Question
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Followup To
Question -
Hi, I don't know if you have expertise in SUCCULENTS.  If so, here goes:

I have a burro's tail that I purchased about six months ago.  It stayed outside on my patio all spring/summer and has done fair.  It grew a bit; was in a 6-inch, now in an 8-inch pot. There are some dead branches which I cut off this morning in attempt to tidy it up.  It looks OK, it just isn't as full and "heavy" as I was hoping, nor does it appear to be forming the look of a "burro's tail", though I realize they are slow growers.  I did very little for it, no pruning, and maybe that is where I went wrong.  I did water it every 14 days in early spring, then during heat of summer I watered it weekly using a fertilizer for cacti/succulents.  I used our tap city water with the fertilizer according to directions.  I've kept it in full sun always.  When I bought it it was a textbook example of a young burro's tail.  Now it is just a little "scraggly", though I've not really had any large pieces to die.  What did I do wrong?  What can I do now to nurture this sweet thing?  Thanks in advance.
Answer -
You have done what I call "loved it to death". I have done this with favorite plants of mine as well. Many plants thrive on neglect. This is one of them.
Let's start with light. Very few potted plants can handle full sun. Early morning sun for three or four hours is alright. But the rest of the day should be filtered bright light. Not too hot, and good air circulation.
I water only when the soil is dry. If it is in a plastic pot, it will feel light when it is ready to water. Or put your finger down in the soil, if you are not sure. Then water so that the water runs freely through the bottom and the soil is completely wet. Then let it dry out again. When  you have been doing it as long as I have, it becomes instinctive. The plant will turn blue if it is too dry, and will wither and rot if it is too wet. Try not to let either of these things happen.
I don't fertilize my plants, unless I feel they really need it. Which is sometimes never. They can usually get enough from the soil to do just fine. If I do fertilize, I wait until the temperature is below 90 degrees. Plants go dormant in the heat and the fertilizer adds to the stress. Best time is once in the spring. Don't fertilize after September first. This rule has to do with their going dormant for winter. I encourage my indoor plants to go dormant before I take them inside for the winter. I store them over winter in a cool place with good light. I let them dry out by giving them just enough water to keep them alive. When I take them out in the spring I resume normal watering.
Donkeys tail like to be somewhat root bound. I don't pot up unless they are in need of a bigger pot. I usually leave them alone for about five years. Yes they do grow very slowly. They are difficult to handle without breaking off pieces. So the less you handle them the better.
Those pieces can be easily propagated by putting them in water until they root then planting in a small pot.
Put your plant in a place that it won't get bumped or damaged, and leave it be. It will look very nice in about ten years. If you would like to see an example of what it will look like in many years, go to the Manito gardens in Spokane Washington.There is one that is about 15 feet long. It is the most beautiful one I have ever seen.

bakerplanter


FOLLOWUP:
Thanks for such a full, detailed answer.  I will rate you very high!  By the way, can I "visit" the Manito Garden anywhere on the Web?  Would love to see a photo of that 15-foot donkey's tail!
Thanks again.

Answer
I went to the Manito website, and while there are albums of pictures, I didn't see the donkeys tail. So if you want to send your address to me at bakerplanter@ iwon.com, I will send you the picture I took about eight years ago.
Just put "donkeys tail" in the subject, and I will find it.


bakerplanter