But the flowering “century plant” specimen at the Garfield Park Conservatory is really 55-60 years old. The flower spike is a panicle up to 26 ft tall, bearing bright yellow flowers and may produce bulbils as well as seed. Once the plant has finished flowering, it will die. None of these agaves are (or were) in my garden except for the small one in the first and last photos. Sorry for my clumsy English; i am a Spaniard . I have this plant purchased in ’98 when very young. My Agave is blooming, when do I harvest the pods. Native to Mexico, the southwestern U.S., and the Caribbean. Loved this post! At the tip of the style is the stigma where the pollen will land. Will the stalk carry baby plants? My Agave potatorum, which maxed out at about 2 feet in diameter, is one example. I did not know it was agave til resently it started growing a stalk out of the center and I didn’t know what was happening because it never had done this in the past. Those in the photo are probably the same age—pups from the same litter, so to speak—so they all reached maturity at the same time. Top of agave flower spike just below the ceiling of the Arid Lands House The genus Agave belongs to the Asparagus family, Asparagaceae, and the flower stem, or ‘mast’, bore a strong resemblance to an asparagus spear until the flower branches started to show. It forms a solitary rosette of long, slender, gray-green leaves that arch and undulate, resembling the tentacles of an octopus. Hi, Les — It was probably Agave parryi, which resembles a large (4-feet diameter) gray artichoke. It was kept in the porch. Agave parryi var. Uhhhhh why would you want to sever the magnificent foxtail? Our giant Agave spike is finally flowering – though the flowers might surprise you! Entry tickets are limited and advance booking is essential. 08 July 2019 The genus Agave belongs to the Asparagus family, Asparagaceae, and the flower stem, or ‘mast’, of this species … Since it can take years to produce seeds, Agaves are usually propagated by offsets. So sky’s the limit! The toothless edges of the leaves curl inward, particularly around the tips. Hi, Dave. Now all these blooms are falling into the garden. This species originates in Mexico and the Southern USA. I was AMAZED to see this very beautiful HUGE terminal Flower spike on this beautiful Agave Victoria reginea. The plant, an Agave parryi that’s native to Arizona, New Mexico and northern Mexico, gets a single flower spike that can grow 10, 12 or even 18 feet, depending on which botany website one consults, said biology’s Doug Ewing, botany greenhouse manager. I am hoping you can tell me what I have. My dad will not get experience the beauty of it, but I sure will. In my own garden, I haven’t had any long enough to bloom yet. Agave Watch has officially drawn to a close, with the removal of our last giant Agave americana on September 10th. It’s hard to imagine a world without honey, cane sugar, syrup or other sweeteners, which are so prevalent in what we eat today. These have been the same size(small) in both. Also have a large clump of regular agave attenuata nearby that has never bloomed; planted early 1980’s. I’m afraid it’s a goner. The flower stalks of Agave attenuata are goofy looking, tall and curved like question marks. So interesting architecturally and different from what goes here in New England… though I do have Yucca growing … out of character I know for our landscape… and this member of the Agave family does not seem to die after blooming. Possibly, by placing the spike in water? We admired the architectural symmetry of this plant. It’s such a beautiful plant, my wife Princess and I hated to hear that it will die once it flowers. I am always amazed at those tall blooms. At the Great Outdoors last week, I spotted this shriveled, dying agave holding up a 12-foot flower spike covered in bulbils, tiny clones of the mother plant. I recently was given an agave americana that looks to be a pup from a larger plant, and it is very tiny! I’m sure the chances of getting two blooms in as many years is quite slim, so we are definitely celebrating around here! huachucensis (Huachuca Agave, Parry's Agave, Parry's Huachuca Agave) produces a flower spike that rises up to 20 feet. Some of the sites, with descendant agaves, still can be found. Hello, Hence the common name, foxtail agave. Read on for the story . I had to research this plant. We take pictures of it everyday and are amazed at the growth which seems to be daily. It depends. Agave are like roses and orchids, I would love to have a collection of them! I’ll be there on Saturday, taking photos, and would love to connect with any GGWers! There are so many varieties. It is very beautiful plant and interesting to watch this happen, but sad to find out it is going to die. Being a So Cal native, Agaves are all too familiar, but none the less always spectacular to see bloom. About Agaves: A blooming Agave is a sight to behold when it is topped with a magnificent flowering spike that can reach 15 ft. (5m), and bears colorful flower clusters. Award-winning garden photojournalist Debra Lee Baldwin authored Designing with Succulents, Succulent Container Gardens, and Succulents Simplified, all Timber Press bestsellers. Actually, not that many succulents do. (Moral: If you grow Agave americana, be mean to it.). The flower spike on an A. weberi at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona, was measured in May 2006 at 26 feet. Nicknamed Maya by staff at the conservatory, the plant is now entering her […] Hi, I loved the agave article.i live in Miami &love these plants. about 4 months ago. I guess, with a certain fertilizer? Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos and information! Flower spike of agave plant with reddish-orange flowers and buds. The agave species is known for its architectural foliage available in a variety of colors. Alas, Agave attenuata is the most frost-tender agave that I know of. The sight of this enormous, almost embarrassingly phallic agave bloom spike, as I drove through a north Austin neighborhood this morning, caused me to yank my car to the side of the road and take a photo. Octopus agave (Agave vilmoriniana) grows to about 4 feet in diameter and 5 feet tall. Giant Agave spike soon to flower at Cambridge University Botanic Garden. Thank you! I have pictures if you want to see them. Can and how can I send you a picture The appearance of its long, curved stalk earned Agave attenuata the common name “foxtail agave.” I’m often asked if you can stop an agave from blooming by severing the stalk. The huge blue agave, already impressive at over 8 feet tall and 13 feet wide, sent up a flower spike that can reach a … In the landscape, it provides a graceful, fountainlike form. I love the fact that many of your pictures were taken right here in San Diego. Can I use the agave blooms for cooking i.e. Can Landscaping Protect a Home from Wildfire? Thanks Debra! Donna Jones. Each ‘head’ is amongst a large group of adjoining agave plants and sit on a 2-3 foot trunk, some with small new pups sprouting off them. When young succulent horticulturist Matthew Wong, 11, visited, we cut down the bloom spike of my octopus agave and harvested bulbils. It helps me to remember the species name by imagining little potatoes skewered on the tips. Flower spike of agave plant with reddish-orange flowers in front of green leaves and buds. Hi, Susan — Plant breeders (like Euro-American Propagators, who have the Proven Winners line) are introducing wonderful small agaves and aloes that are ideally suited for pot culture. Evaluate the clump in terms of the aesthetics of your garden. Thank you! I plan to plant them all. I think sawn-off trunks are unsightly, so I’d cut them so you can’t see them. I suspect that agaves in pots don’t bloom as quickly as those in the ground. That is a wonderful photo… what a setting for such a bloom arching over the vast blue water! I planted 1 inground 1 in a pot. well at least I get to plant them in my small little patch. This is an especially tough Agave to overwater, sometimes performing well in standing water and muddy gardens in So Cal. It took about a year to complete it’s bloom cycle, so it was enjoyed by all for quite some time. There in rocky soil lots of fl sun&i water them& neglect them. once the spike falls, does the mama plant need to be removed? Over the summer, the spike grew at a truly impressive rate, with an average growth of 10cm/day until it reached a height of 4.5m (at one point we thought that we might have to remove some of the glass to allow it to continue its growth however, fortunately, it stopped just short of the ceiling). Thanks Spectacular golden-yellow flowers atop a … Have several offsets from the Blue Boy. The stalk, now about 5 feet tall, has grown a foot a week and is as yet unbranched. When it started forming a bloom spike, I realized the topic would make a good photo essay, so I went back through my photo files and pulled examples from gardens I’ve visited. And of course, don’t plant agaves near walkways, dog runs or play areas! Most Agaves are monocarpic: they flower once and die thereafter. No matter the size, shape, color, or texture, agave adds drama to any garden. I am now taking photos daily as it progresses! I bet you will miss this pretty plant however you will have all those babies. I’ve really come to appreciate succulents and I’m now in the process of planting my southwest facing back yard in Scripps Ranch with them. I have a question. Agave desmettiana bloom stalks turn from green to red as they mature. One of the reasons I bought my home in Scottsdale, AZ was because of the beautiful sculpture like agave plants out front. Like all agaves, this one will die after it blooms at maturity (after about ten years); pot up the baby plantlets that it produces along its blooms spike to keep yourself in an octopus's garden for years to come. Eating and sharing the agave heart was a major community event, and agave was one of the few sweet foods available in the desert. She grew up in Southern California on an avocado ranch, speaks conversational Spanish, and at age 18 graduated magna cum laude from USIU with a degree in English Literature. They must be littermates. Beautiful post! Agave attenuata Red Margin. Debra. Thanks. Dr Cano explains: “The bottom section of the flower structure, or inflorescence, has started to flower, however its flowers may not look as pretty as people might expect as there aren’t any coloured petals. After all, you and your guests aren’t likely to see such an event again (in your garden) for at least another 14 years. When this topples, it efficiently propells the offspring to the earth. If you let it bloom, new little plants will form along the spike once the flowers are finished. India. By the way, I live in Winter Park, Florida. My century plant just pushed out its stem 2 weeks ago. There was one in Portland in a garden on a busy street that people admired, and then mourned. It blooms itself to death (but it’s also supremely easy to replace, as it’s sold in most supermarkets, in fact, I’ve given it the common name “supermarket kalanchoe.”) If it’s color you’re after, aloes have spectacular blooms in midwinter, and the leaves of some will redden in full sun. A friend has a party whenever one of his big agaves blooms. It is getting to big for the area that it is in. I think they still look pretty neat but have decided to cut them off. So I started researching and found out it was and agave plant and this is what they do around this age. Thank you for your insight! There isn’t much shade. I am in Roanoke, VA, by the way, zone 6/7. Hi Debra, Thank you for the informative post. Interestingly, Agaves are members of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), a kinship that can be seen in early stages of the agave flower spike which resembles an asparagus spear on steroids. Tephrocactus strobiliformis. Obviously they aren’t a plant for outdoors here in Nova Scotia, but I can vicariously enjoy them through photo-posts like this. In fact, one of agaves most common uses in the landscape is for privacy or basically as mass plantings of thorny unpleasant defe… Agave attenuata is a perennial succulent has a thick stem crowned with a rosette of thick, soft, fleshy, pale green, pointed, leaves. The same chemical changes that cause it to flower also kill the plant. I would like some advice on how to harvest babies from this and move to new pots. Never have had agave. Hi, Janet — Thanks! sheesh. Agave americana‘s stalk is about the diameter of a telephone pole and nearly as tall. I would estimate the age of this plant to be less than 10 years. I know it will not last forever. Offsets are produced freely. I would hate to harm the mother plant in any way. Many will tolerate some frost (down to the mid-20s) and some go much lower. Debra. Our giant Agave spike is finally flowering – though the flowers might surprise you! I enjoyed this post very much and wanted you to know. 3 of 17 Jerry Pavia Thread agave A. filifera Yours is an incredible garden… are these plants from your collection minus the one by the ocean? As for the spines, I recommend snipping off the last quarter inch or so, to blunt them. When mature, the “heart” of the agave, the crown minus leaves and roots, would be harvested and set into a pit to roast for hours or days. That Agave potatorum is beautiful, what a lovely shot. She is surrounded with some pups. Agave weberi is apparently only known from cultivated forms in Mexico and SW USA. The one in my yard is about 30-35 feet tall. Thank you, Jane. Agave parryi var. They dry and last for a very long time. They are now all curved over and have shed the bulk of their dried flower stems. And how heavy is it? I have my plant potted in a small entry way garden and don’t have room to let them fall and propagate. The flower spike may reach 15 feet or so at peak height. do they all flower at the same time or is it our California drought that is impacting them? jam or syrup or some dessert concoction? Furcraeas, aeoniums and sempervivums come to mind. Your pics are amazing and it is obvious you have experience with these things. The blossoms on the bloom spike form bulbous little plants. Bill’s Best: A Top Designer’s Favorite Aloes. Will theses also make baby agaves, a well as the pups from the mother plant? VISIT THE NURSERY. The huge blue agave, already impressive at over 8 feet tall and 13 feet wide, sent up a flower spike that can reach a height of 25 feet. Debra. I’d love to know if that’s the case. Those are amazing plants! My question is: in your experience how long does agave take to sprout pups? Agaves flower once and then die, so in order to continue the next generation, they produce copious amounts of seed, or sometimes new plants called bulbils, on the flowering structure. We are lucky: when our very large agave bloomed 6 years ago we cut off the flower spike (after the flowers had developed) and the parent lived! Debra. The attenuata spike is lovely, but they are all striking. Agaves don’t like a lot of rainfall—they’re dry-climate plants. I was delighted to read this article.. beautifully written and so articulate. Debra. Hi Debra – I have really enjoyed your book and I’ve already preordered your next book from Amazon. It gets over 100 for a few days each year, but I didn’t loose anything in the 2007 freeze. or do the babies just sprout where she was? If pups conceal a sawn-off trunk, then perhaps you want to leave it as is and let the pups continue to enlarge. Hi, Susie — I like the wickedly long and tapered tips of Agave potatorum. The stock is growing 6” per day, an unreal pace. We just moved to Southern New Mexico a few years ago and promptly planted several agave in our yard–just love them! Many balk that they do not have pretty little pink flowers and that the spines might impale their dog or cat. Can I pull them off safely and propagate them in pots? Flowers are lemon-yellow tinged with pink. Agave americana, the most common agave in the Southwest, has the common name “century plant” because it supposedly takes a century to bloom. The central stem will also sprout other rosettes in time. Our Agave is sending up a towering flower spike that looks set to reach through the roof of the Arid Lands House. Felicitas von Ostau. The stamen are long, yellow ‘sticks’ (filaments), which end with pollen covered anthers, these are the male part of the flower. What a wonderful post! Do I have to dig out the original “mother” plant after the stalk dies off? All the spikes were stuck together. Sad to know its going to die its a beautiful plant and my son gave it to me about 10years ago. Btw, the largest CSSA show is this month, August 15-16, 9 am to 5 pm at the Los Angeles Arboretum, 301 N Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA. I will enjoy the show but will be sorry to lose her. Mine is about 22 feet tall. I love agaves! I don’t have any here although they probably would grow fine in TN. I love the potatorum, I just bought one in California. I had this agave for thirty years and it is now starting to bloom! Any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated. They go out with a bang! Hi, Debra, I saw Pam’s review of your book on her blog, and I immediately ordered it from Amazon. The last time we had an agave flowering in the Garden was June 2004. Join Me in Celebrating the Joy of Succulents! I live in Mangalore,. Apple Valley ca. Yes, your attenuatas will die after blooming. I have a chapter in Designing with Succulents just on color—the leaves of so many succulents are colorful. While the Garden’s records indicate that this plant was present in the Botanic Garden in 1962, we did not know what species of agave it was. Thanks for the great article! Trying to identify what I believe is an agave plant in my yard…. The bloom spikes of most species of Agave are treelike, but those of Agave attenuata are unbranched. Top of agave flower spike just below the ceiling of the Arid Lands House, Agave flower stem in June bore a strong resemblance to an asparagus spear, Flower stem in August showing branches and buds. Any advice on what to expect would be appreciated. The species Agave comes from the desert regions of Mexico. LOL! A Huge Assortment of Succulents For Sale Online. Debra. Flowers initially appear pink or red then turn a golden yellow color. and how long will it last. My agave sisalinia is sending out a bloomstalk now-its about 30 feet and the flower buds aren’t open yet! It is good that the Agave plants live so long before blooming … sad that they give their life giving birth… wow ….really so many offspring? . And people do, Misti. Do I just put them in potting soil and cover or is there something else I should do? Prized for its graceful foliage, Agave vilmoriniana (Octopus Agave) is an evergreen succulent perennial adding great interest in the landscape. It is about 11’ tall now with white tree like blooms toward the top. Actually, this garden contained two monsters—two 9-foot-tall agaves … I think it is sad, but none-the-less wonderful when these plants bloom. Our agave Plant is about to blossom after approximately 9-10 years, the stalk is approximately 12 feet tall. The stalk has started to lean slightly. ;+). My dad planted it about 20 years ago and now it has grown an asparagus sprout at least 8 feet, it is amazing how fast it has grown. The bloom spikes of most species of Agave are treelike, but those of Agave attenuata are unbranched. Once it’s done blooming my plan is to cut, dry and preserve it and use it like a “sculpture” in my livingroom. It already has 2 stalks and i thunk a 3rd coming up. Debra. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana should be OK for you in full sun and is excellent for adding floral color, but consider it an annual. It is mid-October and still in the ’90s here, so don’t think the cold [probably in January/February] weather will affect the blooms at all. I have a beautiful blooming agave in my yard in Miami, Florida, I think the tequiliana version as shown aboe. Loved the agave lesson, Debra. It has been my great pleasure and lifelong experience engaging with these exotic plants over the past 30 years. Fortunately by the time agave flower spikes are ready to fall over, they’ve dried out and don’t weigh much. Apparently some cultures in AZ/NM grew them as crop plants but the tradition was lost about 500 years ago. This was Agave tequiliana (which is the plant that tequila comes from). The appearance of its long, curved stalk earned Agave attenuata the common name “foxtail agave.”. Deana, I have an agave Americana that is almost 30 years old in my garden in Italy. If you enjoy entertaining, an agave bloom is a great excuse for a party. The flowers appear on spikes emerging from the center of the rosettes and usually grow to several feet high above the plant. They are just amazing. There was also a flowering in 2001 of an Agave sisalana which went through the roof of the Glasshouse. If this lets me send photos I’ll put some great agaves. Agave desmettiana is notorious for blooming out after being in the ground only a few years. The blooms are gone and the base is beginning to deteriorate. Is there a recommended place to saw off the trunk in this situation?? Assume that original plant will die after blooming. Hi Debra, The plant is in my neighbors yard and I told her what the plant was. Well, much to my joy, today, 10/9/09, I discovered an asparagus-like stem in the middle starting to emerge! Some, like this one, produce bulbils, which eventually fall to the ground. Since reading your book and articles I have a whole new appreciation for succulents…and a new hobby. The flower spike may reach 15 feet or so at peak height. I also bought 2 online & basically got ripped off and some little pups arrived. Patricia. It’s similar to honey but dissolves more readily in cold liquid and is not as strongly flavored. Debra and husband Jeff live in the foothills north of San Diego. Debra. Most species, though bloom more quickly, usually after 10 to 15 years, in a spectacular show of giant panicles of flowers. Unfortunately, no. How long does it take until it blooms? Can I plant the spikes that are coming out of the dead flowers? Correct??? Other than this issue the plant is very large and healthy. In Mexico’s commercial agave fields, the plants are harvested at about 7 or 8 years of age, when they are full of sugar in preparation for flowering. I read it grows very fast and it is in a perfect spot where it can grow as tall as it likes, next to some 40 to 50-feet pine trees. My books: Designing with Succulents, Succulent Container Gardens, and Succulents Simplified. Thanks for sharing, (and my condolences on the blooming and mortality of your agave…), Hi, Jodi — Some agaves you might be able to grow: Agave parryi (hardy to minus 20 degrees), Agave gentrii (5 degrees), Agave neomexicana (minus 20), and Agave havardiana (minus 10). Some plants become enormous before blooming developing trunks up to 10' long (usually the plant collapses before this and the trunk crawls along the ground), especially if given plenty of water. We will never replace this plant, since it takes constant attending to new pups, falling bottom leaves and then the major bloom. And I just want to be sure what you are telling me. This is a diagnostic feature of plants that overlap in habitat with other agave species. Is my beautiful plant going to die after this bloom process? GARFIELD PARK — The common name for the agave Americana would lead you to believe its bloom is an event a hundred years in the making. If i cut the spike before it blooms, is there a way i can encourage the spike to bloom and still produce offspring? I WAS GIVEN AN AGAVE AMERICANA KNOWING NOTHING I PLANTED IN THE GARDEN IN MOIST SOIL AND LAST WINTER -7 DEGREES AND IT HAS SURVIVED WITH 2 OFFSETS! The agave can be found in the Arid Lands House of the Glasshouse Range. Any info is greatly appreciated thanks. That Agave attenuata is really neat. Debra. Artichoke agave eventually produces a tall fifteen to twenty-foot flower spike. Agaves are monocarpic, meaning they die after flowering. Agave sap is used to make agave syrup as well as tequila, which comes from Agave tequiliana; Agave sisalana is widely cultivated for sisal, a fibre harvested from the leaves, which is used for making rope. I’m going to sit back and enjoy the show…while deciding what to do with a thousand baby plants. I only get to see it in the summer. thanks for any help you can give me. I have witnessed a number of agave americana’s; but about a month ago I witnessed a agave tequiliana started to bloom. Thank you, Carol, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Read the story and view a slideshow below. Adaptations. April 18, 2012. I’ll bet they were healthier for it, too. Blossoms open from the bottom up. A 'soft' agave, its leaves lack teeth and its tips come to a point but are not sharp. Hi, Chris — I’m so glad you’re enjoying your agaves in bloom! I’m really looking forward to sitting down and reading it properly – preferably outside in some sunshine. OUR PLANTS. The agave, in the Arid Lands House of the Glasshouse Range, has kept watchers waiting since it first started to grow a flower spike in June. I have a huge century plant in my backyard that finally toppled over…and all the green pods look with the yellow flowers look to be something I should be doing something with…can someone advise what I should do with this marvelous looking huge stalk of pods and things…I hate to just toss it…. We have 5 stunning agaves in bloom in our Austin, Texas neighborhood and I watch them every day to chart their progress. Much to my amazement, only days after cutting it, another Agave in my front yard, (different species) is beginning to bloom! My agave is approx. I loved the overview of the different agaves and their particular bloom styles. Any help or advice that you have as to what to do with the crown would be greatly appreciated. Agave americana, common names sentry plant, century plant, maguey or American aloe, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Mexico and the United States in Texas.Today, it is cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant.It has become naturalized in many regions, including the West Indies, parts of South America, the southern Mediterranean Basin, … If there’s nothing you can do about it, you might as well celebrate. It has many smaller plants around it and they are too becoming much bigger now. I don’ t want to leave it this way if that will hurt the plant.