Al Agave attenuata it is known colloquially as swan neck or dragon agave. It is a type of plant native to Jalisco, Mexico, which can also be found throughout Central America and in the southwestern United States. It has great ornamental value and is widely used for garden decoration. The care of Agave attenuata they are pretty straightforward.
In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about caring for your Agave attenuata, what are their characteristics and what uses are given to them.
Key features
There are 300 to 500 species of the genus Agave. Some are used to extract raw materials from tequila, while others stand out for their ornamental value. The last group is the agave, which is fascinated by its peculiar appearance.
In simple terms, it is called a gooseneck or dragon agave. It is a native specimen from the state of Jalisco, Mexico, and also appears in Central America and the southwestern United States. In the wild, it grows on a mountain at an altitude of 2500 meters, which is unimaginable. Live 30 to 100 years. Its flowering occurs between spring and summer.
First of all, it must be said that among all the agaves, the agave is the only one that has a trunk. Its height is usually not more than one meter and the width of the stem is between 50 and 60 cm. Its leaves are oval, wide at the base and narrow at the tip. They are 70 cm long and 16 cm wide.
Its color is very attractive. It combines gray, straw color and light green tones. It does not have thorns, so it is a safe option to put it in the garden when there are children, the elderly or pets. Each specimen of agave has a bloom. When it occurs, its flowers will appear in solid clusters ranging from 2,5 to 3 meters in height. As a result, they bend to mimic the trunk of an elephant. Its tones range from yellow to soft green.
After flowering, the base of the trunk will be covered with suckers, which will help the breeding process. Transplanting them is enough to maintain the beauty of the agave. This plant produces fruit in capsules, although it is a bit unusual. In most cases, the fertilized ovaries fall off prematurely. This explains the appearance of suction cups.
From
It is an endemic plant of the state of Jalisco in eastern Mexico. It can reach a height of 150 cm, and over time, as the leaves fall, the stem is still visible. They are arranged in rosettes, ovate, gray to greenish yellow, 70 cm long and 12-16 cm wide.
The flowers are greenish-yellow clusters and can grow up to 3 meters tall. Like other agaves, after wilting, the specimens die, which is why this species is considered a single-fruit plant. Its fruits are capsules, but are generally not seen because they tend to fall before ripening.
Agave attenuata care
Moderate care and low maintenance make it a plant in high demand. If you want to have one of these at home, you can consider these suggestions. Agave attenuata it can tolerate frosts of no less than -2ºC, even in moderate drought.
The soil must be limestone, sandy and fertile. The gardener should check if the acidity is neutral, if it has optimal drainage and if it is fertile. This will ensure their growth and subsequent multiplication. Although it can withstand dry and poor soils, this condition is far from adequate for its development.
- When growing in tropical environments, benefits from the direct effects of ultraviolet rays. However, it can also be placed in partial shade.
- Proper irrigation is needed throughout the year to avoid troublesome flooding at all times. It is a species susceptible to the risk of exaggeration.
- Before watering the agave, check that the soil is completely dry. With the arrival of winter, watering should be stopped.
- Summer is the ideal season to fertilize with compost products. In early spring, you can supplement the mineral humus used on cacti.
- Pruning is generally not necessary. However, it is better to use scissors when there are barbs at the end of the blades.
- Be very careful when removing the leaves. They secrete a very irritating sap for the eyes and skin.
Diseases, pests and reproduction
Another reason to grow agave in the garden is its wide resistance to pests and diseases. However, agave insects are believed to affect species in the desert areas of Arizona.
The safest reproduction begins with the use of shoots with parental specimens. In the same way, you can use seed multiplication, but the flowering time is longer. For this reason, few people choose this technique. Agave reproduction lacks "secret" or infallible remedies. You just need to prepare for the transplantation of young specimens.
Due to its shape and color, it is widely used as a decorative species. Therefore, it is planted near parks, recreation areas, terraces or swimming pools. It looks great in the center of the garden because it can effortlessly enhance the overall effect.
Some care of the Agave attenuata
Depending on where we are going to have it in the garden planted directly or in a pot, we must use a different substrate. Let's see what they are in each case:
- Yard: It grows in light, sandy soils with good drainage. If you have something that does not meet these characteristics, make a planting hole of at least 50 cm x 50 cm and fill it with pumice stone.
- Pots: You can use high-quality cacti and succulent soil, pumice stone, or even a common mixed perlite substrate.
From early spring to late summer, it is recommended to fertilize from time to time, once a month or once every fifteen days, using cactus and succulent fertilizer according to the instructions on the package.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about caring for the Agave attenuata.