Agave americana succulents is native to Mexico, and the United States in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. Today, it is cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant.
Agave americana succulents, also called as sentry plant, century plant, maguey or American aloe, is a species of flowering plants in the genus Agave. This genus was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
IDENTIFY AGAVE AMERICANA SUCCULENTS
Agave americana succulents is native to Mexico, and the United States in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. Today, it is cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant. Century plant is one of the most popular plants in culture. Its leaves are often curved above the middle, which is a distinctive feature of this species. The plant is used in medicine, in the food industry, fibers are made from its leaves for the production of ropes and coarse fabrics, as well as an alcoholic beverage.
It is a medium or large sized succulent, single or bushy, the main outlet of which can reach 3 meters in diameter with short and thick stem that carry fleshy and large, lanceolate, tapering to the top, usually pointed, flat or grooved, light gray-green to gray-green, sometimes variegated, up to 90–200 cm long and 9–25 cm wide leaves.
Century plant in areas with a warm climate blooms at 10-30 years of age, and in colder regions in 60 years. After flowering, Agave dies. The flowers are tubular, graceful, erect, 6–10 cm long, yellow-green in color.
Some varieties of this species: Agave americana f. aureo-marginata with a wide yellow stripe running along the edges of the leaves; Agave americana var. expansa with smaller sizes and leaves with a grayish-white or creamy-white broad band in the center; Agave americana var. picta with the variable yellow or whitish stripes on the leaf plate; Agave americana subs. protamericana with a greater variety of thorns and leaf colors, which, as a rule, are shorter, more compact and wider; Agave americana subs. protamericana cv. Blue Steel with beautiful wide leaves of bluish steel color.
AGAVE AMERICANA SUCCULENTS 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:
Temperature:
In warm climates, Agave americana can be grown outdoors. Theoretically, it can withstand temperatures as low as –9 ° C, especially if it is kept in a dry state, but minus temperatures should be avoided. In regions with colder climates, Agave is grown indoors, but in the summer it is better to keep the plant outdoors, for example, on the balcony.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
American aloe prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil with the addition of sand or gravel.
Watering:
This species grows rather quickly if it receives enough water in summer, but before the next watering the substrate of the plant should dry out completely. In winter, this plant is rarely watered, just to prevent the leaves from wrinkling.
Reproduction:
Propagated by basal offspring, which are often formed around the plant. In spring or summer you need to separate the offspring, allow it to dry for several days and then land in the ground.
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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