And here's what they looked like as they went to spend winter in the basement. They actually took a turn after this and looked even worse for a while.
But come early May, when they migrated outdoors, they were beginning to look like they were going to make it. The real test came in June when I pulled them out of their plastic pots to plant them in something patio-worthy. look at those new roots!
Here they are on the patio, pretty amazing recovery don't you think? How many other plants could hunker down and stay barely alive for three years with no inputs, and then make a recovery to look this good?
So you might be wondering, what agave species are they? I know I was. In the original post I mentioned Agave 'Blue Glow' and 'Burnt Burgundy' as possibilities, but it's obvious neither of those are right. After spending a little time looking for the answer on my own I decided to consult the human agave encyclopedia, my friend Gerhard. We back and forthed a few times and came up with, and eliminated several possibilities. In the end it was narrowed down to Agave chazaroi, not because either one of us is certain, but because it's the only one that isn't a sure no. Hopefully they'll soon outgrow the single pot I've got them both in, but for now it's nice to see them thriving again together (oh and yes, there is actually a third, one of them has a small pup).
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Well done, Loree! They look like the very happy and healthy plants they were meant to be.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris
DeleteWhat a fantastic resurrection. Now I'm off to look up agave burnt burgundy, that sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteAgave ‘Burnt Burgundy’ is a looker!
DeleteI love successful, heart warming rescue tales. Considering your winter losses, this is a story with a happy ending, hallelujah; that must feel really good.
ReplyDeleteExcellent final vignette, I love that up-cycled bit in the center, on top of the vintage looking cement block.
Chavli
I'm liking that vignette too, that cement block is vintage, I brought it home from my parents place.
DeleteNothing better than agaves that come back from the brink of death!
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe they lived without soil, water or light for so long.
DeleteThat is quite a turn around. Agave chazaroi, that's a new one on me. When they are this small, is there anything that helps distinguish them apart from Yucca? At first glance, that's what I thought they were.
ReplyDeleteGerhard thought maybe yucca as well, but he dismissed that idea. I didn't think to ask why. For me it would be the terminal spine, and the fleshiness of the leaves but that's not a scientific answer.
DeleteIf it flowers this year, it’s likely a yucca, right? That unfurling foliage sure looks like what I see on my yuccas.
DeleteI asked Gerhard what it was that sent him back into the agave camp and he said it was the terminal spine. If it flowers this year it will challenge everything I think I know about plants.
DeleteThanks! Always interesting to learn how these two genera differ.
DeleteNice work and great assist from Gerhard. Those first pictures looked grim. Btw the aloiampelos striatulas you gifted me are looking great! Definitely rooting in with new growth on top.
ReplyDeleteJim N Tabor
Yay! Glad to hear it.
DeleteLucky plants to have you to save them! Gerhard knows all!
ReplyDeleteYes we are very lucky to have him as a resource and friend!
DeleteThis was inspiring, I think I need to go out and give my Agaves a bit more love today. Perhaps some repotting is in order. Mary P
ReplyDeleteFor agaves that I don't want to move up to a bigger pot I sometimes root prune them and freshen up their potting soil. It makes them very happy.
DeleteThanks, that’s a very good idea. I’m assuming it can help keep them on the smaller side too. They sure get heavy as they grow larger.
Delete"and stay barely alive for three years with no inputs". -- this is my prayer for my LA garden! Nice rescue! I initially thought yucca too...
ReplyDelete