Variegated "Ponytail palm" starting to bloom.

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Stan
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Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
USDA Zone: 10a

Variegated "Ponytail palm" starting to bloom.

#1

Post by Stan »

Most likely Beaucarnea guatemalensis as it never has gotten a large swollen base. I've had it at least 10 to 12 years. I noticed the head nod last summer. I was worried something was wrong. Today I notice it forming a bloom stalk. I don't think there is a photo on the internet of these in bloom.Hopefully an Agaville exclusive!
More to be added as it develops.
One big question- is the seed viable? Or do you need two opposite sex plants? I do have a B.recurvata but its not in bloom yet.
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First year. No swollen base
First year. No swollen base
Picture16516_zps4711f63e.jpg (215.19 KiB) Viewed 2672 times
First flush.
First flush.
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Whole plant
Whole plant
IMG_5117.JPG (431.05 KiB) Viewed 2672 times
New stalk.
New stalk.
IMG_5116.JPG (330.79 KiB) Viewed 2672 times
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
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Paul S
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Re: Variegated "Ponytail palm" starting to bloom.

#2

Post by Paul S »

Marvellous! They are dioecious so no seed unless someone nearby has the opposite sex in flower, too. I imagine, but don't know, that it would make a hybrid with recurvata. Or possibly even a Calibanus hookeri, as that is now a beaucarnea - at least for this week. :D
Stan
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USDA Zone: 10a

Re: Variegated "Ponytail palm" starting to bloom.

#3

Post by Stan »

I have a Calibanus also. It flowers.

At the least it might branch. I don't think there are any photos on the net of one with branches.

In one photo you see a young Mango. Its now a small tree. Time has a way of making some great plants.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
plantguy
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Re: Variegated "Ponytail palm" starting to bloom.

#4

Post by plantguy »

Since the plant seems to be variegated in the L2 even if the plant set seed it wouldn't contain chlorophyll so I'd doubt that seed would be possible.
Stan
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Posts: 5691
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
USDA Zone: 10a

Re: Variegated "Ponytail palm" starting to bloom.

#5

Post by Stan »

Today I removed the red rock,pulled out the grasses and it spiffed up the look of the plant. I notice that unlike B.recurvata,this plant hasn't made every inch of soil,roots. Slow growing means slow rooting also. Or weaker rooting compared to B.recurvata.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
Stan
Ready to Bolt
Posts: 5691
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
USDA Zone: 10a

Re: Variegated "Ponytail palm" starting to bloom.

#6

Post by Stan »

They are starting to open. I know that when B.recurvata blooms- its over pretty fast so get the photo asap.
Like I said, no other poster on the net has posted these in bloom. Only a near decade long wait for me.
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Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
Stan
Ready to Bolt
Posts: 5691
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
USDA Zone: 10a

Re: Variegated "Ponytail palm" starting to bloom.

#7

Post by Stan »

One more with flowers advanced. People are noticing this plant...
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Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
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