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chasingcenturies

A very bright morning in Agaveville

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Comments (33)

  • jojosplants
    11 years ago

    Beautiful!!
    Love the 3rd one!

    It is a very nice morning here today. :-)

    JoJo

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Thank you. Early morning sun may be harsh, but I can never resist the bright colors it evokes!

  • hanzrobo
    11 years ago

    Wow! You are living the dream.
    You're going to get all these nice folks even more hooked on Agaves than they already are (for some that's not possible).

  • jojosplants
    11 years ago

    What part of Arizona are you in?
    I'm in Tucson.
    JoJo

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Hi there! Tucson is a true Mecca for Agaves, much more so than my neck of the woods. You have some fabulous cactus/Agave nurseries, i.e. Bachs, B & B, Arid Lands, etc. I'm in the VOTS, more or less -- Fountain Hills.

    This post was edited by GermanStar on Thu, Nov 29, 12 at 13:49

  • wantonamara Z8 CenTex
    11 years ago

    I just love that first one. If it ever pups....hmmm.. What type is it ? I know you mentioned it but I forgot.

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    #1 is a bit of a mystery. It definitely has some substantial A. salmiana going on, but it just doesn't look quite right. My guess is an A. salmiana/A. americana hybrid. It has a small basal pup now, but it's wedged under a lower leaf and I can't get to it. When that leaf dies (likely next summer) and I have a shot at removing it, you're welcome to it.

  • wantonamara Z8 CenTex
    11 years ago

    I recognized the Salmiana in it. I have a recurving Salmiana ferox but I love the lean tallness and the marginal teeth are so un teated on this one compared to mine. It's form is beautiful. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against teats,,, LOL , I couldn't help myself.

  • TT, zone 5b MA
    11 years ago

    Ahhh-gaves! Cannot get enough of them...very nice!

    Please tell me the name of the one in the third pic from the top...?

    Thanks!

    Tom

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    That is A. zebra. You'll find another example of A. zebra in Pic #2.

  • cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
    11 years ago

    So it's that kind of party.... Here's a not-so-bright one (5:49 a.m. in May) that I must have got from a Mesan friend and occasional visitor here - is this too A. zebra?

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    Thank you,

    Jeff

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    I dun tink so. Looks more like A. americana from here....

  • cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
    11 years ago

    I told you I'm terrible with IDing them - if it isn't A. applanata 'Cream Spike' I don't know what it is. I've got Greg's book, but don't have it, if you know what I mean, but will have it when I meet you. Thanks - that's one down and 13 to go.

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    A couple more from this morning...

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  • chadec
    11 years ago

    Beautiful agaves all. But Im definitely going to get a A. zebra now! I really need to relocate to a warmer climate.

  • wantonamara Z8 CenTex
    11 years ago

    A. zebra is on my short lust over list but I am still a bit wary of it because it is very moisture intolerant or that is what I am lead to believe from its description.

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Yes, A. zebra is considered one of the more xeric species, but on the plus side, it's relatively hardy and tolerates full sun (always a plus here in the Valley). I have four of 'em, and a few highly cherished pups, as well (A. zebra is typically solitary).

  • TT, zone 5b MA
    11 years ago

    An A. zebra in every pot, I say!

    One for me too...I poked around a bit, looking for a pot-sized specimen that might be available. Not much luck, and not sure if shipping this time of year is a good idea...

    I also think they get pretty hefty, no?

    If you guys bump into any that are available, would you please post?

    Thank you!

    Tom

    Tom

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Not one of your larger Agaves, see Post #1, Pic #2 for a sense of scale. The Agave in back is only about 4' across.

  • wantonamara Z8 CenTex
    11 years ago

    4 ' is not large to me but large for those that depend on greenhouses to get them through the winter. I would guess that I am barely marginal here. cold sometimes comes with wet. not this winter, but some. This winter, no cold, no rain in over 2 months. It is a desert agave from the Sonoran desert mountains of western mexico. it is from supposedly the hottest and driest area of North America. I wonder if they get winter moisture .Those crossbanded stripes are like honey to this bee.

    I better get out there and plant those other agaves before I start thinking about acquiring anything more.

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    OK, but look at the pic I referenced, the A. zebra is not the 4-footer. The Agave behind the A. zebra is about 4' across. This is not a particularly large plant.

  • hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
    11 years ago

    eye candy for Agave lovers, thanks! :)

  • chadec
    11 years ago

    I only found A. zebra on-line for 30$. And that's for a 7" plant. As far as being xeric I really need to revamp my potting soil first. I have already lost A. utahnesis and neomexicana sunspot this summer under heavy rains.

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    You can likely get a 5-gal sized plant from B & B Cactus in Tucson, A. zebra is frequently counted amongst their stock. They don't sell online, but they will ship if you call them and order over the phone. Of course, you're going to want to wail until April or so at this point.

  • chadec
    11 years ago

    Thanks GS, I will check them out. They never came up on a Google search.

  • TT, zone 5b MA
    11 years ago

    GS -

    Thanks for the lead on B&B. I have read that A. zebra is hardy to 15F...have you known B&B to toss in a heat pack and ship?

    Thanks!

    Tom

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    Sorry, no clue, B & B is a storied walk-in nursery with an Int'l reputation, they don't actively seek this type of business, but will accommodate bare-root shipments. You'd just have to call and ask, I suppose. The info on this link looks hopeful...

    Here is a link that might be useful: B & B Cactus Farm

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    @wantonamara: Pup alert!

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Available for trade, this is shaping up as an enormous pup. That little monster is nearly 3" across. It's huge.

  • wantonamara Z8 CenTex
    10 years ago

    YES , I am interested!. God knows what I have that you don't already have. LOL I will email you some time this evening with a more comprehensive list.

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    Pupdate.

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    More pupdate. Little guy is now vertical.

  • ChasingCenturies (Arizona 9b)
    Original Author
    10 years ago

    And a solo shot...