[Arid_gardener] blooming agave and why no flower on the hedgehog?

[Deirdre Nunan]

Hi, I have two questions.  One concerns my agave that bloomed in the past few months, that long stalked astonishing thing full of yellow blossoms.  The main plant beneath has died of course.  Do I allow it to fall over by itself, or should I pull it out of the ground?  I think I read somewhere that it could last up to a year.  My dilemma is that I will be out of town for 5 weeks in June, early July, and I'd hate for it to fall over by itself.  
The second question is about a hedgehog cactus.  My sister and I bought one each.  Mine flowers, hers doesn't.  Does it mean hers is a male?   Does she solve it by getting a female?  Thanks for your time.   Regards, Deirdre Wallace
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