I was told you it is a trick of commerical growers to advance the growth of the bulb of the ponytail palm by cutting the leaves off, and hence directing energy towards the roots. any one have any thoughts on this? first, you need leaves for photosynthesis for energy, so wouldn't want to do too much. Second, iof you removed all the leaves, the plant might direct it's energy not towards the roots, but towards making new leaves. how do new leaves grow back? thanks for your thoughts all, me
I'm with you, that information just doesn't sound right. I have read that you should never top-trim them or any other palm tho so I wouldn't think cutting all the leaves off would be a good idea. When I lived in south Florida a friend who had several pony-tail palms told me that developing a larger bulb is a done by putting it in larger pots, so if you want to keep it a houseplant you keep it in smaller pots.
My Ponytail palm suffered major damage this past winter. I was tempted to just toss it out but a friend's Mom told me to cut off all the dead leaves and just let it be. It came back with a vengeance! There's at least 8 new "starts" that popped out of what looks like the dead trunk. Now I'm wondering if I should cut back the trunk? I'll try to remember to get a photo so you can see what I'm talking about.
Thanks Cherylad! I would strongly suspect not to cut back the stem... How much of the leaves did you cut off? right right back, into where emerges from stem or just v close?. Yes, would be very interested to see your pics, thanks! some interesting reading on monocots- http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/ ... urvata.php (Whenever I read your name, I see a cheery lad with big rounded rosy red cherries for cheeks. It is indeed a cheering image. i have no idea how it reflects on the reality- pls take as a compliment. )
Brombear... yes... I cut them totally off at the trunk so there was nothing else there. In these pictures, from April, you can see it clearly (note: this is the tub it has been in for a couple of years). I had just put some flowers in there to "pretty it up". http://www.gardenstew.com/plantstew/gar ... er_id=6361 And this was the first sign of new growth (right at the base of the "foot"). http://www.gardenstew.com/plantstew/gar ... er_id=6361 Since then, about 7 more "starts" have popped up from the base. And some I think maybe from the roots. I tried transplanting one of them but it didn't take. I'll get photos over the weekend of how it looks now. I'll definitely take a look at the link you supplied. And oh yeah... I like your "cheery" comment. :-D
Brombear... As promised, here's photos of how my ponytail is growing now. There's at least 7 "starts" down in there. Ponytail Palm(s) ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) And here's a closer look at the "trunk". I believe it's dead because it's getting soft and mushy. Should I leave it or cut it back? Ponytail trunk ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )
Oh my goodness, that 2nd link is amazing -- the one showing the tiny little start coming up from the base of the trunk. It is so exciting to me when I see a plant gather up its energy and carry on despite hardship! I think it makes them stronger sometimes. It is my favorite life lesson that I get from gardening -- never give up! Great pictures Cherylad. Thanks!
Thanks Daisy! I, too, was thrilled when I saw that new start. I thought it would take years to get back to where it was before the damage. But it's one hardy plant! I'm going to keep trying to get one of the 'babies' started on it's own.
thanks Cherylad! good photos- very useful. i keep photos like of this of all my plants progress to make a record to fill in big picture of plant habits. Maybe this is how they propagate them commercially- by forcing off shoots? but yes, it sure looks very happy! Maybe to get one to transplant well, try digging down to main woody root, and where the pup is emerging from parent plant, try making a nick in the root mass nearest to the pup. Might not hurt to dab on a bit of rooting hormone..? Cover up with dirt again and check a few months later to see if local roots have sprouted, and this whole section, new roots, pup, and part of woody parent root, can be cleanly cut off. if proving a bit tricky, I'd try something like this. Of course, spring the best time- prob late as you're in northern hemisphere and don't want to rot it. and yes they are tough- think of their native environment. That swollen bulb is for water storage for hard times. I wouldn't feed them with heavily Ntriogenous fertilisers, but give a bit of compost in a well draining mix and throw some rock dust or trace elements in. keep us posted
Thanks Brombear... I'll definitely give it a try this spring. The trunk is getting softer and softer. Shall I just leave it alone or go ahead and cut it off this Spring?
