Agave – location, care and wintering

The agaves can generally be set up outdoors and indoors. However, most varieties are not winter hardy and have to be moved to winter quarters, which is why we recommend planting them in a transportable flower pot or container. The bigger the agave, the more difficult the move. Due to the thorns at the end of the leaves, there is a high risk of injury. Agaves need the sun and should be placed in a very sunny place. The plant can become very large over the years and therefore needs more and more space, a factor to consider before planting. The plant substrate must be very loose, as long-lasting moisture is not well tolerated by the desert plant. Conventional potting soil can be used,

• Very sunny location, but place the first few weeks in the penumbra for acclimatization
• After a gentle acclimatization period, it can take the heat very well, even at lunchtime
• The more intense the sunlight, the better the plant will develop
• Can handle a normal plant substrate, one third of which has to be mixed with sand
• Permeable soil to avoid waterlogging
• Unproblematic planting and transplanting, whereby the roots must remain intact
• Because of the strong growth, repotting is necessary regularly
• Small plants are repotted annually, the large specimens every three to five years
• If the lower leaves turn yellow, blotchy or wrinkled after repotting, the roots have not grown and repotting is necessary
• Moving after the winter time is to be carried out carefully, to get the plants used to the sun very slowly in spring, otherwise the leaves can burn

Appropriate watering and fertilizing

Agaves have their origin in the fury and therefore require very little water. If the plant is left moist for a long time, it reacts poorly and becomes unsightly, with blotchy, colorless and rotten leaves. The root ball should always be a little damp, however, the soil in the upper pot or bucket area must be dry before the next watering process. The plant is a true survivor during dry periods as it stores water in its leaves for times of need. Due to the frugality of the plant, fertilizer is only required in the summer months.

• Water sparingly and moderately
• The leaves indicate when water is needed, as they then become thin and wrinkled
• After a refreshing dose of water, the consistency of the leaves becomes firm again, they are again plump and filled with moisture
• Check with a finger test whether the upper layer of soil has dried out enough, only then pour
• In terms of water quality, the agave is less sensitive and can also handle harder water extremely well
• Every two to four weeks a normal fertilizer is completely sufficient in the summer months
• Dose fertilizer sparingly

Pruning and adequate wintering

If the leaves of the agave become unsightly, with disharmonious, yellow and wrinkled spots, the plant feels uncomfortable and is treated incorrectly. The reasons for these phenomena are usually errors and a lack of knowledge in the care, such as too much watering, which the plant does not tolerate well. If pruning is necessary, this must not damage the plant. If it is damaged during cutting, it weakens the entire organism and can even lead to premature death.

• Dying and rotting leaves must be cut off in good time
• If leaves die off frequently, this is an indication of care errors, analyze them and avoid them in the future
• Make the cut deep, but without damaging the main stem

Most agave species tolerate low temperatures, but have to move to a suitable winter quarters during the first nights of frost. The plants like a bright place in winter, with moderate temperature values. However, there are also very hardy varieties that come from the high mountain regions and can overwinter undamaged. Before planting it directly in the garden soil, you should thoroughly inform yourself about the appropriate agave species in order to prevent incorrect selection.

• Only partially frost-hardy plant that cannot withstand freezing temperatures particularly well
• Needs suitable winter quarters in the local regions with extremely cold winters
• In winter, set up in a bright location with a temperature of 4-14 ° C
• An ideal place for wintering is a light-flooded hallway or an attic
• During the hibernation period, the agave should only be watered moderately so that the resting phase can be maintained throughout
• If it is too damp, signs of putrefaction will appear
• If the plant is placed in the heated living area, a little more must be watered
• Extremely frost-hardy varieties should be selected for direct planting and overwintering in the garden
• To protect the plants from the cold temperatures, it is advisable to cover them with coniferous branches

The propagation of the agave

The agave propagation is relatively easy to do. The plants form side shoots, which are also called offshoots and kindles, these play an important role in reproduction. Too much watering at the beginning can prevent rooting, the plant needs the right growing conditions. Of course, sowing is also possible, but the gardener has to be patient here. With an offshoot or child, there is immediately a new agave, relatively small, but which quickly puts out roots and begins to grow. The progressive growth should always be under observation in order to initiate the correct care steps.

• The mother plant forms small offshoots as daughter plants, the so-called Kindel
• A problem-free and rapid increase is possible with the child
• Remove the child as close as possible to the stem of the mother plant and place it in a flower pot with sandy soil
• Let the interface dry for a few days
• Set up in a warm and light-flooded location
• Direct and strong sunlight should be avoided in the early stages of planting
• Water very sparingly at the beginning
• After the roots have taken root, start with normal moderate watering
• Repot annually to match growth
• Sowing with seedlings is also possible, but this procedure is very tedious

Flowers, leaves and height

The agave flowers only after many years, once it has flowered, it dies immediately afterwards. Over time, however, daughter plants emerge from which new agaves can be grown. The leaves of the plant are pointed and have a thorn at the end. Everyone should be careful of the terminal spines of the leaves, as they can seriously injure you. Young children in particular should not be allowed to play unsupervised near agaves. The height without a flower ends at about eye level with a child, so it should be enjoyed with caution. In Central America, the agave has been used as a crop since the rule of the Incas and the Aztecs. These peoples made the so-called sisal from the long and robust leaf fibers, which is still processed into a coarse yarn today. The style of the very young inflorescence can be used to produce vinegar, honey and even wine. If this juice is subjected to a corresponding fermentation process, it becomes high-proof tequila.

• Yellow and large-format flowers from an extremely high flower stem, this can be up to twelve meters high
• A rosette emerges from this flower stem, with beautiful yellow flowers
• Only blooms in old age and only once in its life, after which the plant dies
• Leaves are fleshy, tough, sword-shaped and have a dangerous terminal spine
• The height of growth is usually between 40-60 cm, when grown freely, the agave can expand extremely in width
• Some agaves are up to five feet in diameter
• However, if it is planted in a tub, it will limit the growth of the perimeter

Diseases and pests

Due to its nature, the agave is very robust and not particularly susceptible to diseases, insects and vermin. However, if it is left outside, unprotected from the cold and rain, the roots and trunk can rot. The plants can be infested with scale insects and mealybugs, the pest palm weevil, which raises its larvae in the trunk, is brand new in Europe. There is as yet no antidote to this pest.

Scale and mealybugs

• Affected areas lightened and soiled with sooty mildew
• Rinse the plant completely with water, remove the lice with your hands if necessary
• Wash the affected areas with a small amount of detergent and a suitable sponge

Root and stem rot

• Signs of rot in the roots and trunk
• At first the leaves turn yellow and later black, the plant turns yellow and dies
• The remedy is a well-drained substrate and drainage in the event of heavy rainfall

Conclusion
The agave is an easy to care for and robust desert plant that is very easy to cultivate. The lush green leaves beautify every garden and give it an exotic ambience. In the flowering period the agave is a real splendor, the flower stem protrudes high and has many yellow flowers. Unfortunately, the agave only flowers once and very late in its life cycle, after which it dies. But since daughter plants develop beforehand, they can be replanted as offshoots. Due to the sharp and dangerous end spines, the plant is only suitable to a limited extent for families with small children, as they could injure themselves if they were to play unsupervised. As a rule, special winter quarters are necessary for the plant, which is why planting in a transportable flower pot or container is advisable.