Sunday, March 7, 2010

Pony Tail Palm, Gasteraloe 'Midnight', Soap Aloe, Possumhaw

Though my wife & I have been together for close to 27 years, she has actually had a longer relationship with her Pony Tail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata): a little over 28 years!  "Her" palm is actually the one on the right (I added its friend to the pot a few years back - mainly because the original plant had grown quite tall and it needed more foliage down low).

"Her" palm grew so tall that we were no longer able to move the plant in and out of the house - and it needed to be outside in the bright sunshine as no place in the house had sufficient light.  So after much deliberation, we decided to cut it down to just a few feet and hope that it would branch out.  Luckily for me (my life passed before my eyes when I made the cut), it sent out three branches that spring.  And now we have moved it back outside and into a new pot.

Between today's rain sprinkles, I had time to plant another couple of Aloes: Gasteraloe 'Midnight' (right) & Soap Aloe (Aloe saponaria) (below).  The Soap Aloe is actually one of five large plants (and a few smaller ones) that all came from one purchased pot that was overflowing with pups.


 The Possumhaw (Ilex decidua) have started getting a few adventurous leaves out.
 

5 comments:

  1. It's one of my favourite palms ... I've always wanted one. Yours is certainly looking so happy and healthy.

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  2. I have two of these in my house, we have been together for about six years, and have had our ups and our downs. I had three of them, but unfortunately one of them did not make it when I attempted to cut it.

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  3. I have a ponytail palm in the ground (I inherited it) that is ten feet tall and the base is about four feet across! They can get big!

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  4. I'm happy for you that your wife's ptpalm branched out! :) This is one of my favorite plants of all time. First because it's fun...how can someone pass up a plant/tree that looks like "Thing 1 and Thing 2" of Dr. Seuss? Secondly, they're so easy to grow and provide so much interest. I also love your aloe...looks like an octopus!

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  5. I always love finding plants in the nursery such as Agave and Aloes that have lots of pups - I love getting more for my money. I found your blog on Blotanical and wanted to say "Welcome". I will be back to visit as we grow many of the same plants in Arizona as you do in Austin.

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