Agave American. Care, Cultivation, Reproduction. Decorative Deciduous. Houseplants. Succulents. Flowers. A Photo

2023 Author: Ava Durham | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:13

Agave (Agave). Sem. agave - Agavaceae. The natural habitat is the deserts of Central America, where more than 300 species of this genus are found, in Russia the most common American agave (Agave americana). This species has taken root well in the parks of the southern coast of Crimea and the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus.

American agave has a very shortened thick stem with a rosette of fleshy bluish-green leaves up to 1.5-2 m long. The tops of young growing leaves are twisted into a pointed tube. The bush reaches sizes up to 3-4 m in diameter. In the 6-15th year, an arrow grows from the middle of the rosette with a height of 6 to 12 m with many flowers (up to 17 thousand).

© chrissandoval

In AI Kuprin's fairy tale "Centenary", the flowering of an agave is described as follows: “Lush clusters of snow-white flowers of unprecedented beauty bloomed on a tall green rod, which emitted a wonderful, indescribable aroma that immediately filled the entire greenhouse. But in less than half an hour, the flowers began to turn pink, then they turned red, turned purple and, finally, almost black … Following them, the leaves wilted and curled up, and the plant died. The underground part - the rhizome remains alive. New shoots grow from it.

Agave is light-requiring. In winter, it is kept in a cool, bright room, watered moderately. In summer, it is better to take it out into the open air. During flowering, the earthen ball should be moist. Agave is rarely transplanted. Young plants are kept in pots, adults in tubs. The plant prefers heavy soil, consisting of clay-sod, leafy and greenhouse soil, sand (3: 1: 1: 2).

© cactiphobia

Agave is propagated by root suckers and seeds. Seeds are sown in February in light soil, consisting of equal parts of leafy, greenhouse soil and sand. Seeds sprout 10-15 days after sowing. After another two weeks, the plants can be planted in pots.

American agave is suitable for landscaping light large halls, workshops, halls, recreation. For culture in the rooms, no less decorative Agave funkiana is suitable. It is a relatively small, slow growing plant with gray-green leaves that end in brown thorns.

© birdingitalynet

At home, the plant is of great importance to the population. Ropes, cords, twine, rugs are made from leaves of many types of agave; paper is produced from waste, mainly wrapping paper; the sugary sap of plants collected before flowering is used to prepare alcoholic beverages - pulque and mezcal. The roots of some species of agave in Mexico are used in medicine.