Ponytail Palm in Trouble...

[shahram0]

We've had a ponytail palm for over a year.

The fronds regularly turn brown, starting at the tip, and then entirely.

This has been going on since we got the plant as a gift.

The soil is Miracle-Gro.

We only water when the soil is dry (we use a houseplant water meter to test). The soil is dry every 10 days or so (I know that is less than the recommended watering schedule).

I've tried watering less, but that only seems to increase the browning.

I'm wondering if I'm watering too little (despite the ponytail general recommendation)?

Sure would appreciate some advice...

Thanks,

[Silas_Sancona]

2 minutes ago, shahram0 said:

We've had a ponytail palm for over a year.

The fronds regularly turn brown, starting at the tip, and then entirely.

This has been going on since we got the plant as a gift.

The soil is Miracle-Gro.

We only water when the soil is dry (we use a houseplant water meter to test). The soil is dry every 10 days or so (I know that is less than the recommended watering schedule).

I've tried watering less, but that only seems to increase the browning.

I'm wondering if I'm watering too little (despite the ponytail general recommendation)?

Sure would appreciate some advice...

Thanks,

Shahram0, Welcome to the forum and palmtalk.. 

Answering any questions might be easier if you could take some pictures of the plant in question. 

One thing i will say ..get it out of the Miracle gro --------  That stuff usually has too much peat moss, that either dries too quickly, and is tough to re- wet, or stays sloppy soggy, and breaks down to an even worse mess quickly.. Fertilizer in the M.G. stuff is bad for plants as well..  Not to say either of those things are contributing to what problems you might be having atm..

Better to pot it in a soil mix containing Pumice, Turface, Wash grit ( stuff can be collected in any of our dry creek/ river beds here ), and Coconut mulch ( ground Coconut Husk )

[PalmatierMeg]

Welcome. We need photos. The ponytail is not a palm but a caudiciform succulent. You should plant/pot it like the succulent it is in coarse, very well draining soil and keep it on the dry side. Miracle Grow soils are abominations.