Identification Help!

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by luckyanjo, Dec 31, 2005.

  1. luckyanjo

    luckyanjo Member

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    This palm-like plant is 20 years old and never had a name. Can anyone help? Thanks.
     

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    Last edited: Dec 31, 2005
  2. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    Looks like Beaucarnea recurvata, Ponytail. Very nice specimen!
     
  3. luckyanjo

    luckyanjo Member

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    I thought it might be the Baeucarnea Recurvata but the long curly leaves do not match any of the pictures of that species. Have you seen one with such leaves? Thanks.
     
  4. Weekend Gardener

    Weekend Gardener Active Member 10 Years

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    I grow 6 Ponytails indoors. They are all germinated from seeds, which makes for some variation between the different plants. I see a range leaf forms, from stiff and upright, to droopey ones, and to twisty ones. You have two great specimens there! However, I prefer to grow mine with more of the bulb above soil level. This may reduce the risk of clay pots cracking as the stem expands and contracts.

    1404983249924.jpeg
     
  5. Junglekeeper

    Junglekeeper Esteemed Contributor 10 Years

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    I thought the twisting is the result of the great length of the leaves, similar to what a long ribbon would do.

    luckyanjo, do you do anything special to encourage vertical growth of the neck?
     
  6. Weekend Gardener

    Weekend Gardener Active Member 10 Years

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    Of the 15 year old specimens we have, one has stiffer leaves, the other more droopy and twisty leaves. Light levels may also affect the growth of the leaves. I leave mind outdoors in the summer and bring them in in the fall. The summer leaves have more colour, with a reddish hue when young, are broader, thicker and stiffer. The fall and winter leaves appear longer but narrower, more droopery, but is green only.
     
  7. luckyanjo

    luckyanjo Member

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    Thank you so much! The tree has had normal sheding of its lower leaves but never changed color. It has always been the deep, shiny green it is now. We give it a little Miracle Grow once in a while and take it outdoors during the summer. That's all! It pretty much takes care of itself.
     

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