My ponytail palm grew quite a bit in the last couple of years so I decided it’s a good time to repot it. I did 2 parts potting mix, 1 part perlite and 1 part orchid bark and it’s STILL just so peaty/dense. The leaves are turning yellow since it’s holding onto too much water (I’d guess). What should I be using instead? When I water my palm, the water should be noticeably dripping out of the drainage holes right? I just feel like every soil mix doesn’t allow it to drain freely. It’ll be like one drip every hour lol. Can I repot my plant with a better mix to save it at this point or is it too much for my plant?
Helllllllpppppp
by AgreeableField1347
7 Comments
fox farms ocean forest, perlite, orchid bark. bing bang boom done
I usually do 1/3 potting mix (or coco coir reconstituted from a brick) 1/3 chunky perlite (chunky for big plants in pots 6”+) and 1/3 orchid bark. Sometimes I add a small scoop of charcoal to help improve the soil mix.
I think if you amend this with more chunky perlite and some bark it could be ok. 👍
I do a mix closer to 1/3 soil, 1/3 bark, and 1/3 perlite; I make sure to keep the mix chunkiest at the bottom to help with drainage (and because inevitably the soil will sink down and the perlite and bark bits will float up :/ but mostly drainage). Could very well just still be too dense – Miracle Grow kinda sucks in that regard, it isn’t just you! I think your friend here should improve once it’s in nicer soil.
I’m sorry if this is a stupid question, but maybe the drainage holes are too small or blocked by something? Or maybe you’re giving it too little water and that’s why the water doesn’t come out? I have my mint potted up in just pure soil, without any other components, and the water doesn’t have any trouble flowing out from the drainage hole. So I honestly doubt your soil mix is the problem here.
Anyway, I don’t ever measure when I mix my soil. I just eyeball it and aim for a mix that looks very airy and crumbly. I like to also add some grit in addition to orchid bark and perlite. Perlite is great, but it tends to float up, when you water, because it’s so lightweight. Grit doesn’t do that.
I think you’re on the right track with your soil mix, but from what I can see on the photo, it does look like you could add some more drainage to it.
You sure it’s not just the oldest leaves yellowing at all ?
Looks like mine and growing fine ! Your medium sounds fine but is the pot sealing the bottom holes and sitting in water ? Is the saucer full of water ?
I used miracle Gro cactus mix on my ponytail, palm, and it nearly killed her. Now I use a chunky mix, which is just some soil, some pro light and some wood chunks, and then in spring, I give her a fresh topper of worm castings.
Bonsai soil, specifically inorganic (adakama/lava rock/pumice or perlite). Even more specifically, Bonsai Jack from Amazon. You basically cannot overwater as long as you have drainage. You just have to fertilize solid organic slow-release monthly during the growing season.
And get a humidifier if you don’t have one.