Mine has not pupped since it went into the ground in 2003, but that doesn't mean it couldn't. Many Agaves pup young, making whole colonies quickly. Others are less prolific.

You got the right plant, although right now it looks like the A. f.r. version, now included with A. v.r. as a single species. Don't remove those pups for a year or more. Let them get big enough to stand the stress. No worries, you just got some bonus plants in your trade. Congratulations!

I have heard that they like to grow on a slant. I keep killing mine. So this time I am slanting it in an outdoor bed. So far so good. All my agaves are outdoor plants.

I know someone whose Agave victoria-regina pupped unexpectedly early like yours. She was thrilled. :) And I adore this plant too. I've been lookin' for it at local nurseries as to escape the shipping cost.

Paul,

You're definitely not alone. Here is mine, acquired around Christmas.

{{gwi:582717}}

Nancy

That's almost a cultivar by now.
Due to mainly vegetative propagation of this species for a long time already plants with a young and prolific pupping trait have been furthered.

Jordi

Paul and Nancy,

That's just peachy for your plants! I don't have this species, but as Jordi notes, the prolific pupping property of some plants have been used to make those the predominant clones for nurseries. What's happening with your plants is probably the same as how my Agave pumila pupped when it too was very young, though not as young as yours.

Thanks folks!