Sick Agave Foxtail
This Agave Foxtail looks a bit sick to me. The leaves have a healthy green color but they are drooping down. What would cause a Foxtail to droop like this?
I was originally suspecting a lack of sunlight, but a companion plant on the other side that is in full shade has well-shaped leaves. So it is not sunlight.
I am thinking the soil may not be well drained enough. We may have improved the soil in that area with too much organic material while failing to elevate the plant sufficiently to guarantee good drainage. There is no sign of root rot.
Comments (8)
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
11 months agoRelated Discussions
albino or sick agave
Comments (1)Looks like no-one knows! Is it still alive?...See MoreRepotting a foxtail agave
Comments (4)Talk about coincidence - another poster asked about the same plant today, too, using the same common name! Depot it and you could likely cut off a third of the roots, set aside for a day or so, and repot in the same pot / different (larger) pot with fresh soil. How large depends on the rootball you wind up with after trimming it, but I'd give it an inch or three all around. Wait a few days after repotting before you water again. The cut-off roots may grow another plant, but I wouldn't bother - your mother plant will do the same soon enough. This post was edited by cactusmcharris on Mon, May 6, 13 at 23:33...See MoreSick Agave
Comments (2)Either it is rotting, or it is simply stressed by sun and heat, and isn't getting enough water, and is resorbing water from the older leaves at an accelerated rate. I suspect it is rot, but maybe not. Watering twice a week in hot, humid GA seems a bit much too me. Are they also getting afternoon thundershowers this time of year? My potted agaves get water every couple of weeks, and there is no rainfall at all. Unpot, remove the resorbed leaves, and examine the stem for rot. If there is soft, black stem, you can save the plant by transecting above the level of the rot. Then callous, plant on dry soil, and wait until the plant has roots before watering. If there is no rot, re-pot and enjoy the plant without the ugly leaves....See Moresick agave parryi
Comments (9)Thank you. I just went out and checked the soil, it was dry. I was unable to torque the central cone at all, it is very solid. I live in an 8b climate zone, the west side of the Sierra mountains at 3300' elevation. Our summers have many 100 plus degree days and winters as low as mid 20's normally. The location receives full sun. It has been planted there for about 6 years. I think your comments are likely right. How often would you water and is there any supplement I can use to help it heal?...See More
iochroma
11 months agolast modified: 11 months agowestes Zone 9b California SF Bay
11 months agowestes Zone 9b California SF Bay
11 months agowestes Zone 9b California SF Bay
11 months agolast modified: 11 months agoHere is the result of my Perc test. At time 0, there are eight inches of water from the bottom of my test ditch to the surface level of the soil. According to the article that @gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) supplied, at three hours (180 minutes) the height must be between 30% and 70% to be considered "well-draining soil". That corresponds to the values 2.4 and 5.6 inches from the base of the pit.
As can be seen on my time graph, at just prior to three hours I am cleanly in the middle of this target range.
Therefore, @ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5, I have "well-drained soil". So what do I do with that information to improve my plant?
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5