Agaves in the Garden: A Guide to Selecting, Growing and Enjoying Agaves

1. Agaves in the Garden A Guide to Selecting, Growing and Enjoying Agaves AZ1336 Jack Kelly Commercial Horticulture Agent

2. Agave • 200 - 250 species identified and described • Native to Western U.S., south through Mexico, Central America and the West Indies

3. Grow in area from 0 to 7000ft. in elevation • Howard Scott Gentry divided the species into two groups

4. Those with a spike inflorescence (54 species) • Those with a panicle inflorescence (82 species)

5. Types of Inflorescence (Courtesy of Arizona Press:Agaves of Continental North America)

6. Agave Basics • Plant in well-draining soil • Provide adequate light - many species prefer partial sun or filtered light

7. Carefully choose a micro-climate • Best when planted during warm weather to aid in root development

8. Use organic amendments carefully - too much can interfere with proper drainage and lead to rotting • Protect from direct sun when planting nursery grown plants. Plant at the same orientation as grown in the nursery

9. Know the mature size of the plant and space accordingly • Be aware of spines especially in areas of pedestrian traffic

10. Remove any damaged roots from field grown plants and allow to dry for several days in the shade • Plant in a shallow wide hole with a minimum of organic amendment in the backfill

11. Water thoroughly after planting and determine the irrigation schedule • Do not use organic mulches; use decomposed granite or rock • Keep water off of wide-leaved agaves to prevent spotting of the foliage

12. Container Growing • Choose appropriate varieties such as A. victoriae-reginae, A. parryi var. pattoni, A. fernandi-regis, A. macroacantha. Larger species require larger pots From Left to Right:A macroacantha, A. victoriae-reginae, A. parryi var.pattoni

13. Use a quick - draining medium • Use slow release fertilizer or liquid fertilizers such as Miracle - Gro™, Peter’s™, etc.

14. Under-pot to aid in soil drying out between waterings • Plant slightly high in container with lower leaves above the soil

15. Plant in clay containers and water regularly • Choose ‘ideal’ location in partial sun to place container • Re-pot every 3- 4 years

16. Light Exposure Most agaves prefer filtered light or be accompanied by small native shrubs that will provide some filtered light.

17. Growing and Rooting Medium • 50% Pumice • 25 - 30 % Sphagnum Peat Moss/Compost • 20 -25% Soil

18. Agave species

19. A. americana

20. A. americana ‘Medio Picta’

21. A. colorata

22. A. durangensis

23. A. fernandi regis (hybrid of A. asperirima x A. Victoriae reginae forma nickelsii

24. A. geminiflora

25. A. havardiana

26. A. X leopoldi

27. A. lophantha

28. A. macroacantha

29. A. murpheyi

30. A. palmeri

31. A. parryi var. huachucensis

32. A. parryi var. huachucensis

33. A. parryi patoni

34. A. parryi var. truncata

35. A. parryi var. truncata

36. A. parryi var. truncata ‘Huntington Clone’

37. A parviflora

38. A. schidigeraPhoto Courtesy of Greg Starr

39. A. toumeyana

42. Agave hybrid:A. scabra X A. fernandi regis

43. Same hybrid as the previous slide but grown in full sun

44. A. victoriae - reginae

45. A.victoriae - reginae

46. A. weberi

47. Vegetative Propagation