yucca filimentosa flower stalk

[Cowtown Palm Society]

Hi Guys,

What do I do with the flower stalk/stem on my yucca filimentosa after it has stopped flowering-just leave it, I assume? Thanks!

Duncan

[DesertZone]

Cut it off.

[lucky1]

I cut mine off every year when they're totally dry and ugly looking.

One year I left them standing, and the next spring, rather than pull them out and damage the mother plant, I gave it a twist and a gentle pull and all the dried stalks came out cleanly without damage to the plant.

The stalks are hollow, and I wonder if winter sets in early if the cold gets down that hollow stalk doing more damage than if it was left on until next spring.
Barb

PS you're way ahead of me..mine are just beginning to bloom.
Way late this year.

[Cowtown Palm Society]

Thanks guys! Cut it off, I will!

Duncan

[TimMAz6]

I'd cut the old bloom stalk off unless you like the look. I try not to cut off marginally hardy Yucca bloom stalks since moisture may drain into cut stalk area and cause winter damage.

[Cowtown Palm Society]

Hi Guys,

Thanks again for the advice!

Tim, welcome to the forum. Your yucca collection is just incredible!

PS you're way ahead of me..mine are just beginning to bloom.
Way late this year.

Barb- The only reason my filimentosa is ahead of yours is because it was sun-bathed in Monrovia, California, and then shipped to Calgary with a flower stalk on the verge of flowering. Enjoy the heat wave! Finally some real Okanagan heat!

Duncan

[lucky1]

sun-bathed in Monrovia, California

Good point Duncan.

Here come the flowers finally:


Yuccas are doing great...now I'm wilting
Barb

[hilashes]

Interesting about the hollow stalk. I cut mine off after it flowered last year and the stalk was stiff and solid throughout, almost like a tree trunk! This year it didn't flower...but I was told it doesn't flower every year. Some of you have mentioned it flowers every year?

Which also brings me to a question I've had for a while:
It was labeled Adam's Needle at the nursery, but I always compared it to others I've seen, which seem more green with softer bendable leaves, as opposed to my stiffer pointy leaves. So is it a true Adam's Needle or was mislabeled?

Here are some pics... one near bloom last year, one of the cut stalk and what the whole plant looks like this year.







Thanks in advance!
Heidi

[lucky1]

Heidi,
I've seen the Adam's Needle common name used for similar-looking plants, as always, only the Latin names are accurate.
My dried stalks are also solid near the base, but are hollow higher up.

My Yucca filamentosa blooms every year without fail.
You'll find the flowers more reliable as the plant gets a little older.

This is a good yucca resource:
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/ ... Yucca.html

Barb

[hilashes]

Why thank you Miss Barb!
Hopefully I'll see a bloom next year. That's a helpful website too.

I also get my tropicals from a nursery that carries the Monrovia brand. My Trachys came from Monrovia, California I refer to their website for most of my gardening design and plant choices.


Heidi

[TimMAz6]

Hi Barb,

beautiful photo of the blooming Yuccas with mountains in the background!!

[hilashes]

Pardon my late welcome TimMAz6 (is that Tim?) I've been meaning to greet you.
Nice looking yuccas you have I might add!

I agree with you on Barb's picture, it's beautiful up there!

Heidi