Trying to bring ponytail palm back to life

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by kerrigan g, Mar 12, 2019.

  1. kerrigan g

    kerrigan g New Member

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    I received a ponytail palm from a friend and freezing weather caused it to turn brown and die. Is there any way I can try to save it? I’ve cut off all of the dead leaves and it’s been about four months and no sign of life so far
     
  2. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    If you could reply with photos of what it looks like, that would help give people an idea of what the situation is. Attach photos and files
     
  3. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    Assuming your ponytail plant is in a pot, it would be an idea to remove it from the pot and take a good look at the roots. It should be easy enough by now to see if they are alive or dead but, if you're not sure, photograph them too when you send us photos of the above-ground plant.
     
  4. Michigander

    Michigander Active Member

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    Desert plants defend against bad conditions by going dormant. They can go dormant any time of year and leap back into action when conditions permit. Some years they may stay dormant (some species) through most of the growing season because they went dormant too close to the beginning of the growing season and once dormant, they have to complete the number of days in that state before they wake up. This happens with desert plants grown by people with greenhouses because there is no end of season. They go from greenhouse to summer back to greenhouse: no dry season! In cases like this they will eventually sulk, but not go into dormancy. If you skip a few waterings, intentionally or due to stupidity, they will suddenly go dormant. If it happens to occur in April they will just park for a few months in spite of lots of sun and water. All of this to say, -assume, rightly or wrongly, that the plant is in dormancy (hope for that as the best possible condition, the other being death), and treat it with dryness. Leave it in the sunniest place you have and don't water it until you can put it outside in April/May, or after it begins to grow. Caudiciform and pachycaul succulents have all the supplies on board they need to go dormant for long periods and begin growing by themselves when conditions permit. Too much water when dormant will only contribute to rot. Don't water until outside or new growth appears.
     
  5. kerrigan g

    kerrigan g New Member

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  6. Michigander

    Michigander Active Member

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    That ain't dead. It ain't happy, but it doesn't look all that bad. They ain't ever "pretty".
     
  7. kerrigan g

    kerrigan g New Member

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    So I should just water it when the soils dry? Any other advice on what to do? Thanks x
     
  8. Michigander

    Michigander Active Member

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    Pretend it's in the desert.
     

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