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Nigel_of_the_jungle
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:03 pm Posts: 154 Location: Bath, Somerset UK
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Agave americana prognosis?
Removed the canopy over the dry bed today, which revealed what looks to be rot in my large Agave americana. I had noticed a while ago that the leaves were yellowing, though hoped this would green up once the growing season got going. Now I suspect it will be a downward spiral, until its ultimate demise
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Sat Mar 20, 2021 1:56 pm |
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Kev Spence
Site Admin
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:59 pm Posts: 10902 Location: Loughborough, Leics, central UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
My experience lives up to your expectations once the rot sets in its doomed I tell you!
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Sat Mar 20, 2021 7:27 pm |
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Martinnicklin
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2012 9:06 pm Posts: 2675 Location: Telford UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
Don't be too quick to write it off. I have had several Agaves seem to have rotted in the centre. If kept dry the rotten parts can callus over especially if you can remove the really mushy bits. I have a nice blue titanota which was completely rotten in the centre but the rot had not worked it's way deep into the core and a brand new centre emerged from within the heart of the plant. Now you can't even tell it lost the original growth point as the new one has taken over where the dead one left off and has grown away as normal. Others I have had and the rotted core has forced pups to develop almost like when we deliberately core an agave to make it produce pups. Sadly, a couple have been lost as the rot was just too deep. As I say, keep it dry, give it time, remove any soggy areas and it might just surprise you.
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Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:11 pm |
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Stan
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:52 pm Posts: 10687 Location: Hayward- S.F. Bay area Ca.
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
It might help now or later Nigel to dig out the rot and pour Hydrogen Peroxide. You will see it fizz as it reacts with gram negative bacteria- the bad guys. Interesting that I use HP in my aquariums and you can see it fizz algae- not the higher plants and eventually the algae turn white and disintegrate. Hydrogen Peroxide is a must have fixer.
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Sat Mar 20, 2021 11:59 pm |
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Nigel_of_the_jungle
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:03 pm Posts: 154 Location: Bath, Somerset UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
I have a bit of a dilemma now, as I'm due to pick up a reasonably large Butia tomorrow, which I need to dig up and transplant, so I'm toying with the idea of replacing the Agave with this. Alternatively I can plant it elsewhere, and persevere with the Agave in the hope that I can stop the rot. The Butia would be an ideal replacement, as it would give that immediate impact that the Agave already does, plus it won't do the palm any good if I plant it elsewhere, only to dig it up again in a years time, and replace the Agave then... decisions, decisions
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Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:35 am |
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Kev Spence
Site Admin
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:59 pm Posts: 10902 Location: Loughborough, Leics, central UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
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Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:07 am |
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Nigel_of_the_jungle
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:03 pm Posts: 154 Location: Bath, Somerset UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
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Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:50 am |
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Martinnicklin
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2012 9:06 pm Posts: 2675 Location: Telford UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
Here is my plant. A year ago I would have said it had no chance but a new core has arisen!
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Sun Mar 21, 2021 2:56 pm |
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Nigel_of_the_jungle
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:03 pm Posts: 154 Location: Bath, Somerset UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
Decided to leave the Agave alone for now, and see if it can be rescued. Planted the Butia in the raised bed behind instead, and I'm pretty happy with it. Aching in places I haven't ached for a while mind! Here it is before we dug it up... Had to dig a trench all the way around, and then chop through underneath with a mattock. We managed to get a good sized root ball. Didn't take any photos of us getting it into the van, as was too busy trying not to buckle under the weight of the thing! Glad to get it planted up!
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Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:03 pm |
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Laurence
Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2018 11:34 am Posts: 1822 Location: Weston- Super- Mare. North Somerset UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
Nigel, What sort of canopy did you house your Agave in?. I removed my canopy today and some of the upper leaves were also partly yellow on my Agave but cannot see no rot and hoping it will grow out. I used a polythene cover to keep the centre dry but i suppose could have done a better job if I had more time to stop rain coming in from the sides (only covered up in January as very cold weather was predicted at some point) but after getting stabbed numerous times by the unfriendly spines i was not in the mood to a perfect job on it. But the centre of the plant although dry is more condensation than wet. I would have thought it the sides were open that would have helped?. Maybe try yellow sulphur (fungicide treatment) Nigel as for rot on Dahlias. This may counteract it if you cut out the dead brown bit and then treat it. i have never used yellow sulphur in this way. Try it and tell me if it works as an idea...
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Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:24 pm |
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Kev Spence
Site Admin
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:59 pm Posts: 10902 Location: Loughborough, Leics, central UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
Nigel that looks impressive I guess it may sulk for a year before getting going lets hope for a mild one next winter. Will you hit it with fertiliser my go to is Maxicrop seaweed
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Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:06 pm |
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Nigel_of_the_jungle
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:03 pm Posts: 154 Location: Bath, Somerset UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
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Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:12 pm |
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Nigel_of_the_jungle
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:03 pm Posts: 154 Location: Bath, Somerset UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
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Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:19 pm |
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Martinnicklin
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2012 9:06 pm Posts: 2675 Location: Telford UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
I don't think you will have a problem with the agave Nigel, looking at these pics, especially as you have left it in situ. I think moving it would have added to the stress and some of my Agaves have been sulking for 4 years! They can be stubborn until they get going. The palm looks amazing, as do your raised beds. Should look fabulous in a couple of years. Looking forward to updates.
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Sun Mar 21, 2021 9:03 pm |
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Nigel_of_the_jungle
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:03 pm Posts: 154 Location: Bath, Somerset UK
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Re: Agave americana prognosis?
Thanks Martin, and I hope you're right, as I'd be gutted if I lost it...
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Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:10 pm |
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