Pony Tail Palm, Bottle Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata)

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palmbob Acton, CA(Zone 8b) Mar 20, 2004

Pony Tail Palm, Bottle Palm
Beaucarnea recurvata

Grove in SAnta BArbara CAlifornia

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Post #813396
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herekitty Los Angeles, CA May 10, 2004

Hey Palmbob,

We just moved into a house built in the 1940's which has two large ponytail palms in the backyard. I am not at all familiar with these trees and would like a bit of information.

My main question is: The ends of the leaves are quite brown. The trees they look like they have large, long flowers growing out of the end of the branches. Does the brown on the end of the leaves have anything to do with the flowers, and is there anything I can do about that browness?

Thanks so much for your time,

Carol Davis

Post #865267
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palmbob Acton, CA(Zone 8b) May 17, 2004

Brownness doesn't usually have anything to do with flowering, but flowering is stressful for the plant and it never looks that great afterwards. I find chopping the flowers off early keeps them looking better. brown-tipping can be due to crummy water quality, improper soil pH, really dry times, etc. Not sure which is the case for yours, but the lower leaves can just be stripped off it they don't look that good.

Post #872953
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jillybeaner Long Beach, CA Oct 03, 2006

Hi palmbob

I was just given an 11' ponytail palm like you have in the photo...we carefully uncovered the roots and carried it (by bob-cat scoop) a few miles to its new home...he stands straight, as opposed to those in the photo all seem to lean one way. He also has 12 "ponytails?" that shoot up making the greenery much more like a fireworks show!! I can't tell you how much I adore this tree! I will upload a photo or two when i get a chance.
But, my questions are: Is there any tips in food or fertilizer that he may need after being moved (no damage was done to the roots)?
There was a chunk of his bark (about the size of a flat football) torn off his trunk about 4 feet from the ground, the under-flesh is unharmed but the bark is gone. Any suggestions on caring for the wound?

thanks
Jillybeaner, long beach california

Post #2781266
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palmbob Acton, CA(Zone 8b) Oct 03, 2006

No fertilizer. No harm. No water. Just leave alone a few weeks. Then maybe a little water if it's warm. No fertilizer until next late spring/summer

Post #2782059
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