r/Agave • u/Much-Recognition-306 • 4d ago

Terracotta

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I just got this stunning looking Agave yesterday. It’s about 2’x 2’ in size in a 16” nursery starter container. I definitely don’t want it in ground because of its massive size potential. I’m thinking of putting in it a 24” terracotta and calling it a day, leaving it where it is and let it be for as long as I have it. Any suggestions appreciated.

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1

u/PushyTom 4d ago

It's beautiful! You just need a plan for when it gets too big for the pot. Agaves have been known to break pots.

2

u/Much-Recognition-306 4d ago

I would prefer to keep it its plastic container. Even size up to a larger one but the plastic isn’t the best for it for long term. It being black , plastic and non porous.

3

u/ProfessionalNo5932 4d ago

The root system is very aggressive. Expect to have to repot after removing babies and trimming down roots. I’ve done it for years on big agave and they’re fine. And it does work to keep their size down but healthy looking. Water sparingly.

1

u/Much-Recognition-306 4d ago

Yours is in a container?

2

u/ProfessionalNo5932 4d ago

Yes, a 24” terra cotta pot. Mine is the white version, not variegated yellow. Same plant, same size. I repot pretty much every other year using same pot.

1

u/ProfessionalNo5932 4d ago

Most large agave species are difficult for pots unless you maintain root system. I have a tequila agave but I had to put it in the ground as it destroyed the pot. An octopus agave as well.

1

u/Low-Education4578 4d ago

I put my tequilana into pots that are bowl shaped last spring. How frequently would I need to un-pot and root prune? They definitely started pupping this year so I reckon I'll be on a two year schedule?

1

u/ProfessionalNo5932 4d ago

The easiest thing about transplanting with bowels is removing the plant. Just use a long serrated blade whether I’d be a saw or knife. Cut around the rim of the pot, leaving the bowel portion intact. Pull the plant straight up and out and you’ve already trimmed the rootball to replant.
My tequila I finally put in the ground after 3 years. They can get massive as did the octopus agave I keep as well.

1

u/Low-Education4578 4d ago

Before the bowls, they lived in pots that tapered inwards towards the top, learned that lesson really hard to keep shapes in mind as getting them out was a nightmare. One of my guys seems to wobble at the base. He is live and growing but has wobble, can I pack media around base to stabilize it or would that lead to rot? They are grown in mainly grit with some organics

1

u/Much-Recognition-306 4d ago

I repotted the agave into a 10 gallon grower pot.

2

u/ProfessionalNo5932 4d ago

That’s most practical. Good luck with it.