The agave, which belongs to the asparagus family, does not bloom as often and regularly as some other garden plants, but agaves are very popular in many gardens or in pots on the windowsill. After all, many gardeners feel reminded of Mediterranean vacation spots by the prickly beauties and offshoots of the plants can be obtained relatively easily.

Agaves are best propagated via offshoots

The Difficulties of Sowing Agaves

A certain problem with propagating agaves by seed is obtaining the seeds. After all, it takes at least a few decades for the so-called “centenarian agaves” to flower for the first time, and often for the only time at all. As a result, the extraction and trade in fresh seeds can only take place to a limited extent. Although smaller agave species bloom after just a few years, the cultivation of agave from seeds is not particularly practical in terms of effort and time. After all, the plants in nature are not limited exclusively to seed formation, but also form side shoots called Kindel, which can be obtained as offshoots.

Obtain rooted cuttings and care for them properly

With agaves cultivated in pots, it is not uncommon for the pot to become cramped, not only because of the growth of the actual main plant: sometimes several offshoots push up between the mother plant and the edge of the pot and make it necessary to repot them into a larger container. In any case, agaves should be repotted about every two to three years immediately after they have overwintered. On this occasion you can carefully separate the offshoots with a sharp knife. Make sure that you take any roots on the offshoot with you as much as possible, as they make it much easier and faster to grow. The young plants should then not be in full sun for a few weeks and should be watered sparingly before they are moved to their final location.

Professionally cut off unrooted children and let them root

The side shoots of the agave do not always grow below the substrate surface. Nevertheless, children sitting directly on the stalk can also be used for propagation. After cutting there are several options:

  • let the children root in the glass of water
  • place the offshoots for rooting in a pot with fine sandy substrate
  • choose a spot with indirect light on the window sill for the first few weeks

tips

It sometimes happens that older mother plants rot over the winter due to excessive moisture or show signs of this on the leaves in spring. You can still save offshoots that are already visible if you separate them in good time and water them very sparingly in a new planter.

Category:

Vegetable garden