x Mangave 'Macho Mocha'

16 years ago

How many of you are growing this relatively new introduction by way of Yuccado Nursery, who have passed it on to Tony Advent as well as San Marcos Growers here in California? I remember first seeing this at the JC Raulston Botanic Garden in North Carolina on a garden tour, and was simply blown away by its sculptural form and coloring, and found it hard to believe that it could stand up to USDA zone 7 conditions. I ended up buying a dozen plants and planting them in varying conditions in several client's gardens. I have to say it is one of my new favorite plants once it gets beyond the temperamental getting established stage where it seems every snail for miles around wants to chew the leaves. A year and a half later, they are all stunning accent plants that work with multiple planting schemes and garden types. Anyone else as impressed with this hybrid as I am?

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Comments (5)

dufflebag2002
16 years ago
Yep, I have it. Received it from the Huntington Gardens. I think there may be two forms of it. Now that you told me this, I think I shall set mine out tomorrow in my front yard garden. Thanks for the informationm, Will put out snail bate. My front garden is full of Agave. I guess it will fit in there well. Norma Lewis
wanda
16 years ago
I have one or 2. I first got interested in the Mangaves several years ago when I saw them at Ed Carmen's nursery in Los Gatos. My original one, although it wasn't "macho mocha' did not survive (probably my fault).
A few years later, once I determined I had a good spot for it, I bought 'Macho Mocha'. It didn't live. I bought another and it's survived, but not thrived. I have another in a pot that's hanging in there.
Either I'm doing something wrong, or the plant just doesn't like the San Jose climate.

How long do you thing they stay tempermental before they establish?
The one in the ground that's surviving is in a mixture of native soil and decomposed granite that's been built up about 2' and gets barely any summer water, in full hot sun. Am I doing it wrong?

wanda
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bahia
Original Author
16 years ago
Wanda,
i wonder if you have something attacking this at the roots? I only found it temperamental because I was growing it in 5 gallon containers in not enough sun, and it was being constantly attacked by snails in my front yard. Once I got them into the ground they were fine. I have planted them in both well drained soil and heavier clays, and all are receiving drip or overhead spray irrigation, and doing equally well. The one thing to keep in mind is that the leaves are quite fragile to mechanical damage, so plant them where they won't get brushed by a dragged hose or rambunctious large pets, as the leaves tear quite easily. I don't think it is a question of not liking the San Jose climate, try giving it a bit more irrigation and fertilizer. I also find it does well for me in cooler conditions, and even less than full day sun, but colors up the best with all day full sun. I've found that they seem to really take off once they have established new roots into the ground, and I have some that are now almost 3 feet across by 2 foot tall, with lots of pups at the base. I look forward to seeing this bloom for the first time, maybe in 2008?
philofan
16 years ago
Maybe I should plant mine in the ground too. I find it does not grow too fast, but that should speed things up. Post a photo if it one does bloom.
wanda
16 years ago
Thanks, David. I was under the impression that they didn't want any summer water. I'll try giving them more water. Pets and hoses are not a problem and I'm religious with the Sluggo.
I don't think anything is attacking the roots, or if it is, it's a very species specific entity.

Please post some pics of yours when it blooms!

wanda

x Mangave 'Macho Mocha'

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dufflebag2002

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x Mangave 'Macho Mocha'

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dufflebag2002

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philofan

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