Question
Hi,
牋牋I just got a plant yesterday, and I need to KNOW what it IS in order to give it the proper care. It has a LARGE bulb at the base, about 3" in diameter, where it comes out of the fine gravel it is IN. The bulb's surface apears ROUGH, kinda like tree bark. ?The TOP has been cut off, and there are five shoots coming out of the bulb. Each shoot is about 6-8" high & has long tapered leaves coming from the center, the longest of which is about 7" long. The leaves are a lighter green in the centers, with a darker green on the sides, & thin white streaks mostly between the two greens.
牋牋It is in a little galvanized tub with 2 holes in the bottom, and a fine gravel rather than soil. There is some kind of moss also in the tub, in the back, & a couple of rocks. 燞ere's the really WEIRD part: The fine gravel that the plant came in, seems to be GLUED IN! I can't get ANY of it to BUDGE! Won't that KILL the plant?
牋?Can you tell me what it IS, & how best to care for it? IS it a young "Pony Tail"/"Elephant Foot"???
牋牋Please tell me WHAT it IS & what to DO. Should I take it out of the Gravel/Tub & repot it?
牋牋Thanks, ?Donna


Answer
Donna,

Yes, beaucarnea recurvata is the latin name for a young "Pony Tail"/"Elephant Foot palm tree.  It is frequently grown as a bonsai tree, however a little galvanized tub with 2 holes in the bottom is not a bonsai tray. But the fine gravel rather than soil is typical of bonsai plants and so is the glued together rock surface.
The plant does like a well draining gravelly, sandy soil. I do recommend that you immediately remove the glued together stones very carefully. Try not to damage the roots any more than absolutely necessary. If the rocks remain they prevent the roots from getting the air into the soil that the roots needs and it will cause root rot.  If you need to replace some soil make it is best to use a 50-50 mix of standard potting soil and sand so it will be a well draining soil.
This plant prefers full sun. The more sun the better. When you water it, water it well, then let it go till it is very dry and light weight before you water it again. Fertilize 1 time a month for good growth. The larger the pot you put this plant in the larger it will grow.  I have one that is 4 foot tall now.  They are beautiful structural plants that can get quite large, up to 12' tall eventually or more, but can be kept smaller by keeping it in a small pot. They are slow growing.  Good luck.
                                    Darlene