Agave lophantha ? Really that slow to pup...?

11 years ago

Was reading up on this Agave and at least two sites say it's slow to pup, relatively speaking.

Curious about others' experiences with this Agave... are we talking 2,3,4 or more years before a pup appears?

One thing I also realized - I have to start thinking 'plants first' - my selfishness second. My tendancy to place favorite plants in locations where I can see them more often [near the front door] may bring me joy but it doesn't mean the plant is going to be happy.

This Agave probably would like a little more sun - maybe that will make it wanna pup ;-) ;-) ???

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Comments (6)

paracelsus
11 years ago
You have the highly desirable A. Lophantha 'Quadracolor'. Mine is a little bigger, and gets lots of sun. I removed two pups when repotting a couple of years ago, and it has six poking out from below now.

It is likely that yours has made a stolon or two that you will find if you remove the plant froms its pot. It might enjoy a larger container, and more sun is always welcome. Pups tend to show all four colors, including red leaf edges, more than larger specimens. Give it time, it will pup eventually. :-)

Happy growing,

Brad
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paracelsus
11 years ago
Wow, I didn't look closely enough! I see your plant is in the ground, not in a container. It will pup eventually, and looks big enough now. Be patient.

Brad
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That is a different type of agave that you are describing, probably an americana. It does that branchy act when blooming. The A vilmmoriniana has a single cylindrical column and every flower and there are thousands of them turn into a bulbil. Not quite as tall as what you have pictured , but many more blossoms and many more bulbils. I have seen the americana put out a 25' inflorescence many a time. Very imposing. I have heard that they can reach higher in a perfect environment. BUT i have not seen this agave type bloom. I have heard the californians on an agave forum talk about the incredible number of bulbils this agave gets so when I saw it , I knew immediately what it . I have an Agave lophantha and a Agave gemniflora blooming. The Gemniflora was a multiple headed agave and it is sending out 4 separate bloom stalks. The deer broke one, but the rest are good to go. The lophantha is about 15 ' and stuck in an oak tree..Both are a single colomn structure more like a really dense manefreda.
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growforit
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi Paracelus - Thanks for the info... I remember your name +++ and the beautiful plant photos you've posted here and there...

I think this agave is just a hair over 5" wide and it's been in the ground for about 2 years. Really feel it needs more sun though, in fact I know it does...

?? Comment if you'd like ---- do you think moving it into more sun will have an impact on it's future pupping [or non-pupping ;-)] ?? It's gotta move anyhow but curious if the move means much regarding pupping...

One nursery website says it can grow up to 18" tall and 2 feet wide!!! Sounds perfect, a non-gigantic variegated agave...
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wantonamara Z8 CenTex
11 years ago
Mine is slow to grow and slow to pup. They probably need more sun, better soil , etc. So I don't know what to tell you. I need to listen up myself.
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lzrddr
11 years ago
This variety seems slow to sucker/pup... which I personally like as I am not fond of the suckering look. Mine has been in a pot for 4 years now, started about your size and still has not suckered. Mine gets half day sun. No fertilizer. Seems happy as can be. On the other hand, I have another 'ordinary' Agave univittata (the current name for this species) and it has a gabillion suckers on it.. yikes.. .probably should repot it as some suckers are little hanging out of the pot. Looks terrible, too.
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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
11 years ago
I have 3 offsets now after 2 years in the ground. They offset at a nice pace. The lophantha species offsets like crazy and makes a pest of itself. This one is just right, a few, but not too many.
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Agave lophantha ? Really that slow to pup...?

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paracelsus

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Agave lophantha ? Really that slow to pup...?

Comments (6)

paracelsus

paracelsus

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growforitOriginal Author

wantonamara Z8 CenTex

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