Agave albopilosa is found in a high altitude area of the nature reserve of La Huasteca in the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico. It grows in the open sun areas in the cracks of limestone rocks. This species can tolerate the cool and foggy weather that is observed in its natural habitat...
Agave albopilosa also called as The White Hair Agave, is a species of the genus Agave. This species was described by I.Cabral, Villarreal & A.E.Estrada in 2007.
IDENTIFY AGAVE ALBOPILOSA
Agave albopilosa is found in a high altitude area of the nature reserve of La Huasteca in the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico. It grows in the open sun areas in the cracks of limestone rocks. This species can tolerate the cool and foggy weather that is observed in its natural habitat.
It is a small succulent plant that forms single or bushy rosettes with numerous narrow leaves. This species is unique and from the rest of Agave it is distinguished by a ring of white hair-like fibers on the tips of leaves, from afar similar to cotton balls. There are no white hairs on the young leaves, but then the horny spines on the tips of the leaves resembling a sharpened pencil open and release a bunch of snow-white fibers.
The White Hair Agave blooms in end of spring from 45-120 cm long, unbranched inflorescence which appears in late spring with campanulate, greenish-purple, 2-2.5 cm long, 8-10 mm wide flowers. Fruits of the capsule, elongated, almost triangular in section, 10-12 mm long, 8-10 mm wide. Seeds are black, 2 mm in diameter.
AGAVE ALBOPILOSA CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Agave albopilosa prefers light shading to full sun but prefers some afternoon shade during the hottest summer month to avoid being fried by sun.
Temperature:
Despite the fact that The White Hair Agave can tolerate freezing to -7-8 ° C, in culture, minimum temperatures should be above 0 ° C. In areas where there is no frost, the plant can be successfully grown in the outdoor.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Agave albopilosa loves well-drained soil with the addition of a small amount of limestone.
Watering:
In spring and summer, the plant is watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out a little between waterings. Good ventilation is necessary. Do not over moisten. In winter and during the rest period, keep this succulent in a rather dry state.
Fertilizer:
You can feed the plant only twice a year: in April and in July, using a water-soluble high-pot fertilizer.
Diseases and pests:
The White Hair Agave may be attacked by mealybugs and scale. It is necessary to check the new plant for pests before settling it in a house or a greenhouse.
Reproduction:
This Agave reproduces by the seed method or by the suckers produced occasionally at the base of the stems in the spring. The shoots are rooted in moist soil, periodically spraying them. The light must be filtered.
Germination: Start this succulent seeds in a 50/50 mix of commercial soil and sifted crushed granite. Cover the seeds in a small plastic pot with a small measure of the soil mixture. Usually this is about the diameter of the seed. They should not be placed very deep into the soil. They should be just below the surface. Set the pot in a pan of distilled water and leave there until you see that the soil is wet. Remove the pot and then allow to drain for several minutes. Cover the pot with a plastic bag and secure with a rubber band. Set the seedling on a windowsill where it will receive diffused light instead of direct sunlight. The seedling will begin to sprout after about 4 weeks.
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