The Message Board

RE: ponytail plants

Posted 604 days ago

From what I have read elsewhere about these plants the root run is not very extensive and they are reasonably slow growing. However, what may be more of a concern is that I have read that these plants can store massive amounts of water in their roots and in some part their trunks (as you may already know). This may eventually put pressure on the gas lines and cause shifting and movement in the soil. I'm not an expert but better safe than sorry?

RE: ponytail plants

Posted 604 days ago

Hi,
Jillbean
The Ponytail palm should be watered thoroughly once every 7 - 14 days. The Ponytail palm is native to desert areas therefore; it has a root system similar to cactus in that the roots go deep in order to store water for long dry spells. Be sure to let the soil become dry to touch 1" to 1-1/2" deep before watering again. If you notice the lower foliage is starting to turn a yellow or brown color you may be under watering the plant. The Ponytail palm requires bright light so be sure to place it near a window where full sun is received.

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http://www.envisionlandscapes.com.au/

RE: ponytail plants

Posted 604 days ago

The advice you gave MW is conflicting. You say to water every 7 - 14 days yet then explain how it is a desert plant. Im pretty sure it doesn't rain every week or fortnight in a desert otherwise it wouldn't be one!

Jill I have a ponytail and i rarely water it at all and it is fine. Like most desert plants the root system is mostly there for anchorige and is unlikely to be vigorous to the point of damaging a pipeline probably buried about 1 Metre or more underground.
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Wanna share info!

RE: ponytail plants

Posted 601 days ago

The most obvious solution is just in case they do damage the gas line which would be incredibly unsafe by any means by pressure on the soil surrounding the pipes or less likely the root system it would be best to move them.They are relatively easily moved by diggig just a short depth all the way around the plant the you can grasp the stem and by pushig it back and forth loosen any remaining roots.When you have moved them then they do like a bit more water just so that they can reestablish more roots and recover from moving stress.Regards

RE: ponytail plants

Posted 600 days ago

Thanx for you inputs, I have decided to move them and I will be hoping they are as easy to move as you have suggested brownsnake. This will be a challenge as the strappy leaves are quite sharp and the plants are like 6 feet tall and the bulb at the ground level is at least 4 feet round. Heres hoping I can save them without blowing myself up!!!!!!!! ha ha .....Thanx again for responding!

RE: ponytail plants

Posted 593 days ago

There is a product available called 'stress guard' this will help your plants if you do move them.
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imharau

RE: ponytail plants

Posted 592 days ago

Confusion, confusion!! Jillbean in yuur original posting you stated the ponytails were 800 high then in your next posting said they were 6 foot high !!However,regardless of height,I would'nt be too worried about the interference of roots and pipes. The ponytail has a fibrous root structure,and lets face it, if we were to worry about all the services leading to our home burried beneath the ground, then we would end up planting only groundcovers!

RE: ponytail plants

Posted 582 days ago

Yes rodp I must have been confused the plants are 6 foot high and in the end I changed my mind and thought if they were to do any damage they already would have. They look really healthy and Im glad I decided to keep them where they are.................

RE: ponytail plants

Posted 576 days ago

They are of the Lilly family and grow like succulents, so you don't need much of a root ball for them to keep growing; they can live for very long periods just from their reserves in the bulb, their habitat the Mexican deserts where they border the rain forest/jungle.
To display the bulb better when you move it don't plant it as deep, this won't hurt the plant either. They do grow large but take hundreds of year well almost so probably the house would fall down long before the pony tail (not a palms or even related) pushes it over which I doubt it would they aren't very aggressive growers.

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http://www.envisionlandscapes.com.au/