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- Q.Ponytail Palm Flower - We live in Florida on the gulf side and we are new to the area. We have a Ponytail Palm ...
- Q.White Fungus On Leaves?? - This is a pony tail palm and has a white fungus type growth on its leaves. I can clean it ...
- Q.Advice On My Ponytail Palm - Hi There I have grown a ponytail palm for about 8ish years from tiny and it is now about 1m ...
- Q.Is This Normal, Or Am I Overwatering? - I noticed this brown stuff a couple of weeks ago. And now it looks like it's splitting. It has new ...
- Q.How To Care For Ponytail Palm In Winter In Planting Zone 7a That Is Now Too Large To Bring Inside? - I put the Ponytail palm outside in the spring and repotted it. Now it is so tall (over 6') and ...
- Q.Mealy Bug On A Indoor Ponytail Palm - Can someone please help me with a pretty bad mealy bug problem on my ponytail palm. The bug is nesting ...
- Q.What’s Wrong With My Ponytail “palm”? - Our ponytail was bought from a local garden store (Palm Desert CA) and immediately planted in our garden (Palm Springs ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
May 28, 2021Q.Ponytail Palm Flower
We live in Florida on the gulf side and we are new to the area. We have a Ponytail Palm that has flowered (6 stems actually on one tree) They are ivory in color so it is a male. Can they be cut off before they finish flowering or will it kill the tree. Any info regarding this would be most appreciated.
Answered by
GKH_Susan on
June 2, 2021
Certified ExpertA.I don't believe it will harm the tree. The spikes usually wither on their own after flowering is completed.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-flower.htm
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
July 15, 2021Q.White Fungus On Leaves??
This is a pony tail palm and has a white fungus type growth on its leaves. I can clean it off with soap and water but it is hard to clean off
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
August 2, 2021
Certified ExpertA.This appears to be a mealybug infestation. Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/mealybugs-control.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
August 13, 2021Q.Advice On My Ponytail Palm
Hi There I have grown a ponytail palm for about 8ish years from tiny and it is now about 1m high - see photo 1 & 2 and 3. 1) it has a pup on the side. If I want to cut it off do I put it in water and cover it or in soil and plant it? 2) I don't really like the way it has grown, and having read up about Ponytails I think I was supposed to cut the leaves to make it look like a "cute" Ponytail (see Photo 4) is this correct or is that a different Ponytail? 3) Can I trim the "pup" to look like the 4th photo? Regards Janene Ball janeneball@gmail.com
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
August 27, 2021
Certified ExpertA.That is a branch, not a pup, unfortunately. It will not, likely, make it to rooting if cut off. Pups will originate from under the soil, next to the original.
This article will help you with the care of the tree:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
August 28, 2021Q.Is This Normal, Or Am I Overwatering?
I noticed this brown stuff a couple of weeks ago. And now it looks like it's splitting. It has new leaves and otherwise looks very healthy. This is my first ponytail palm and I've only had it 5 months so I'm not sure what is or isn't normal. Thank you for your time.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
September 9, 2021
Certified ExpertA.They can go weeks between waterings. It may be overwatered. Is the soil damp or just dark? Are the leaves yellow or is that light shining through? Yellow leaves are a sign of overwatering (or root rot).
If the caudex is soft, you have a root rot problem. If it isn't, just cut back on the watering. Make sure the soil is dry before watering.
If the caudex is soft, repot in fresh potting soil in a clean container and hold back on watering. (It may be too late to save it at this point.)
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-care.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
September 22, 2021Q.How To Care For Ponytail Palm In Winter In Planting Zone 7a That Is Now Too Large To Bring Inside?
I put the Ponytail palm outside in the spring and repotted it. Now it is so tall (over 6') and I cannot bring it inside. I live in planting zone 7a.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
October 5, 2021
Certified ExpertA.It looks like it could go in the garage if you have one. Ponytail palms are only hardy to zone 9 so you may lose it outside, even with the best cover.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palms-outside.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/protecting-plants-winter.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/protect-plants-in-freeze.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
chrysalis6nz on
September 28, 2021
7612Q.Mealy Bug On A Indoor Ponytail Palm
Can someone please help me with a pretty bad mealy bug problem on my ponytail palm. The bug is nesting inside the stem of the plant and whilst I have sprayed it regularly with a neem oil solution, including down the stem, the little critters keep popping up! I am getting really frustrated and am considering ditching the plant entirely so it doesn't infect my other indoor plants. Any advice out there?
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
September 28, 2021
Certified ExpertA.Be careful with Neem oil! It comes with its own issues, too, if not used properly. Sometimes, it can cause more damage than the insects that you are trying to control.
I would recommend Azadirachtin! This is the main ingredient in neem oil, but as an extract. It is much more effective without being near as particular about application.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/azadirachtin-vs-neem-oil.htm
This collection of articles will help you with the care of your ponytail palm:
Was this answer useful?10 - Asked by
PSPtom on
October 7, 2021
Palm Springs CAQ.What’s Wrong With My Ponytail “palm”?
Our ponytail was bought from a local garden store (Palm Desert CA) and immediately planted in our garden (Palm Springs CA) in full sun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It did well for a year. Now it showed a bright yellowing at the top shock, and these leaves pull out with ease. The two or three minor sprouts a the lower trunk seem fine so far. Our gardener says it has an insect infestation that can’t be treated with Neem or other chemicals.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
October 8, 2021
Certified ExpertA.Unfortunately, your photo did not come through. I am unable to see the damage. It could be an insect infestation, but it could be lack of light, nutrient deficiency, disease, or other environmental factors. It will depend on how it presents itself. Without photos, I cannot say which factor it could be.
In the meantime, this article will help you to know what kind of care that they require:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palm-care.htm
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