Getting too big for its boots! Solved

[Ernie]

The informed members of the forum will know this plant as
Beaucarnea (Nolina) Recurvata.

Common name Pony Tail plant and sometimes seen for sale in garden centres.

The one you see was one of a batch of 6 tiny seedlings I found in my local Asda store in the mid 1990's. I bought the entire tray because I figured Mr average would not buy what looked like a lump of grass.

Over the years the all grew at different rates and got moved around from inside the house to the greenhouse and back again depending on what I could get away with from the 'Boss'


Recently I sold several large ones to Roy Mottram to go into his own display glass house (not for resale)

The one pictured has been moved into the garden on a daily basis for the past 4 weeks. At bedtime it goes back into the dinning room(Not much room left in there!)

This plant will be kept in the greenhouse next winter but there will come a time when it will become too big for its boots takeing up too much room.


I have shown this plant for the benefit of the avearge reader of this forum to show just how big these plants can grow- and dont forget this is still a baby in relative terms.
[attachment 2535 DSCN1890.JPG]

[Maria J]

Flippin' heck! I've got one of those, and didn't realise they grew that big! It's on the lounge window sill and seems to like it there...
I bought it before my passion in C&S really took off, not even realising it was under that 'umbrella'. I've just had it as a houseplant for the last 4-5 years!

[Ernie]

Hi Maria. If you think that ones big you should see the two I sold to Roy Mottram!

Yours will outgrow the windowsill!

Listening to the news last night I had best not make it too obvious I have a likeing for 'grass' the comment could be misunderstood.

[Vic]

If you think that's big then take a look at these:

[attachment 2536 IMG_5312.jpg]

[Vic]

Another:

[attachment 2537 IMG_5341.jpg]

[Maria J]

They're not really the same plants are they Vic????
Do you have any pics of the ones Roy Mottram now had Ernie?

[Vic]

No I think they're gracilis Maria but recurvata will get as big if not bigger!

[Maria J]

Any ideas as to how old they are?

[Ernie]

Nice pictures Vic where were they taken. I agree they could be gracilis I have a small one.

Maria I would not worry I wont live long enough and although I dont know how old you are I doubt you will live long enough for the plants to become monsters like in the pictures posted by Vic. Grown in pots they can be restricted.

[Chris43]

This also is gracilis...and the guy standing beside this one is just over 6ft. The picture was taken west of Tehuacan, near the Puebla/Oaxaca border.
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