Hello, I came home from a two week holiday to see my two foot pony tail tree looking rather yellow/brown and sad. I immediately thought that it was dry and so watered it. I have had it for about 6 months and it has been doing great (a litle brown on the ends of the foilage but overall good). I also thought that perhaps it is not getting enough light (especially while I was gone.) Any suggestions on what to do now to help get it back to being healthy? I cut off the brown parts thinking that this would enable the plant to focus on its new growth but am not sure that was the best idea either...ahhh help :)
Quote: "I came home from a two week holiday to see my two foot pony tail tree looking rather yellow/brown and sad. I immediately thought that it was dry and so watered it."...cheri28 A few questions: 1. Did you water the plant before you left on your holiday? 2. What made you think the plant needed water? 3. Did you move the plant or repot the plant before you left on your holiday? 4. What kind of potting mix are you currently using? 5. Does water freely drain out of the bottom of the pot?
Re: Over watered, not enough light Ponytail now what? I thought it needed water because I had not done my homework and realized that this tree doesnt really need a lot of water. When things look wilty or yellowing - I tent to always assume they need water? I did nothing special (repotting etc) before I left. It still has the same pot and mix as when I bought it and I have not added anything to it. Yes the water drains freely out of the bottom. It looked great when I left and now appears wilty, with much of the foilage yellowing. If it is just overwatering - is it sufficient to leave it dry out, or should I be repotting it with dry potting soil? How long am I looking at to nurse it back to health? I feel a bit helpless :(
also, it is beside a basement window - so I thought that while I was gone (no lights on or moving energy) it may not have been able to get enough light (with it being winter and rainy too here in Victoria)
1. Move the plant to where it can receive the most light. 2. If the soil is wet for any more than 3-4 days, the plant is in a condition where the roots are not taking in water. (Ponytail palms, in good health, will dry the soil within 2-3 days.) The plant is at a high risk for root rot. In that case, pull the plant, remove any dead or diseased roots, dust with rooting hormone, change the soil mix (check out the posted culture guides), and do not water for 7-10 days. If the soil appears to be drying out as normal, let it do so. Within this forum, there are several sources of information for your Ponytail Palm. One, there is the Succulent & Caudiciform Culture Guide that includes information from three different specialty nurseries (general information regarding caudiciform plants). Two, in the Photo Gallery under the heading Beaucarnea there is further, more specific information. Just click onto the web links. Mark
