I have a ponytail palm tree that is about 20 years old. It was abandoned in a house for two years, was shriveled and dry, and surprisingly it bounced back. That was 12 years ago, but this winter the plant started to to grow some sort of fungus on the rot ball, and as soon as I think I have it under control the trunk starts sprouting shoots all over it. It has never sprouted anything, and now I'm counting about 50. What is it doing? This is an indoor plant. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
It sounds like your plant is producing 'pups'.
These can be removed and propagated into new plants.
Here are some links to help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/propagating-ponytail-palm-pups.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/pruning-ponytail-palms.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/how-to-move-ponytail-palms.htm
I have been the proud caretaker of an Elephant Foot tree for over 40 years. It has always been indoors and I have transplanted it 4 times. The problem is that the stalk (about 3 feet) has become top heavy with leaves and has bent over. What can I do? I know pruning is not advised and it has never flowered nor had pups. I've attached a pic.
think the only option is to stake it to provide additional support.
For more information on elephant foot trees, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-care.htm
I bought my plant from Home Depot. The top of the pot was sealed with small rocks. How does the plant take in water? Should I break the pot and repot the plant in cactus soil?
Ponytail Palms require dry soil, so the good news is that you probably haven't been neglecting it too much! These plants can't take too much water at once, so they MUST be root-bound before being re-potted, and there is a very specific way to re-pot them. This article will tell you how, as well as give you tips on how to continue to care for it:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-care.htm
I have no gardening experience and I received my ponytail palm for Mother's Day this year and I love it, so unique and beautiful. I would love to start and grow my own palm but I'm not sure exactly what a pony or shoot is. My pony has 5 branches and seems to be doing very well but I am about to repot it because I would like for it to reach about 2 ft tall. So my questions are....where and what does a pony look like (or what part of pony can I use to grow my own from start)? I don't know what to detach or cut off my plant to do this task. And the 2nd question is what size pot should I repot it in since I want it to grow approx 2 to 3 ft tall. As you can see in picture, it's approx 10 to 12 ininches from trunk [soil] to top of my branches [leaves]. I don't want to plant it in to big pot and kill it or too big of pot and it grows over 3 ft (3 ft is limit I want it at). Can you please help by answering my questions? I would really appreciate the help and time for your response.
Here is a link on info all about the Ponytail Palm;
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-care.htm
And here is another on the care and propagation;
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/pruning-ponytail-palms.htm
This plant is huge! Must weigh close to three hundred pounds.The pot it was in has completely fallen apart and the poor thing is just sitting by its root ball on the patio. It gets pretty hot out there so I have it wrapped in several cloth type materials then a waterproof type final material. Since the death of my husband, I am all alone and I have no help to do some things I need done, like plant transplanting. No way can I lift this plant, I only weigh 100 pounds and have severe Arthritis. I love this plant and I do not want to lose it. Any ideas whatsoever would be very welcomed! Sandy
I would suggest contacting your local Garden Club, to inquire if they may be able to help you with repotting of your Ponytail Palm.
A call to your local Chamber of Commerce or City Hall may be able to help you with contact information.
Even a local Scout Troop may love to help a citizen out.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palms-outside.htm
I have had my ponytail plant over 20 years. It almost reaches the ceiling. I have it by a huge window. We still have new growth at the top, but also have two new growths on the trunk near the middle. Can I trim the top? It is taller than the window. Andrea Bauer
This will help;
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/pruning-ponytail-palms.htm
What soil mixture works best, what type of fertilizer and how deep does the container need to be when repotting? Thank you.
Here are some links that will help you!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-care.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/how-to-move-ponytail-palms.htm