How Can I Propogate a Ponytail Palm

Question

I've had this ponytail for many years & want to propagate it.  Every site tells me how to dig up the baby ponytail.  My ponytail has NO babies at the base.  They are all on the limbs of the plant.   So maybe I can just cut off a baby and plant it??

William · Answer

You can try to remove the babies by snapping or cutting them off the parent plant and root them to form new plants. I would dip the bottoms in a rooting hormone and place in a lite soil mixture (you can use cactus and succulent potting soil). Keep it moderately moist and in a few weeks it should have new roots. The best time to do this is in the spring.....Layering Technique: Layering allows the offset to form roots before you remove it from the mother, which can give you a greater chance of success. Do the layering in spring. Moisten a small handful of sphagnum moss and pack it loosely around the base of the offset. If possible, lift the offset slightly out of the soil, but leave it attached to the mother plant, so you can place some moss beneath it. Dust the bottom and lower sides of the offset with the rooting hormone powder, using a clean, dry paintbrush, to encourage it to set roots in the moss. Water the moss to moisten it only when it has almost completely dried. You can cut the offset from the mother plant and move it to the prepared pot after the offset begins forming visible roots.

Sherrie S · Answer

I will choose the 1st choice since this palm has no babies at the base.   This ponytail is over 25 years old and has bloomed twice.  I need a few more. Thank you William.

Ironhorse68450 · Answer

I have a ponytail plant in a pot (live in the mid west)..many years ago we had a sudden freeze and the top of it was 'nipped!' I crossed my fingers, brought it inside and cut the top off...put on rooting hormone...some weeks later it began growing 3 shoots off from sides! they are now 'all' happy and I have a large full green 'umbrella' at the top! Beautiful!

Ironhorse68450 · Answer

Also..I didn't know they bloomed!...what do they look like??

Sherrie S · Answer

I was very surprised when it finally flowered. It happened after a huge oak fell on the shed, destroyed it and knocked the top of the ponytail off. This is the only pic I have. Next time I will take more pics.

Ironhorse68450 · Answer

Is there some secret to having them bloom? I googled it and the 'plum?' is SO beautiful!! Mine probably never will, as it's in a pot!!

Ironhorse68450 · Answer

Hi Sherrie! I guess mine is around 25+ yrs. Again, it's in a large pot! How old do you think it has to be to bloom? ...I looked at my last comment to you..I should have said PLUME!!!..sorry

also, I checked the tops of my 2 palms...no sign of sprouts! I keep them inside during the winter-put outside in spring, summer & fall. Guess I'm on a MISSION now!!!!!!

Ironhorse68450 · Answer

Thanks Sherrie!...It kinda looks like the flower of a Yucca!!! We have many of those!

Sherrie S · Answer

My Yucca stabs anything near it so we moved several Yucca and let them grow where they won't hurt someone. I've never seen a flower but would love it. Where do you live Ironhorse?

How Can I Propogate a Ponytail Palm

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How Can I Propogate a Ponytail Palm

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