[Arid_gardener] flowering agave

[Olin Miller]

According to the Mary & Gary Irish book, "Agaves, Yuccas, and Related
Plants", there are a few agaves that are polycarpic types (bloom
repeatedly),  But these are not common and you probably will never
encounter them.  Most are monocarpic (bloom once, then die).  Removing
the flower stalk will not save the plant.  If you are lucky, there
should be a few pups (off shoots from the roots) that can be removed and
planted.  According to the book (above), the DBG has .documented
blooming of the a. ocahui at 5-18 years which is pretty long as compared
with a. parryi or the octopus agave.

Olin Miller
Master Gardener Volunteer, Maricopa County AZ

"The opinions or statements expressed herein are my own and should
 not be taken as a position, opinion, or endorsement of
the University of Arizona."
======================================================

----- Original Message ----- From: <Palazordesign at aol.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 11:18 AM
> An Agave ocahui in my garden has developed a flower stalk. Will the
> Agave
> ocahui die after the bloom or is it only the century plant that dies
> after it
> blooms?
> If all agave die after blooming, will removal of the stalk prevent the
> death
> of the plant?