It is a stunning agave when it gets big, so I can see how one could become obsessed with it. In my own case, I prefer to select plants when I can see both the young ones and the parent, but that of course is easier to do here in California. Good luck with your search, and I'd suggest posing your question on best forms/sources to the Xeric World forum, lots more experienced collectors and growers there who could really answer this question.

I am a visiter there and I have asked them and listened to them. A couple of the photos have been on there already.

Mara,

Agave lust - it's a powerful force and more power to you.

The link's got one, too.

Here is a link that might be useful: You don't have to be a Starr Agave, but it helps

Oh, feel the passion. I have that same lust for Agave ovatifolia (Whale's Tongue Agave). I just need to find a large enough spot on my front slope for one!! Just gorgeous.

Patty S.

For me its the baccarrat! I love the color and markings. It just doesn't grow large enough. My gentry did not agree with our east coast winters.

hoosierquilt- Ovatifolia is by far my favorite agave. I have 3 planted, one grew over 2' last year. Doubling in size the first year in the ground.

Another baccarat...found this one at Plant Delights..nice!

Here is a link that might be useful: A. montana 'Baccarat'

This time it looks like the more knowledge that I have about this species has not help me by giving me a the filter for discernment but given me more to want. Cactucmcharris, I had already been to Gregg's site and got 3 more. Thank god I have a goodly piece of land. I think the cluster will look great in amongst the cedar and small spanish Oaks. Every thing looks wild here. Maybe, if I am still not sated, I will hit up YUccadoo. I caN DRIve there and look at theirs and if they don't pass muster ( I am getting picky) I can switch my order to A portrerana ( or however they spell it). That is another good agave for those who need cold and wet and on my list.

Tom, their Baccarat at PD looks a little heavy in the teats....OH I am bad,.... but really they do, compared to a lot of the other photos that I have seen of A montana baccarrat that have a flat space between the teats.The leaf shape is different from what I am seeing also, but who am I to argue wit Mr. PD. He has got to know more than me . I just have a degree from University of Google.

I too am Ovatifolia crazy. I have some sizable ones and I am looking for some crenelated ovatifolias. They have never offset so I need to plan for some replacements. That is next on my list after I finish this present obsession. This year is shaping up as the year of the Agave.

Is it asking too much for my babies to grow up into these Mamas? I found this picture at HCG (below in the URL slot). They just sold out of them. They were there a month ago. I have seen a lot of other pictures where it is a little more glaucous and the shape of the leaves are a bit more spoon sped, not as flat and not as heavily marked, but still gorgeous.

If any one out there has a A. montana, can you post pictures of your plant. What Zone, hummid , rain conditions that you are growing it and what is your experience with hot sun, cold etcetera. I have heard from Yuccaddoo (they have pictures of some too) who has been selling them for years that the Agave montana is not keen on heat and humidity. I think they don't like the long extended hot and sun. I am dryer than east Texas but definitely more Hummid than points west, but extended hot we do in spades, so I am thinking that they will need protection from afternoon shade. Our nights cool down much more rapidly than a few miles to the East. One might say that I am banking on this factor. They are a high agave of north East Mexico so they do get moisture in the Occidental mountains unless they grow in the rain shadows. There heat is not as extreme as it is in Texas. m It must be nice. Cool dry summers. that is almost a oxymoron.

There was mention that the agave somewhere on the East coast did not like it around 16F. I wonder if that was a wet 16F with wet ground or if it is the first year and it was in the ground and un protected. I have found that agaves are much more tender the first year that they sare in the ground and then they will harden up in subsequent years. I am banking on that also. I have seen variable hardiness rating on this one. some say 16F some say zone 7. Are there people out there reading this that growing these guys in non optimal areas? Does it need esxtra water in extended heat. Does it like protection from sun in high heat, or protection from cold in wet cold areas. What is your experience?

Here is a link that might be useful: High country Garden A . Montana 'Baccarrat'

Mamas, don't let your Agaves grow up to be solos
Let 'em be pupping and plentiful and such
Don't let 'em be lonesome and single too much

I'm deeply delighted at the the Agavemania that's on display here.

That is the thing, The montanas don't pup to much. Like the ovatafolias. God, the knock dead gorgeous ones are frustrating in their solo habit. One has to wait for them to die to get a baby and then it is a seed or bulbil if one is lucky. The tissue culture plants are still not as vital as the seed grown or pupped plants, or so I hear. But I guess it is less weeding than one will have to do amongst the barbs and teeth...

Agave montana and Greg Starr, says you? Yes, says, me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stalking

Yes, I have seen those pictures. I do lurk there and have learned gobs.

Wantonamara, I'm beginning to worry about you. On the the other hand, I think you have lots of company in your obession.

Yes I do seem to go on jags. It was opuntias not to long ago, and then aloes. I have been aquiring agaves all along but things have definitely picked up around them. They do well here. Or some of them at least. The heat is the only thing that I worry about these. They are from about 6 hour drive south from here but it is a lot different. It is cooler in the summer there.