Bonsai - Medium Ponytail Palm

Bonsai - Medium Ponytail Palm

Ponytail Palm Bonsai 8 year old planted in 8 inch container.

Ponytail Palm (Palmas Ponytalis)

Palmas Ponytalis or as it is more commonly called, Ponytail Palm, has small, curly leaves and swollen base at the trunk. The Ponytail Palm is also called Elephant's Foot due to the nature of the trunk which is scaly and hard. The swelling of the trunk acts as a reservoir in times of dry periods. In fact, Ponytail Palm bonsai can go for a couple of weeks without watering provided they are not in direct sun. This is one of a handful of low maintenance bonsai and can be beautifully displayed in low light conditions of your house, office or patio. Due to its ease of maintenance it makes an excellent gift for those friends in short supply of a green thumb.

Shipping Guidelines for Bonsai

All plants can ship safely when temperatures along the delivery route are 40-80 degrees F.

Live plants are very sensitive to temperature and during periods of extreme temperatures we may have to delay shipment of your order. Please review the guidelines below for the temperature requirements, from our location in Florida to the delivery location, prior to placing your order.

Below Freezing (32 degrees F): Only the Japanese Juniper can ship. Other Bonsai must wait to ship until the temperature warms.

32-40 degrees F: Japanese Juniper Bonsai can ship via UPS Ground. Other Bonsai must ship to arrive in 1-2 business days.

40-80 degrees F: All live plants can ship via UPS Ground.

Above 80 degrees F: Japanese Juniper Bonsai can ship via UPS Ground. Other Bonsai must ship to arrive in 3 business days or less.

Bonsai Care & Instruction

These are general guidelines for bonsai care. Bonsai requires a good balance of light and water.

Watering Bonsai

The easiest way to tell when your bonsai needs water is to stick your finger through the moss to the soil. If the soil is moist or cool to the touch, then do not water your bonsai. When the soil on top is neutral in terms of moisture, it will be slightly dry to the touch. It is time to water your bonsai. Depending on the amount of light and temperature your tree receives, this may mean watering your tree daily or every few days. Never allow the soil to dry out.

Watering should always be through the foliage, using a gentle spray such as a garden hose sprayer or sink sprayer. Spray the foliage and all around the top of the container until you see water dripping through the holes of the container. Remember, insects breathe through their skin so water is an excellent way to keep insects and dust off your tree. Insects are seldom attracted to healthy plants!

Where to keep Bonsai

Bonsai should be kept in a well-lighted area shaded from the direct sun. Some excellent locations include a covered patio or porch which has filtered sunlight, outside under a big, shade tree or in a specially designed nursery shade-house. Bonsai may be brought inside for short periods, three or four days, and then placed outside for an equal period of time.

Even though most bonsai can withstand temperatures down to freezing and colder, we recommend that they be brought inside during severely cold weather and kept in a room near a window without the drying effects of a heater. In northern climates a well-lighted garage or a room in the house that is not heated are acceptable locations for the severe winter months as this will force your tree to go into a dormant state.

Please remember that bonsai is not a house plant and needs a balanced diet of fresh air, natural light and water to remain healthy.

Fertilizing Bonsai

Use a good bonsai fertilizer designed for Bonsai. Eve’s Garden has designed Bonsai Master Fertilizer for your bonsai. This is a mild 7-8-6 formula with everything you need to make your bonsai thrive. With Bonsai Master Fertilizer mix according to the directions of the label and use it with each watering from March to October. Do not over fertilize! Always follow the directions on the label of the fertilizer you are using!