Ponytail palm root bound, growing roots out of new pot x2, no new foliage yet

Hi, I have a ponytail palm that I repotted twice this summer. Both times, the roots continued to grow out the the pot in less than a few weeks. (I tried to post pics but having problems) Do I need a larger pot? I went up an inch in size. Everything I read says this plant likes to be root bound and to beware of increasing the pot size. However, I do no wish to restrict the growth of this plant (like a bonsai). I would like it to grow more leaves but for some reason the leaves on the plant are rather sparse in comparison to the trunk size and root development. This plant gets morning sun which it does not seem to enjoy. Every summer the leaves become tinged red and I am afraid it is being sunburned. It sits alongside other ponytail palms all of which do not turn red in the the summer. Please let me know how to give this plant the best growing conditions!

Here are pics:

Hi. Are you talking about a Beaucarnea recurvata? Your description sounds like it maybe something else.
https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/183284/

I would be shocked if this one could get sunburned unless you put it in full sunlight after being in shade and maybe had the leaves wet. I think I have 3 or 4. I would buy them if I found one with a large base. All sit in my courtyard, in full, no shade at all, California sun, the foliage stays green. My biggest I have had about 18 years, It is about 6 feet tall with a really broad base. It sat in a the same small pot for about 12 years somewhat neglected. It was all roots, no soil left at all. I watered it rarely. It did not grow much but didn't suffer either. Finally I potted it into a much bigger pot, maybe 3 X the size. This is usually a no no, the rule being you go up 1 size but I used very porous soil so the roots would not sit in wet. It has thrived. I guess what I am saying, is that they are a very hardy plant, takes some frost, a lot of abuse, little water, lots of sun. The only thing it probably would not tolerate is very wet roots.

If the roots are coming out of the bottom, I would repot it. Though it shouldn't hurt it if you don't. Use a fast draining soil. Maybe try a high nitrogen fertilizer to see if you can get more leaves. Be careful not to use too strong a dose. I tend to use a very diluted dose but feed my succulents with every watering and they grow large!

If it is growing a fat base, that is very desirable with these plants. The fatter the better.

A few photos would really help.

Here is a very interesting article on the genus. https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/261

LOL You posted the pics while I was typing! It is a Beaucarnea recurvata. That looks like a very happy plant! It has great leaves, and they seem to be a normal number. I think the leaves look a bit short only because the top looks like it was clipped to grow multiple heads. So the heads are much newer than the base. It will get in better proportion as the top catches up.

It looks so healthy, and the roots look very healthy too! Seeing it, if it were my plant, I would not repot it yet, I am not sure why the roots are growing so fast. Winter is coming and it should slow down. Generally, unless the roots were really coming out, I never repot in October. You have a bigger chance of root rot. I like to do my repotting in spring when the plant is in growth mode. It can overcome a lot more then. Seeing your plant, it is not in any distress. My plant I was talking about had the roots growing in a huge solid circular tight mass with no soil left at all and it was OK. I bet you still have lots of soil in that pot.

In winter, I slow down on the watering too since they are not in growth mode. I would say do what you are doing. Plus it has a great view it seems. LOL And a kitty for company!