Question From:
Vicki in Victoria Point, Brisbane QLD
Nature of problem:
Need to determine sex of plant
Type of Plant (if known):
Ponytail palm
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
nil
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
clay
How often do you water the plant:
never, rainfall only
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
all day
What type of plant is it:
Ponytail palm
How long since you planted it:
23 years
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
With blood and bone when planted
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
Outdoors/garden
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
Ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
nil
Upload photo if available:
Other Comments:
I would like to find another palm of the opposite sex. My palm has flowered several times (approx 8 – 10 flower heads), but the flowers appear not to open. They remain some cream colour but do not open. I am told that if you have both male and female, you get a flowering spectacular. How do I tell the sex of mine to get the opposite sex?
Answer: Hi Vicki, Yes there are separate male and female pony tail plants. The female plants produce flowers that are a pinkish colour and the male plants produce flowers that are a creamy-white colour. So yours sounds like a male plant. If so, it will never set seeds. Maybe get another plant to see if you might get a girl. Girl and boy plants are only able to sexed when they flower. Don