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PONEY TAIL PALMS


Question
I HAVE TWO BEAUTIFUL PONEY TAIL PALMS ONE IS ALL GREEN AND THE OTHE ONE HAS RED IN THE LEAVES. THE LEAVES ON ONE ARE TURNING BROWN ON THE END NOT TO BAD. I ONLY WATER WHEN THEY ARE DRY. WHAT CAUSES THIS. AND ALSO WHERE DO THE SEEDS COME FROM OFF THE PLANT AND WHEN.

Answer
Ponytail Palms -- "Beaucarnea recurvata" or "Beaucarnea stricta" to botanists, and, technically, not a palm -- need lots of bright light, high humidity, and plenty of water.  Unless you live somewhere that has 70 percent humidity every day, this plant should NOT dry out completely, especially in the dry heat of winter.  Try watering it a little more and see if the whole plant doesn't perk up.  

You were almost right, by the way.  Most people just can't keep their hands off the watering can.  Overwatering is the biggest mistake people make, growing the easiest plants in the world.

If you don't see an improvement, and the lower leaves still seem to be suffering most, you will have to come up with a way to improve the humidity problem.  Many people by the way just live with this situation and remove the brown leaves as they dry out, because they love so many other things about it.

Now, it shouldn't be watered until it's SOGGY.  Just moist.  Let it start to dry out, just don't let it get completely dry.

Now, are you asking about when you can expect this plant to flower and produce seeds?

Because this plant blooms in summer -- if it's huge, mature (at least 10 years old), and outside.  The blooms cover the top of the plant -- which at that point should be called a "tree" -- and eventually go to seed.  You can see some photos of a flower Ponytail Palm and some of the seeds that follow at Burke's Backyard http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/2002/archives/2002/in_the_garden/trees_and_palm...

Note that seeds will only be set, according to Burke's, if you have both a male and female specimen.  But given you are at least years away from juncture, we'll worry about that later.

Hope that's clear.  Any questions?  

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