Agave is a type of succulent that grows in arid places, most often - the mountains.
Feels comfortable in Mexico, Africa, Asia and southern Europe.
Locals love to use the flower in medicinal purposes for its medicinal properties, as it has a disinfecting property.
This perennial plant has green, large, fleshy leaves, collected in a large rosette at the roots. Growing and caring for agave at home, flowering, description and photo later in our article.
Something agave reminds aloebut its leaves are wider. Often it has spines on the edges of the leaves, which easily cling to clothes.
Florists plant agaves usually in gardens, at hotels, as the flower is of large size. Popular types of Agave: American, Blue.
Usually Agave at home, grown dwarf or young plants.
Outdoor cultivation
Agave calmly transfers the temperature of central Russia. 20-28 ° C - perfect.
In the cold season, its better bring into the houseas soon as the temperature reaches 10 ° C.
Succulent does not tolerate such lows. In the cold it will die.
If it is not possible to grow in open ground, in the summer the agave must be taken out to fresh air, and even transplant to garden.
At the very least, airing the plant room should be regular.
Bloom
a photo
How does agave bloom? The plant is not one of those that will delight flowers every season. Agave throws a flower once, then the socket gradually dies off.
But there are several new shoots. Blooming Agave becomes no earlier than for 10 year. Peduncle long (3-9 meters), inflorescences paniculate, yellow-brown.
Not all flowers bloom at the same time, the full cycle passes in several months. Fruits resemble boxes of oblong shape, collected in clusters. Inside - flat dark seeds.
How to care for Agave at home at first?
Like most plants, after buying care for agave in the room will require attention:
It is advisable to transplant succulent. Land from the flower shop does not fit for a long life. New soil can be bought when choosing an agave.
Choose a suitable place, preferably not on the north window.
If the window sill is equipped with a backlight - great, if not - no big deal.
Do not move the flower, water and feed moderately.
Remember that a plant needs to get used to a new place, earth and pot.
The first weeks of agave will take root, and during this period it is important not to injure the leaves and roots.
Lighting
Succulent is absolutely undemanding to the light. It will grow under the direct rays of the sun, and with ambient light.
The side of the windows does not matter. If the place for the agave is the north side, take care of the illumination with phytolamps.
It may be too cool in winter, and there is almost no light.
But such a device is optional in winter on other sides. In the cold plant slows growth and even less becomes demanding of conditions.
Nutrients go to maintain life before the change of season is warmer, and the flower, as it were, “falls asleep” for a while.
Temperature conditions
Room temperature should not be below 18 ° CThe upper threshold is 28 ° C. Agave is a heat-loving plant, an apartment or house should be well heated in order for the plant to feel comfortable.
If you have high heat from batteries, hang a thermometer near the window opening. But rarely do additional protective measures are necessary, agave loves heat and grows better in it.
The flower is useful for airing, but if the degrees fall to 10 ° C, the agave may die.
Air humidity
Spray flower not necessary. Do not place bowls next to water or a humidifier. Usually in the apartments dry air, which is almost native to the agave in its natural habitat.
If the sockets become dusty, you can wipe them with a damp cloth or rinse with warm water. Do not forget after that, dry the sockets, otherwise stagnant water will cause the leaves and roots to rot.
Watering
Watering required rarealternating with nutritional supplements.
Two times a week - enough. Experts clarify that in winter you can water once a month.
Do not worry that this may not be enough. Agave - very unpretentious plant.
It is necessary to water at the very roots. Pouring on top of the outlet - it is impossible, the flower can not tolerate when they accumulate excess water.
Top dressing
When the plant is in the growing season, it is fed once a month. Suitable fertilizer for succulents and cacti. They have little nitrogen, and he, as a rule, causes the development of rot in large leaves.
Usually enough feeding once a month. If you do this more often, the soil will over-take on nutrients and they will harm the flower.
In winter, feeding agave is not necessary. At this time, the flower is resting.
Principles of transplantation
Often you can not replant the plant. In this case, the roots and leaves are injured, after the flower is difficult to recover.
There are three principles of agave transplantation:
- Young plants transplanted in the spring every year. Adults - only when needed (for example, the pot for the Agave has become small).
- Do not deepen the neck of the plant into the ground. It should rise above the soil. So agave will be more comfortable.
- For transplant do not choose flowering time. In extreme cases, cut the flower. To maintain it, most agave forces are leaving. Ideally, wait for the succulent to fade, and transfer to a new pot.
Breeding
Propagation of agave is carried out by seeds and children (leaf).
Seeds - not the best option. Plants grown from them, grow slowly.
But if you choose this method, the seeds are scattered on wet sand. early spring, maximum - the end of winter.
Babe is separated from the main plant with a knife.
After dry day and put in a new pot.
The soil there should be already prepared. Cover or spray a young plant not necessaryand watering is rare until agave is rooted properly.
Soil and pot
The plant will tolerate stony or loose soil. Where most flowers die, this one will grow.
At home, mix equally turf and coarse river sand. Or you can buy ready-made soil in a flower shop, suitable for succulents and cacti. Add to such mail baking powder - perlite or sand (about a third).
At the bottom of the pot pour a layer of drainage of expanded clay or other material. It's necessary for passing excessive moisture, because of which leaves and roots begin to rot.
Agave diseases and pests
Pests quickly kill agave. At the first sign follows process the flower special mixtures or folk remedies.
Shchitovka or thrips - The main enemies of the agave. If there are few pests, they are removed with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or vodka.
After wipe the leaves with a mixture of soap and garlic with the addition of water.
These are not bad ways, but in case of a massive defeat, you need to use the drugs Actellic, Karbofos, Intavir.
Agave is an unpretentious plant that can survive in central Russia, although it is used to the warm climate of Mexico and Asia.
Outwardly, it resembles aloe. Choose exactly which flower to plant at home, you can from fifty kinds of different colors and leaf shapes.
The flower has enough stony soil, diffused light and watering. It is important to comply temperature conditionbecause agave does not tolerate low temperatures.
But he likes ventilated rooms, where there is enough fresh air.
Despite resistance to agave conditions easily killed by peststherefore, do not start feeding and processing.
