Agave, called maguey in Mexico, provided food, drink, medicine, clothing and building materials to ancient civilizations. It was an important crop to the Aztecs, second only to corn. Although agave has been used as food for centuries, some varieties contain toxic compounds that can cause mouth, throat or skin irritation. Agave grows best in semi-arid, low-nutrient soils, withstanding both heat and cold. Members of the agave or Agavaceae family are succulents. Most grow in a rosette pattern and bloom only once. Insects or diseases rarely bother agave when it is grown with care.
Propagation from Offshoots and Cuttings
Propagation from offshoots is the fastest and most reliable method of agave plant production. Agave plants put out offshoots from the base of the mother plant that are easily removed to begin a new plant. Some agaves also form new plantlets on the flower stalks. When removing the 'pup', it is important to leave a small portion of the stem that connected it to the mother plant. New roots will develop along the remaining stem within two to three weeks. Agave can also be rooted from leaf cuttings inserted in a bed of moist sand.
Propagation from Seed
Growing agave from seed produces a large number of plants quickly. A moist, sterile soil mix containing equal parts perlite and sphagnum peat is ideal for germinating seeds in a warm location with indirect light. The soil must stay lightly moist until the plants are established. A clear plastic covering helps keep the soil moist during the two to three weeks until the seeds sprout, then a daily misting keeps the seedlings moist until ready to transplant.
Agave prefers well-drained sandy soils. They require moist soil until the roots are established, then prefer to dry out between watering. Most agave varieties require at least six hours of sunlight daily. Nursery-grown plants should be planted in a hole large enough to hold the root ball at ground level. When planting an offshoot, the new pup may need to be anchored with a small mound of soil to hold it upright until roots form.
Once planted, agave need very little attention. Most problems are caused by too much water or too little light. They thrive in poor soils and do not need fertilizer, but do benefit from a layer of mulch on the soil surface. Plant spacing depends on the size of the mature plant, which can vary from small to quite large. The century plant is one of the largest varieties, with a spread of 8 to 12 feet. Agave plants are dormant in the winter, and most can withstand a light freeze, but a sustained freeze may kill the plant. Covering the plant with organic mulch provides additional protection in cold weather.
Your Planting Articles
- Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images