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Cacti & Succulents

Help with agave pups

Rachel Sonoran desert, AZ 9A

6 years ago

I have a fabulous Beschorneria albiflora in my front yard that finally bloomed this year. I planted it as a young plant almost 4 years ago. The flower stalk was stunning! The flowers have now almost all fallen leaving behind seed pods.

Because most agaves die after blooming so I want to propagate this one. I've harvested some plump seed pods but would much rather start off with pups.

This plant has formed pups at the base of the flower stalk, in the center of the rosette, between leaves. How do I proceed? Should I wait in the hopes that pups will grow at the base of the plant? Should I wait for the plant to die off? Should I cut out the pups? If so, how can I do that without seriously damaging the mother plant? I'm attaching pictures that shows the pups very well. A few of those pups are at least 6 inches tall already. Please help!

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Comments (4)

Crenda 10A SW FL
6 years ago
Hi, Rachel! This plant is a relative of the Agave and not a true Agave itself. And I am happy to tell you that it will not die after blooming! Yea!!

I don't grow this plant (but may change my mind since yours is so pretty!), so I can't advise you about removing the pups. This plant will grow a stem, so maybe the pups can be some sort of branching? I'm only guessing because of where they are located. So lets hope someone else chimes in.

Really nice plant!
garrett222
6 years ago
Those look to me like new flower stalks. But don't worry, like Crenda said, it doesn't die after flowering.
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Rachel Sonoran desert, AZ 9A
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you very much for your reply Grenda! I am so happy to hear that my plant won't die from blooming. If it keeps growing though it might die from lack of space. Even though it's in the ground it's falling over onto the sidewalk. It is so incredibly heavy! Hopefully someone can suggest how to remove the pups so I can plant them elsewhere where they would have more space. It would also give me a chance to share this gorgeous plant with friends. ☺

Here it is in bloom already falling over
Rachel Sonoran desert, AZ 9A
Original Author
6 years ago
It would be wonderful if it was flower stalks! Thank you Garrett. The first flower stalk looked a lot different when I first noticed it but then again I it was already a couple of feet tall when I did. It grows so fast!

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