Can I save this Ponytail Palm Bonsai?

[booges192]

Hi,
I received my first bonsai plant (the left plant) in the mail from Amazon last Thu 1/16/15. I think being in a box in transit for 7 days weakened the Ponytail Palm so badly that a lot of the leaves coming off the 5 shoots of clusters of leaves were badly bent. So being a newb, I figured that those leaves should be cut. Well, the plant didn't show any improvements, so I notified Amazon and they immediately sent a new Ponytail Palm (the right plant) w/1-day shipping. It came today, Wed 1/20/15 and looks like how I imagined it to look.

So I'd like to know is it possible to revive the first Ponytail Palm? If so, can you give this noob a detailed instruction of how bring it back? The only idea I have right now is to cut off all 5 shoots, leaving just the an empty trunk, and hope that new shoots will start growing once Spring arrives. I have no idea of how to go about saving this plant, so any help will greatly be appreciated. Thx!

John

 

[CWTurner]

Pony Tail

Hi John,

I wouldn't think that PTP's make good bonsai, but what do I know.

I DO know that I've had a PTP for over 30 years. It started out about the size of yours and was grown as a houseplant (summer outside) and is now about 14" across at the base. I water by feel. The base will soften slightly when it needs a drink. And it will backbud. Mine was 6-7 feet tall a couple years ago and I trunk chopped it to 2feet and got a ring of 10 sprouts around the top. (should have air layered the top, but I didn't)

When healthy, it will take full sun, but I wouldn't do that now to your sick one. I also wouldn't cut anything off that isn't rotten already. My suggestion is to leave it alone for a while and cross your fingers. The PTP itself is only a couple dollar plant, so no big loss.

CW

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

My guess the first one was frozen in transit.

If it were mine, I would set it on the shelf in a bright spot. I would not water it. Remove the damaged leaves as the dry and fall off. Pony tail palms can sit dormant for quite a while. If it was not frozen too badly, eventually it will start sprouting. Remove parts that are soft and mushy. If there is a chance of life, it will re-sprout. But it may sit dormant for as much as 6 months. If you get tired of looking at it, throw it out. It was badly damaged.

 

[qwade]

Yes
Good advice from the above posts. Basically do nothing right now. As long as the trunk stays firm you know its not a goner. Leaves will fall by them self. Resume normal care once you see some new growth.Absolutely looks like frost damage.

 

[booges192]

Thx for all the advice

Well, I went as long as I could, but it got worst. The leaves were out of life and the all 5 shoots felt soft and mushy, so I chopped them all off. The bare trunk though, is still firm and hasn't changed from the day I received it. I'll just leave it as it is and water it every other week or when the soil is dry and hope for the best come summertime. Thx again for all the advice!

John