How to propagate agave

Seed propagation of Agave

Any plant can be propagated by sowing if it has seeds, and agave is no exception.

In order for agave to bear fruit after flowering, it must undergo cross-pollination. After fruiting, the seeds can be collected when the fruits are ripe. The collected seeds are sown in spring from April to May and will germinate in about half a month.

The germination rate of agave through sowing and propagation is relatively high, and the management of seedlings is not difficult. Although the seedlings grow slowly, they grow rapidly after they mature. However, it takes longer to bloom, possibly decades.

When agave is sown for propagation, the best temperature for seed germination is above 15°C at night and around 30°C during the day. The temperature cannot be lower than this, otherwise the germination rate of the seeds will be greatly reduced, or even fail to germinate. After sowing, keep warm and moist. Seedlings will emerge 10 to 15 days after sowing.

Since most agave plants only bloom once in their lifetime, they will gradually wither and die as their seeds mature, and some precious varieties are difficult to bloom. Therefore, even though agave can be propagated by seeds, this method is not very common.

Agave propagation by division

Agave division is usually carried out during the growing season, often combined with spring repotting.

The method of division propagation is to remove the seedlings sprouting from the base of the old agave plant, and plant those with roots directly in pots. If the seedlings have no roots, they can be inserted into the sand bed and planted in pots after they have taken root. Generally speaking, agave can survive whether it has roots or not, or whether it is propagated by division.

Cutting propagation of Agave

During the growth process of agave, some side buds will sometimes grow, and these side buds can be propagated by cuttings.

Agave is propagated by cuttings during the growing season. Remove the young shoots, let them air-dry for 5 to 7 days, and then plant them in a well-drained and breathable culture soil after the wounds heal. They will easily take root and survive.