Can I reimplant my ponytail palm? – How and when should I move my ponytail-shaped palms?

When people ask how to transplant a palm tree ( Beaucarnea recurvata ), the most important factor is the size of the tree. If you grow small palms in pots, or if you grow them as bonsai trees, changing pots is not a complicated procedure. However, ponytail palms that grow in the ground or in large pots can grow up to 5.5 m high and 2 m wide. Repotting large ponytails is very different from moving a small one into a slightly larger pot. Read on to learn more about repotting ponytail palms.

Can I reattach my ponytail?

It is perfectly possible to replant or transplant a ponytail palm tree of any size. You can replant a ponytail palm yourself, as long as you follow the general guidelines. However, transplanting large ponytail palms requires the help of many powerful arms and even a tractor.

If you have a potted ponytail, think carefully before moving it to a larger pot. Potted horsetail palms are happiest when attached to the root. If you’re trying to grow it like a bonsai, repotting may not be a good idea, because repotting the ponytail palm encourages the plant to grow more.

When to move your ponytails

It is important to know when to wave your palms for the transplant effort. The best time to replant or transplant a ponytail palm is early spring or summer. This gives the plant many months to establish new roots before the cold of winter sets in.

How to transplant a ponytail into a pot

If you decide that your potted palm needs a little more space for its roots, you need to figure out how to transplant a ponytail. Small ponytail palms that grow in containers are fairly easy to transfer to larger pots.

First, remove the plant from its pot by sliding a flat instrument, such as a kitchen knife, into the container. Once the plant is out of the pot, wash the roots under running water to remove the soil.

Inspect the roots. If any roots are damaged or rotten, cut them off. Also, cut as you would any section of the root with insects. Cut off large old roots, then apply a rooting hormone to the remaining roots.

Replant the plant in a slightly larger container. Use a soil consisting of half soil and half a mixture of perlite, vermiculite, crushed bark and sand.

Transplantation of large-tailed palms

You will need help in the form of strong humans if you want to transplant large horsetail palms. Depending on the size of the plant, you may also need a crane and a tractor.

You will need to dig a pit around the tree about 20 cm (50 cm) from the bulb area to the base of the bulb. Continue digging until it is under the main part of the root system. Slide a shovel under the root ball to cut off the small, descending roots.

Use sturdy aids – and maybe a crane – to lift the tree, root ball and the rest of the hole. Transport it by tractor to its new location. Place the root ball in the new hole at the same depth as in the old one. Water the plant, then retain the extra water until the plant settles in its new location.