My newly adopted agaves made their own container

If you've ever shopped at Xera Plants here in Portland then you've probably stopped in Bob Hyland's shop next door, Contained Exuberance—a clever name for a plant pot shop. Sadly Bob decided this was going to be his last year running the shop, so he held a series of closing sales. I really didn't need another container, but it seemed a shame to not stop in and grab one at half off, as well as say "so long" to the shop. I took home one of those great square planters with the angled sides. 

Just one you're thinking? I know, I hope I won't regret it, but remember—I don't need more containers! While chatting with Bob and other friends that stopped by, I happened to look up and notice a bit of green on top of these shelves. Could it be? Yes actually it could, and it was. An agave, in a basket.

Wait, make that an agave in a basket made by it's own roots! Seriously. Here's a better photo that Bob posted later (I borrowed it). He was encouraging people to come in and get some deals on the last of his inventory, but it reminded me there was an agave (agaves?) in need of rescuing. Y'all know I rarely say no to an agave in need. 

I asked Bob how long it had been up there, unwatered, unsoiled, unloved. His answer, since before the pandemic lockdown. That's right, he had removed the agaves from their container before he closed down in 2020 and they'd stayed there ever since. That's 3.5 years folks. 

Here they are at home, they look pretty rough (an understatement) but really, considering they've just been living on air and without much light they look pretty darn good.

We're thinking perhaps Agave 'Blue Glow"? Or maybe Agave 'Burnt Burgundy' (A. palmeri x A. victoriae-reginae).

I was considering doing something to get the root mass/basket to hold soil and leaving them planted in it. But really, after all they've been through these plants deserve the best shot at surviving long term.

So I trimmed them up, happy to see little roots tentatively pushing out...

And potted them up. I'll keep them in the basement for the winter months and give you and update on how they're doing come spring...

To receive alerts of new danger garden posts by email, subscribe here. Please note; these are sent from a third party, you’ll want to click thru to read the post here on the blog to avoid their annoying ads. 

All material © 2009-2023 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.