What is agave? This is a variation of succulents that grows in arid areas, usually in the mountains. The plant feels great in Africa, Asia, Mexico and southern Europe. Most indigenous people prefer to use this flower for medicinal purposes, as it is endowed with a disinfecting effect.
Agave has voluminous fleshy leaves that are combined into a large rosette near the roots.
The flower is similar to aloe, but has wider leaves, on the edges of which thorns can be located. The plant has a considerable size, so gardeners plant succulent, as a rule, in gardens, near hotels. American and blue agave are famous. Mostly dwarf or young flowers are grown in apartments.
Outdoor cultivation
Agave is a plant that can withstand the temperature of central Russia without any problems. 20–25 ° C are perfect for the flower. As soon as the air temperature drops below 10 ° C, it is better to transfer the plant to a warm room. In severe frosts, the flower dies. If it is not possible to grow the plant in the open field in the summer, it is recommended to put the agave in fresh air. At a minimum, ventilating a room with agave should be systematic.
Bloom
Agave does not apply to plants that will give you flowering joy every summer.
The plant throws a flower once, then it eventually dies, and in its place several new shoots are formed. Agave begins to bloom only in the tenth year. The size of the peduncle is from 3 to 9 m, the inflorescences are small, brownish-yellow in color. Flowers do not bloom immediately, but within a few months. Inflorescences are similar to elongated boxes accumulated in clusters. Inside are flat seeds of a dark color.
Popular types of agave: description
- American - is one of the most popular species. This is a large plant in which rosettes in the wild can reach three meters in diameter. Leaflets, as a rule, are greenish-blue, up to two meters long and about 25 cm wide. There are brown-red spikes on the sides of the leaf. It blooms for the tenth year. Several forms of this species are derived. Yellow-tipped American agave grows very slowly. A wide strip of light yellow is visible along the edge of the sheet. American Agave decorated is a small plant with a wide white-yellow stripe in the center of the leaf. American decorated white agave has a white stripe in the middle of the leaf.
- The fungus is small in size, rosettes with a diameter of about 1.5 m. Greenish-gray leaves, reduced at the base, increase to the middle and decrease again, turning into a white spike. Spikes can be seen on the sides of the leaves.
- Nitsesnova - compact succulent with beautiful leaves of a dull green color, along the edges of which are long white fibers, and at the end of the leaves there is a small spine.
- Queen Victoria's agave is one of the most interesting forms. The rosette has a spherical shape and reaches a diameter of 40-60 cm. Leaflets of greenish color are decorated with oblique white stripes. The leaf looks like a triangle with an edge on the inside. Spines are visible only on a leaf plate.
- Potato-like is a decorative type of agave, but is not yet common in home floriculture. The leaf rosette is approximately 25 cm. The greyish-green leaves with a wax coating of blue have a spade-like shape. At the ends of the leaves there are dark red spines, which are also on the edge.
- Compressed is the most unusual kind. It has narrow leaves and dense rosettes of spherical shape. The older the plant, the more rosettes it appears.
Care Features
Once you have purchased agave, it is recommended to transplant it, as the soil from the flower shop is not suitable for the long existence of the plant. Agave needs to be put in a sunny place. If there is a backlight, it’s good, but not - uncritical. It is recommended to water the flower, feed it and not rearrange it. Agave needs time to adapt to a new place, pot and earth. In the first few weeks, the flower will take root, so it is important not to damage the roots and leaves of the plant.
Lighting
Agave indoor completely unpretentious to lighting. It grows in direct sunlight and with slight dimming. If you put the plant on the north side, then set the phytolamps as the backlight. In the cold season, agave growth slows down. Nutrients support the condition of the flower until the onset of the warmer season. For the winter, agave “falls asleep”.
Temperature mode
Agave is a heat-loving plant, so the room in which it grows should be well heated, then the flower will feel comfortable. Agave needs regular ventilation and the air temperature is not lower than 10 ° C, otherwise the plant dies.
Air humidity
Agave does not need spraying. It is also not recommended to put a container with water or a humidifier next to the flower.
Typically, apartments have dry air suitable for the plant. If the plant has dusty rosettes, then they can be wiped with a damp cloth. After this procedure, do not forget to dry them, otherwise the leaves will rot.
Watering
Rare spraying alternate with nutritious top dressing. About twice every seven days will be enough. As growers say, agave should be watered once a month in winter. Agave is an undemanding plant. Watering is carried out at the roots, from above it is not recommended, since moisture will accumulate in outlets, rot will form.
Top dressing
During the growing season, the flower should be fed once a month. You can use fertilizers for cacti. They mainly contain a small amount of nitrogen, and it contributes to the development of rot in the leaves. If you fertilize more often, then nutrients will accumulate, which, in turn, will harm agave. In winter, top dressing is not required, as the plant is resting.
Landing rules
You can’t constantly transplant succulents, during this operation the roots are damaged, it is difficult for the leaves and plant to recover. There are three rules for a flower transplant. Every year in spring, a young plant is transplanted. Adult flower - as needed, for example, if the pot has become too small. Do not fall asleep on the neck of the agave, it should be above the ground. In this position, the plant will feel great. Agave should be transplanted when it is not blooming.
In a pinch, remove the flower; agave (photo above) spends most of its strength on its growth. But it is best to wait until the flower fades, and only then to deal with its transplant.
Breeding
Agave can be propagated by seeds or children. Seeds are not the best choice, since the plant then grows very slowly.
But if you nevertheless chose this method, then the seeds are planted in early spring, maximum at the end of winter. When propagating by children, they are first separated from the main plant with a sharp knife. Then dried for twenty four hours and planted in a pot. Land must be prepared in advance. A rare watering is required until the plant takes root and gets used to a new place.
Soil preparation
For cultivation of agave at home, stony or loose soil is perfect. Where most of the flowers die, agave will grow. In domestic conditions, coarse river sand and turf are mixed in equal amounts. Or you can buy ready-made soil in the store. Baking powder, for example, sand or perlite, is added to the soil. Drainage is installed at the bottom, this is required to pass excess water, because of which the roots and leaves rot.
Diseases and Pests
Parasites quickly destroy the plant. As soon as you notice the first signs of defeat, the agave must immediately be treated with special mixtures. As a rule, the main plant pests are scale insects and thrips.
If they are present in small quantities, they are removed with an alcohol cotton swab. Next, wipe the leaves with an aqueous solution of soap and garlic. This method helps with a small infection, but if there are a lot of pests, then Actellik or karbofos should be used. Agave is a picky plant that can survive in the middle lane, despite being used to the climate of Asia and Mexico.
In appearance, agave is similar to aloe. There is a huge selection of plants, as more than 50 different types of agave are known. Succulents lack stony soil, ambient light and watering. It is necessary to monitor the temperature regime and constantly ventilate the room where agave grows. The plant dies very quickly due to pests, for this reason do not forget about fertilizing and processing.
Agave: useful properties
Of most species, plants produce ropes, ropes, twine and other coarse fabrics. Waste paper is used to make wrapping paper. Some species of succulents are bred in tropical areas to produce fiber.
Citric acid and bee feed are extracted from the flower stalk juice, and the pulp is used to make soap.
From the sugary juice of the plant, which is collected before flowering begins, a pulque is prepared - a traditional Mexican alcoholic drink. And the core of the agave is used to produce strong alcoholic beverages such as tequila and mezcal. And besides, juice is used as a laxative and painkiller. Due to the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of agave, the plant is used for respiratory diseases.
The roots of some plant species are also used in medicine. American agave leaves contain steroidal saponins, which are used for the synthesis of hormonal drugs - cortisone, progesterone.
On the basis of agave, they produce drugs for external use, which are used for rheumatism and radiculitis, for breast diseases, bruises or sprains.
Indoor agave with its decorative look will bring unusual notes to the interior, both a single plant and in compositions.