Agaves are striking architectural plants that can transform both indoor and outdoor space with their bold pattern and texture While buy matured agave plant can be expensive , propagate agave pup is an easy and affordable way to add these dramatic succulent to your home or garden excogitation .
In this comprehensive guide , we will walk through everything you need to know about propagating agave plants , from identifying pup quick for transfer to proper aid after repot . whether you are a tyro or seasoned gardener , this step - by - step tutorial will set you up for agave propagating success !
An Overview of Agave Propagation
Agaves primarily spread through “ pups ” – clone plantlets that go forth from the female parent industrial plant . As the mother matures and produces a bloom straw , she place push into creating new baby agaves at her base or edges . These pups have their own developing ascendant organization but are still attach to the parent .
Propagating agave pup merely involves gently remove them from the female parent works and repotting or graft into soil . This cloning process skips the seed starting and sprouting wait time Because the pup are genetically very clones from the female parent , you know precisely the face you will be getting as they maturate .
When to Propagate Agave Pups
Ideally , agave pups should be split and repotted when they are 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the mother plant . At this leg , the pup will have a more developed root system but still be small enough to transplant easily .
whelp are often found crowd around the stem of a blooming or mother plant life that is several year old However , some agave species also produce pups regularly even when not blooming
Smaller pups can be leave on the female parent longer to permit them to grow larger before remove . However , hold back too long increases chances of damage to both the pup and mother plant when separating .
Supplies Needed for Agave Propagation
Propagating and repot agave pups is a square process . Here are the basic supply you will require :
Optional supply :
Step 1 – Prepare the Pups
The first step in propagating agave pups is softly removing them from the female parent plant .
For potted mother plants:
cautiously tip the container on its side and slide the mother plant out . Use shear to slice down the side of the glasshouse pot if you involve better access to the base .
Gently loosen the soil around the pups to locate their roots . Find the thicker connecting rootstalk attaching pup to mother .
For in-ground mother plants:
practice a shovel or hori hori knife to relax and grasp out the soil around the base , exposing the pups . Locate thicker female parent - pup unite rootstock .
Once root word are located , carefully foreshorten the join rhizome with desexualize shear or knife . Trim any excess roots but keep integral as much of pup ’s root word system as possible .
Step 2 – Repot the Pups
Now the agave puppy are ready for transplant ! For good results :
Choose containers with drain holes , 2 - 4 inch wide than whelp . Terracotta mess work well .
Fill mickle about 1/3 with dry , poriferous cactus / succulent grease mix .
Nestle each pup in pot , spreading tooth root over pile of soil .
Backfill soil around root , sustain top 1/2 inch of whelp above soil .
Firm land around bound leaving no air pockets , but do n’t pack tightly .
For in - priming coat planting , dig holes wider than root ballock andBACKFILL with cactus mix / native soil portmanteau . Mound soil under pup , keeping poll above grade .
Step 3 – Water and Care for Pups
After transplantation , water pups sparingly :
Water newly pot pups light to settle grease . Avoid saturating .
Let dry out between watering until solution establish , 1 - 3 weeks .
bit by bit increase water for pups in faster draining cactus mix soil .
Water less frequently for pups set in ground , peculiarly in wintertime .
Agaves dislike tight groundwork . Allow containers to fully dry out out before soaking again . piss less in winter months . Provide bright light or partial sun . Transition pups to direct outdoor sunlight over time to harden ontogenesis .
Protect newly planted in - reason whelp from frost and freeze . Shelter pots when temperatures drop below 45 ° F/7 ° C .
Common Questions About Agave Propagation
Propagating agave plants from pups is broadly speaking round-eyed but there can be a few questions along the manner ! Here are some usually asked questions :
How long does it take for agave pups to root?
Agave whelp form their own root system while still attach to the mother plant . This have in mind they are fundamentally quick for transplant as soon as they are removed ! You may see fresh antecedent growing in as small as 2 - 3 workweek after repotting .
Can you propagate agave leaves?
Agave leaves can not be propagated directly into newfangled plant . However , some agave flowers will give rise pocket-size plantlet or bulblet that can be removed and grown into autonomous plants .
Do all agave species pup?
Most unwashed naturalise agaves like A. americana and A. attenuata produce pup regularly . Some exceptions like A. parryi rely more on bulbils / plantlets from flowers . Check your specific agave coinage ’ multiplication method .
How to revive a drooping, transplanted agave pup?
A pup that is loll or dropping farewell shortly after transplantation is belike stressed from being overwatered . Stop lacrimation and allow it to fully dry out out . Remove any rotted root and transplant into saucy , dry soil . Hold back on watering and increase light exposure .
Potting Up Agave Pups for Gifts or Display
Once agave pup are transplanted and begin prove , you may make a spectacular display by planting group together in a large container . Here are some tips :
prefer a blanket , shallow planter or bowl with drainage . Terracotta , concrete , and metallic element work well
Fill bottom third with cactus / succulent grunge mix .
Arrange pups at different elevation , packing soil around roots .
set aside room for emergence , space small-scale pups 2″-5 ” asunder .
Top clothes with decorative crushed rock or stones if hope .
Potted musical arrangement of agave whelp make wonderful endowment ! Just include care instructions to avoid overwatering .
Transplanting Agave Pups In the Garden
Adding agave whelp to your garden or landscape painting design provides instant sculptural shock . For in ground planting :
Prepare planting holes at least twice the breadth of the pup ’s source ball .
partly backfill cakehole , creating a mound to grade the puppy on top of . This prevent crown rot .
Spread roots over knoll and backfill with a commixture of 1 part cactus soil , 1 part aboriginal grunge .
Pack soil firmly around edges . Slope soil slightly underneath to ameliorate drainage .
admit at least 2 feet between most agave species , 4 - 6 feet for largest varieties .
take away any surrounding dope / weeds and top wearing apparel with pebble or irritate to quash contender . Take care not to bury the neck or pennant of agave pups when planting .
Troubleshooting Agave Pup Transplant Problems
Propagating and transplanting agave puppy is quite easy when done correctly . Here are some rough-cut issues and how to ward off them :
Rotting at the infrastructure or top – This is due to excess wet . amend drainage , water less frequently , and allow grime to fully dry out out between lacrimation .
sag or crease leaves – Signs of underwatering . Gradually increase lachrymation frequency and quantity for fresh planted pups .
Failure to rout or establish – Can be make by damage antecedent during removal , or transplant cushion . minimise root disturbance , shelter from sun / confidential information , and hold off watering until pup recovers .
Slow or no new growth – deficient sunshine . Gradually transition to brighter light . fecundate lightly in leaping . Also check for root damage or disease .
Propagating Agaves: An Easy Way to Expand Your Collection
propagate agave plant by removing and transplanting pups is one of the simplest and most gratifying succulent projects . In just a few straightforward step , you may create new agave specimens for indoor container or outdoor landscape gardening .
The ability to clone your favorite agave miscellany ensures you may repeat their form , textures , and color in endless eye - catching combination . savor see your new agave babies flourish !
