Agave

The genus agave includes more than 300 leafy succulents with large erect inflorescences - spikes or panicles. Fleshy greenish-white or greenish-red flowers have a tubular or bell-shaped shape. The leaves are collected in basal rosettes at the base of the stem-short or rather long (up to 3 m). Often there are spines along the edge and at the ends of the leaves. The most famous agave is American (Agave americana) - up to 3 m in height and diameter-and its forms and varieties 'Edged', 'Striped', 'Mid-list ' (the latter has a white or yellow stripe in the Central part of the sheet). There are also a number of fairly common types. Agave refined (A. attenuate) - a plant up to 1.5 m tall with glaucous leaves and yellow inflorescences. The height of the terrifying agave (A. ferox) is 1.5 m; large spines are located at the ends of the leaves. Agave filamentous (A. filifera) - usually 50-60 cm high with green and white striped leaves. Queen Victoria agave (A. victoriae-reginae) has a very slow growth, it reaches only 15-20 cm in height; there is a white stripe along the edge of the oblong-triangular leaf. Agave protruding (A. stricta), 40-50 cm high, has thin and compact leaves of dark green color with prickly ends. When visiting the Botanical gardens and southern parks, our attention is primarily drawn to the majestic agaves. Agaves are a favorite plant for landscape design, and due to their imposing appearance, they are widely distributed all over the world. Agave is an extensive genus of monocotyledonous plants, currently numbering more than 300 species. Most of them are powerful perennial grasses with numerous linear basal leaves collected in rosettes. Tree forms are rare. Agaves can be dwarf, only a few centimeters, and giant-up to 3 m in diameter. Most species are monocarpic, which bloom only once, and then die. But before flowering (and some even throughout their life), plants produce side shoots or root offspring that continue to live after the death of the parent rosette. Many people believe that agaves bloom at the age of a hundred years. The British even call them "age-old plants". But mostly agaves begin to bloom at the age of 10-30 years. The most powerful of them expel a huge peduncle-up to 11 m high, with clusters of elegant flowers. The local population sometimes dresses up such flower stalks as a Christmas tree. The leaves of agaves are diverse in shape and extremely beautiful, hard, straight or bizarrely curved, with smooth or jagged edges, bearing powerful terminal spikes or decorated at the edges with flaking Curling threads. In many species, the leaves are covered with a whitish-bluish waxy coating, on which the prints of unfolded leaves are clearly visible. Birthplace of agaves - America, but in many countries of the world they are introduced by humans and, for example, in the Mediterranean and in the South of Russia they can be found feral or growing in the open ground. Agaves are actively used in economic activities, huge plantations of these plants exist not only in Mexico, but also in Africa and Asia. Agaves are used to make the famous tequila, the national Mexican vodka, and also produce technical fiber for making ropes, ropes, and packaging fabrics.

The genus agave includes more than 300 leafy succulents with large erect inflorescences - spikes or panicles. Fleshy greenish-white or greenish-red flowers have a tubular or bell-shaped shape. The leaves are collected in basal rosettes at the base of the stem-short or rather long (up to 3 m). Often there are spines along the edge and at the ends of the leaves.

The most famous agave is American (Agave americana) - up to 3 m in height and diameter-and its forms and varieties 'Edged', 'Striped', 'Mid-list ' (the latter has a white or yellow stripe in the Central part of the sheet). There are also a number of fairly common types.

Agave refined (A. attenuate) - a plant up to 1.5 m tall with glaucous leaves and yellow inflorescences.

The height of the terrifying agave (A. ferox) is 1.5 m; large spines are located at the ends of the leaves. Agave filamentous (A. filifera) - usually 50-60 cm high with green and white striped leaves.

Queen Victoria agave (A. victoriae-reginae) has a very slow growth, it reaches only 15-20 cm in height; there is a white stripe along the edge of the oblong-triangular leaf.

Agave protruding (A. stricta), 40-50 cm high, has thin and compact leaves of dark green color with prickly ends.

When visiting the Botanical gardens and southern parks, our attention is primarily drawn to the majestic agaves. Agaves are a favorite plant for landscape design, and due to their imposing appearance, they are widely distributed all over the world.

Agave is an extensive genus of monocotyledonous plants, currently numbering more than 300 species.

Most of them are powerful perennial grasses with numerous linear basal leaves collected in rosettes. Tree forms are rare. Agaves can be dwarf, only a few centimeters, and giant-up to 3 m in diameter. Most species are monocarpic, which bloom only once, and then die. But before flowering (and some even throughout their life), plants produce side shoots or root offspring that continue to live after the death of the parent rosette. Many people believe that agaves bloom at the age of a hundred years. The British even call them "age-old plants". But mostly agaves begin to bloom at the age of 10-30 years. The most powerful of them expel a huge peduncle-up to 11 m high, with clusters of elegant flowers. The local population sometimes dresses up such flower stalks as a Christmas tree.

The leaves of agaves are diverse in shape and extremely beautiful, hard, straight or bizarrely curved, with smooth or jagged edges, bearing powerful terminal spikes or decorated at the edges with flaking Curling threads.

In many species, the leaves are covered with a whitish-bluish waxy coating, on which the prints of unfolded leaves are clearly visible.

Birthplace of agaves - America, but in many countries of the world they are introduced by humans and, for example, in the Mediterranean and in the South of Russia they can be found feral or growing in the open ground. Agaves are actively used in economic activities, huge plantations of these plants exist not only in Mexico, but also in Africa and Asia. Agaves are used to make the famous tequila, the national Mexican vodka, and also produce technical fiber for making ropes, ropes, and packaging fabrics.

Cultivation

Resistant to drought and heat, agaves are suitable for gardens in hot climates, especially the 'Edged' variety of American agave. They can be grown in pots on balconies and terraces, placed in a well-lit place. But for the winter, as a rule, plants are removed in a room protected from the cold and illuminated. For agaves, growing in the open ground, 1-2 times during the growing season, fertilize with full mineral fertilizer at the rate of 20-30 g per bucket of water or dry top dressing of the plant at the rate of 20-30 g per 1 m2. From all of the above, it should not be concluded that agaves are not suitable for growing in indoor conditions. These beautiful, diverse and very unpretentious plants can decorate any collection. You can always choose from a wide variety of agave plants suitable for your conditions. Or there may be miniature agaves, which in recent years have become more and more popular. Young specimens of even large agave species can delight their owners for a long time if they are grown in depleted soil with limited watering and in small containers. In this case, they will grow more slowly and retain their miniature appearance for longer. In summer, most agaves grow well outdoors (in the garden, in a flower bed), they can be dug into the ground directly with a pot. In autumn, with the onset of stable night frosts, plants are removed for wintering indoors. Some forms of Agave utahensis at home can withstand frosts up to 18 °C in winter, therefore, if protected from excessive humidity, they can be grown in the open ground in many regions of Russia.

Resistant to drought and heat, agaves are suitable for gardens in hot climates, especially the 'Edged' variety of American agave. They can be grown in pots on balconies and terraces, placed in a well-lit place. But for the winter, as a rule, plants are removed in a room protected from the cold and illuminated. For agaves, growing in the open ground, 1-2 times during the growing season, fertilize with full mineral fertilizer at the rate of 20-30 g per bucket of water or dry top dressing of the plant at the rate of 20-30 g per 1 m2.

From all of the above, it should not be concluded that agaves are not suitable for growing in indoor conditions. These beautiful, diverse and very unpretentious plants can decorate any collection. You can always choose from a wide variety of agave plants suitable for your conditions. Or there may be miniature agaves, which in recent years have become more and more popular. Young specimens of even large agave species can delight their owners for a long time if they are grown in depleted soil with limited watering and in small containers. In this case, they will grow more slowly and retain their miniature appearance for longer. In summer, most agaves grow well outdoors (in the garden, in a flower bed), they can be dug into the ground directly with a pot. In autumn, with the onset of stable night frosts, plants are removed for wintering indoors. Some forms of Agave utahensis at home can withstand frosts up to 18 °C in winter, therefore, if protected from excessive humidity, they can be grown in the open ground in many regions of Russia.

Location

Since all agaves come from very hot desert areas, they naturally prefer the open sun. Agaves, as native inhabitants of Central America, need to be provided with maximum light. Only in full sun will they appear in all their natural beauty.

Since all agaves come from very hot desert areas, they naturally prefer the open sun.

Agaves, as native inhabitants of Central America, need to be provided with maximum light. Only in full sun will they appear in all their natural beauty.

Temperature

The minimum winter temperature, depending on the species, is 0-10 °C, the optimal summer temperature range is 18-28 °C. However, these plants safely tolerate higher temperatures. Special requirements to the temperature at the time of vegetation of agave do not require. The main thing is to keep them warm and Sunny. in Winter, they should be kept in a bright place without watering at temperatures of 5-10 °C. At higher temperatures, wintering agaves can either dry out very much or quickly start to grow, which, if there is a lack of light in winter in the middle (and especially Northern latitudes), can lead to stretching and loss of decorative properties.

The minimum winter temperature, depending on the species, is 0-10 °C, the optimal summer temperature range is 18-28 °C. However, these plants safely tolerate higher temperatures.

Special requirements to the temperature at the time of vegetation of agave do not require. The main thing is to keep them warm and Sunny. in Winter, they should be kept in a bright place without watering at temperatures of 5-10 °C. At higher temperatures, wintering agaves can either dry out very much or quickly start to grow, which, if there is a lack of light in winter in the middle (and especially Northern latitudes), can lead to stretching and loss of decorative properties.

Watering

Water moderately, and only during the active growing season and in summer; watering is especially important if agaves are grown in pots. Adult plants of open ground cannot be watered at all. Watering during the growing season is necessary regularly and abundantly. The more nutrition and water a plant receives, the faster it grows.

Water moderately, and only during the active growing season and in summer; watering is especially important if agaves are grown in pots. Adult plants of open ground cannot be watered at all.

Watering during the growing season is necessary regularly and abundantly. The more nutrition and water a plant receives, the faster it grows.

Transplant

Potted specimens are transplanted into new containers, depending on the development of plants, once every 1-2 years in the spring. The soil should be light, sandy, and well-drained (50% humus, 20% peat, and 30% coarse sand). At the bottom of the pot, it is advisable to put a layer of clay shards or pebbles to facilitate the rapid removal of excess water, which provokes root rot. Transplantation is required for the growth of plants. Less frequent transplanting and close dishes slow down growth, which is often used to further maintain the miniature size of agave, while maintaining its inherent habit. When transplanting, they usually remove the "spent" ones (dried ones) roots that separate from the plant without effort. Live roots should never be pruned. If they do not fit in a new pot, they are slightly "curled".

Potted specimens are transplanted into new containers, depending on the development of plants, once every 1-2 years in the spring. The soil should be light, sandy, and well-drained (50% humus, 20% peat, and 30% coarse sand). At the bottom of the pot, it is advisable to put a layer of clay shards or pebbles to facilitate the rapid removal of excess water, which provokes root rot.

Transplantation is required for the growth of plants. Less frequent transplanting and close dishes slow down growth, which is often used to further maintain the miniature size of agave, while maintaining its inherent habit. When transplanting, they usually remove the "spent" ones (dried ones) roots that separate from the plant without effort. Live roots should never be pruned. If they do not fit in a new pot, they are slightly "curled".

Care

They do not require almost any care, except for the removal of inflorescences after flowering.

Reproduction

Seed propagation is carried out in the spring (if you have chosen this method of propagation, do not remove the inflorescences, but leave them on the plant for the seeds to Mature). From seed, plants will develop slowly. A more common method is to cut off the formed shoots in the spring. Then, for several days, the cut is allowed to dry out, after which new specimens are planted to take root in light soil - the same as used when transplanting into a new pot (described above). Agaves are well sprouted from seed and then they grow quickly. It can also be propagated by child rosettes and root offspring. Unfortunately, some are interesting, particularly the miniature types at a young age of the shoots is not allowed. Therefore, only growing from seed remains for them.

Seed propagation is carried out in the spring (if you have chosen this method of propagation, do not remove the inflorescences, but leave them on the plant for the seeds to Mature). From seed, plants will develop slowly. A more common method is to cut off the formed shoots in the spring. Then, for several days, the cut is allowed to dry out, after which new specimens are planted to take root in light soil - the same as used when transplanting into a new pot (described above).

Agaves are well sprouted from seed and then they grow quickly. It can also be propagated by child rosettes and root offspring. Unfortunately, some are interesting, particularly the miniature types at a young age of the shoots is not allowed. Therefore, only growing from seed remains for them.

Diseases

Brown streaks and black spots on the leaves indicate the presence of the fungus Coniothyrium concentricum, in which case the plants are treated with fungicides based on copper or dithiocarbamates. Worms that settle on the leaves and stems cause the plants to dry out. From they are disposed of by applying relevant anticoccidial drugs. Like any succulent plant, agaves are susceptible to putrefactive diseases during prolonged stagnation of moisture in dishes, especially at low temperatures. The root neck can be damaged by mealybug, and the leaves by scabies.

Brown streaks and black spots on the leaves indicate the presence of the fungus Coniothyrium concentricum, in which case the plants are treated with fungicides based on copper or dithiocarbamates. Worms that settle on the leaves and stems cause the plants to dry out. From they are disposed of by applying relevant anticoccidial drugs.

Like any succulent plant, agaves are susceptible to putrefactive diseases during prolonged stagnation of moisture in dishes, especially at low temperatures. The root neck can be damaged by mealybug, and the leaves by scabies.

Acquisition

Agaves are quite easy to find in horticultural centers and flower nurseries. Choose well-formed plants with healthy whole leaves. The best time to shop is in spring.

Etymology of the name In Greek, the word "agavos" means "noble, majestic". According to another version, the genus is named after Agave-one of the female characters of Greek mythology.

Etymology of the name

In Greek, the word "agavos" means "noble, majestic". According to another version, the genus is named after Agave-one of the female characters of Greek mythology.