Florida. I have done some research and would like to say first.... lay off the watering. These trees store water in their bulbish trunks and some can go a year without receiving water (I imagine based on the size of the bulb). The yellowing of the leaves could be due to improper soil, air pockets, lack of sunlight or possibly over-watering. They really don't need much fertilizer, read up on this before attempting to fertilize, I do know they should receive liquid fertilizer and a very weak solution only every 3 months or so from what I have read about them so far. Again, try the houseplant forums as that is where I will be going for more information. Good Luck.

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.

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!

I wouldn't worry about it being that hard to do a coup de grace. Beaucarnea are not like Yucca's elephantipes. You might get little sprouts from the Beaucarnea...but I'm sure you can keep up with it. I wish I was giving you advice about re routing pipes or even carving a hole in the tree's largest roots for the pipes. Shame to hear what sounds like an old plant cut down.