I planted Agave Baccarat and Agave Blue Flame last April. The baccarat started having yellow spots in May. Now my Blue Flame have slits in leaves as well as brown marks on a few bottom leaves. Any suggestions will be helpful. I water once a week and they get morning sun and some afternoon. I have landscaping paper down with white rock on top. The only thing I can find online is edema. I’d love to know your thoughts!
This appears to be bacterial leaf spot. Is this paper porous? I am inclined to believe that it will be causing the soil to hold too much moisture. This can cause infections such as this. It will be best to be able to feel down into the soil several inches to ensure that it is completely dry before watering again. These are very drought tolerant, and will succumb to rotting fairly easily.
I would advise adding a little wettable sulfur and dolomitic lime to control the issue and correct the pH back after it kills the infection.
I would also advise removing the paper, at least out to a few feet from this plant, to allow it to dry thoroughly between watering.
This article will give you more information on the care of these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/agave/growing-agave.htm
Our drought tolerant landscape has some plants that were severely damaged in a heatwave of 107 degrees. The plants are echeveria and green agave whose leaves are shriveled and dried up. Is it possible these plants can be saved?
It's possible that they will recover in time with some supplemental watering.
Drought tolerant doesn't mean complete immunity to extreme water deficit, so don't hesitate to irrigate once or twice a week during a heat wave.
I have a number of Agave plants in the garden. I was in a homewares store and they had large clear glass vases with clean water in them and Agave plants growing in them. They were quite stunning and you could see masses of white roots in the bottom of the vases. I wanted to try this but when I dug up a plant from the garden the roots (except for an occasional one) were an unattractive blackish color. Can I chop off all the root section, place it in the clean water in the clear vase will it then grow new white roots as I saw in the store? Your advice would be appreciated.
I don't advise moving the agave plants from the garden soil to a water vase, and especially not to cut off the roots and hope they regrow.
Growing certain species of agave with hydoponic methods and materials may be possible, but I would recommend starting with plants that have been propagated for that purpose, not your garden transplants.
The homewares display is a showpiece curiosity and not conducive to long term plant health.
The blackening on the roots is representative of healthy humates and fungal associations that are vital for absorption of nutrients and protection from soil borne plant pathogens.
We have had lots of severe frosts here in NSW & our agavaes which were huge were severeley bitten, I have cut off the bitten "parts" of the leaves to aprox 4" buts, but I am now thinking should I take the buts right off to let the new leaves have room to come through ? thank you, Judy
It would be a good idea to go ahead and cut the affected leaves to the base. New leaves will sprout from the top of the plant. Here is more information on pruning cactus and agave. Methods will apply to both: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/cactus-pruning-info.htm
the edges of the leafs are being chewed up small pups also leveled
That is terrible! There are many things you can do to deter pests. One of my favorites would be Neem oil. I would suggest applying it on a cloudy day, or at least when the sun isn't directly on it. This link will take you to more articles on organic pest control: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/
A neighbour has just cut out some Agave, they were going in her garden. I was wondering if I planted some of the cuttings and placed them in pots, would they eventually grow a new root system?
It is possible if it is young enough. An old one will not be able to regenerate the roots as well. It would be to same procedure for splitting pups. I will include an article for that Here: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/agave/growing-agave.htm
Just acquired this plant. Planted it in cactus soil and placed it in the sun. It has steadily looked worse what am I doing wrong. Leaves are starting to curl now.
Use a potting mix of equal parts compost, good potting mix or garden soil, and either gravel, pumice, or sharp sand. Do not use peat moss; its acidity and its water-holding properties are not desirable for growing agaves.
Plant agaves so that the crown is well above the soil line and will stay that way as the soil subsides after watering. Feed with liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Provide plenty of light. Many agaves will tolerate full sun in containers, even in the desert, if kept sufficiently watered. Always water completely, and test to be sure the container is at least half dry before watering again.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/agave/growing-agave-plants-in-pots.htm