Didn't Know It Would Live Through That!

    We want to thank Winifred Begley of Eustis for submitting the information for this week’s gardening column. Her experience with ponytail palms, Beaucarnea recurvata, the elephant's foot, may help some of our readers. This drought-tolerant native of Mexico is often grown as a house plant or potted plant. The trunks can grow to 15 feet tall and can live for 350 years. They are endangered in the wild in their native habitat because of habitat destruction (according to Wikipedia) and an over harvesting for commercial propagation.
    Winifred had some landscaping done in her lanai about 10 years ago and was assured that ponytail palms are slow growers so not to worry about it getting too tall for the birdcage in the lanai. In due time the tree grew to its full height. For those who wonder, like she did, whether you could top a ponytail palm that has outgrown its place in the sun, the answer is yes.
    Well, it liked its place so much it grew and grew until its crown of ponytails was pushing through the birdcage screen. It was impossible to move with huge roots and trunk, so they asked Chris Gordon at "The Yard Stop" what they could do, and he said he would chop off the top and it would re-grow. They were skeptical that this was true, but it seemed like they had no choice. They had at least 3 feet of trunk removed, and its beautiful crown and left behind a very sad-looking stump. However, patience is a virtue and Mother Nature has her way of healing, so don't despair if you find yourself in the same situation.
    Thanks, Winifred, for sharing Chris's sound advice! Six months later, the ponytail palm has a beautiful new crown of fronds and is once again a prized specimen of horticulture beauty. We are glad to see six months brought the plant back to lovely.
    We are thrilled that readers and garden enthusiasts share their love of gardening here with us and you through their pictures and stories. Gardening is such a rewarding pursuit.
    Please send us pictures of your blooming plants and garden projects to hollynewby1@aol.com or mail them to P.O. Box 1099, Umatilla, FL 32784. We love to share the fun in the garden with others. Please send me a picture of what is in your garden this week to hollynewby1@aol.com. or drop a photo with your name on it by our office at 131 N. Central Avenue. Keep growing…