I have grown Agaves from seed. They are not particularly difficult but they are quite slow to gain any size. Agave parryi offsets are pretty common. You might try trading a plant you already have in quantity for an offset. See if there is a cactus/succulent club in your area--people are pretty generous with cuttings and offsets for new members.

I have already checked, the closest plant clubs and such are all the way over in Seattle. I should still check to see when they meet, maybe I will be able to make a weekend trip at some point over the summer. If anyone on here has offsets, just pm me.

And in the meanwhile... I saw that the Cactus Store had Agave parryi v cousei, and picked some up to try. I will still be looking out for offsets or cuttings in the meanwhile. I do not mind having a hoard of baby Agave cluttering up my windows for awhile until they are big enough to move outdoors. Of course, I say this now... :)

Hoovb - Hope Kim doesn't mind me asking something a little off the original topic, but I'm curious how long Agave stay small in pots.

I finally found one I liked but have no place for it outside and don't want a monster sized plant (since my space is limited):

Additional note: I did see this article but palmbob calls 18" in a pot small!

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3740#b

No worries on off topic posts, a purist would cringe if they read some of what we do to an original topic on the Hoya board. These are all starts at conversation, and I myself am curious in the answer, but with different intentions!

I read the palmbob article, very good information as is usual from palmbob.

'Cornelius' will get big eventually I've recently seen some 2'+ in diameter, and 'Cream Spike' ends up getting big also.

In pots I like pumila, nizandensis, pygmae 'Dragon Toes', bracteosa 'Monterrey Frost'--those look so pretty in a pot, are easy, are slow, stay small and won't offset like crazy. nizandensis and bracteosa have leaves that are easily broken so you must be careful with them. The variegated isthmensis stays small but it offsets a lot and fills the pot so requires maintenance, though of course that way you get new plants.

Just what I wanted to know! Thanks muchly. =)

My seeds arrived! Worried me a bit getting a tracking # from Phoenix Desert Nursery, they must be affiliated with the Cactus Store. For a second there I found myself wondering if I was ordering plants in my sleep!

I will start these once I get the stuff in order, at least the Agave and cacti species. The Agave seeds are much bigger than I expected, as are the Trichocereus. These will be MUCH easier to work with than those wretchedly tiny Mesembs!

If anyone has advice on sowing, by all means chime in. For now, I am thinking some kind of cactus mix amended with extra pumice, with a layer of sand on top. I will probably plant in plastic baked good containers, to help with humidity early on as well as for the excuse to buy baked goods.

Thanks!

Have never tried it but recall reading that strong chamomile tea will help deter damping off. Don't remember if it was to be sprayed on the media or watered.

I will look into that, thanks!

Is damping off a big concern with Agave?