Hey Mike,
I was waiting to see if someone with more experience with ponytail palms was going to answer this, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. I poked around the web a bit and it does seem like most people who've tried it have had success air-layering a ponytail palm. I've never tried air-layering myself so I'm curious to hear what happens!

Thanks for the encouragement. I haven't air-layered anything in 20+ years, & that was just a Dieffenbachia that probably didn't need the effort in the first place. Guess I'll try it when the work eases up at the end of the month. I was thinking of trying the method of cutting a plastic pot in half top to bottom & taping it together around the trunk so I could feed/water it (as opposed to the dirt ball in plastic wrap I used on the dumb cane). Thanks again for your effortsÂI'll write back when I get results, good or bad, though that may be a few months. One more question: do you think it would be a good/bad idea to repot the main plant at the same time? I haven't done it in ~5 yr and it really needs it.

Thanks again, mike

Good luck with everything. I was wondering if you could post a pic. I have a baby pony-tail palm in a 5 inch container and wonder how long it takes for it to grow large.

Mike have you cut your PT back yet? I too would love to see a pic..it sounds fascinating.. Toni

Mike, I would definitely do one thing at a time. I would say, after you remove the rooted top half, re-pot the original at the first sign of new growth.

Your split pot idea sounds doable, though I would still wrap some plastic around the top of the pot to keep the humidity in. And did you really use dirt for air-layering? Everything I've read says to use sphagnum.

Sorry I didn't get back sooner, but work is killer right now. I probably won't get around to doing the job until next weekend. I'll see if I can take some pics and post them, tho' our camera is old/bad and I've never done that before.

Yes, I did use potting soil on the DieffenbachiaÂmy impression was that the purpose of the sphagnum was moisture retention, and I kept the soil wet with an old syringe I had from my home allergy shot days. (It worked fine, but, as I said before, the Dieffenbachia probably didn't need it.)

My big worry with the pot is that, unlike the plastic wrap, I won't be able to see the roots when they develop. It's probably moot, thoughÂthe top will probably have to come off when I bring the plant in come September/October, (depending on how long the mild weather lasts here in sunny eastern WA).

Thanks, all, for your interest!
mike

I don't know if you'd want to go for the extra expense, and I don't know if they would accommodate something as thick as a Pony-Tail, but Lee Valley Tools sells these rooter pots for air-layering. In the pics, they look clear enough to see the root development.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lee Valley Rooter Pots

Thanks Karen for that great link. I may never have to buy another shrub.

Mike, I would love to see a picture of your plant. My pony tail is over 30 years old but I neglected it for about 20 years. The base is only 7 inches. It is really putting out fronds right now. Fortunately I have a long way to go for it to hit the ceiling

wow. i had no idea you could air layer a ponytail. very interesting.

you'll have to let us all know how it goes!