Question
Dear Nick,

I bought a small ponytail plant 4 months back and the young plant has a bulb about 6" in diameter. It was in a doing okay in corner of the dining near a window and was recently taken out to sun (I am in Australia and it is summer). I also just started to water it about once a week.

Today I decided to pull out a few of the leaves as I wanted to get rid of the lower leaves that were browning out. I read that if you cut the tips you get more brown tips with jagged edges. However I got carried away and took more leaves than I should (as I want to get rid of another leaf that was splitting in the middle further in).  Then a terrible thing happened as I got to a point where the inner leaves started to flop and fall out like dominoes. I got a shock and tried to keep as many leaves upright. So I taped a a ring around the remaining leaves. But it made things worse as by touching the inner leaves (they are so fragile)more fell off! Now I am left with the bare bulb and 2 tiny leaves. I noticed the inner leaves are very very light green almost white. They are very fragile as I mentioned. I counted that 30 or so (green)leaves were removed as a result of the accident!

I love this little plant and need your advice on what to do to help the plant recover in the best possible way. What are the dos and don'ts. Also do you think I should leave it outside and let it get some sun for a few hours a day? I read that light helps to generate growth.

BTW will original stalk die off or will more new leaves grow back from the tip. Will this accident result in the plant sending more offshoots?

I appreciate your help in this. I can send you pictures of the plant if you need.

Answer
Hi Cynthia, ok, I'm thinking that you may be watering it too much, Ponytails store water in their bulbous trunks and overwatering can cause the symptoms you are describing, especially if they are not in a sandy soil mix, which would allow the water to drain off and not retain it. Change it out of its existing medium and replant it in a larger pot with a light soil mixture, then be sparing with the watering. Hopefully it will regenerate for you. Good luck and feel free to followup if you want. regards Nick