Presentation of agave ovatifolia
Fact sheet : | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Agave ovatifolia |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Other name | Agave with oval leaves |
| Etymology | Comes from the Greek word “αγαθος” which means “admirable” |
| Origin | Northeast Mexico |
| Dimensions | 0.80 cm high and 1.20 m wide when mature |
| Flower color(s) | WhiteLight greenYellows |
| Leaf color(s) | Light green |
| Appearance of the flowers | Flower stem |
| Appearance of the leaves | Large leaves with a rough underside, ending in a sharp spine and arranged in a rosette |
| Plant type | Succulent |
| Vegetation | Perennial |
| Foliage in winter | Persistent |
Culture sheet: | |
|---|---|
| Planting |
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
Jul.
August
Seven.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec. |
| Growth | Slow |
| Exposure | Full sun |
| Ground | Drained, Limestone, Poor |
| Humidity | Weak |
| Use | Pot, Tray, Massif, Rockery |
| Multiplication | Semi |
| Disease(s) and pest(s) | Mealybugs |
What is the ideal light and exposure for oval-leaved agave?
For optimal development, the agave ovatifolia needs to be installed in a sunny locationbut if you live south of the Loire, a little shade will not displease it, especially in the regions around the Mediterranean.
What is the ideal temperature for agave ovatifolia?
Due to its Mexican origins, this agave, like most other varieties of its species, has need heat for its development, even if it is quite slow. However, unlike some others, it has the advantage of being quite rustic since it can withstand temperatures down to -12°C once properly installed.
Watering the oval-leaved agave
Agaves being succulent plants, they are able to store water in their leaves and meet their water needs. This means that they do not require excessive watering and are able to withstand periods of drought.
- If you grow your agave ovatifolia in the ground : it will not be necessary to water it, except during possible prolonged episodes of heatwave. The rest of the time, natural humidity and showers will be enough for them.
- If you grow your agave ovatifolia in a pot : during the summer, be sure to water it when its substrate is dry. Just because it’s a succulent plant doesn’t mean you should let it die of thirst. In autumn, start to space out watering until stopping it completely in winter, because the plant goes dormant.
Ideal atmospheric humidity
Agaves are plants adapted to hot and dry climates, which explains whythey do not like too high humidity. You must therefore take care to protect them, as excessive humidity could cause them to rot. However, and this is one of the other advantages of the oval-leaved agave, it is a little more resistant to humidity than other agaves.
Despite this superior resistance to humidity, do not hesitate to cover your agave ovatifoliawhen several days of rain in a row are forecast.
What types of soil and fertilizer for your agave ovatifolia?
Earth
Whatever cultivation method you choose, in the ground or in a pot, you must make sure to plant your agave in perfectly draining soil or substrate.
- For cultivation in open ground: To limit problems linked to excessive humidity, it may be interesting to plant your agave ovatifolia on a slight slope which will encourage water flow. For the same purpose, it is advisable to add sand to the garden soil and install a bed of gravel at the bottom of the planting hole. If you want to install mulch to keep the soil cool, avoid organic mulches which could damage your plant. Choose mineral mulch.
- For growing in a pot: You have the choice between a special succulent potting soil or the soil from your garden with added sand. Here too, do not neglect the installation of a bed of gravel or clay balls at the bottom of the pot.
Fertilizer
Agaves thrive in poor soils, no fertilizer is essential. You can, if necessary, carry out a light enrichment of the soil once a year.
Planting and repotting oval-leaved agave
In the open ground
If you want to grow your agave ovatifolia in the ground, you can integrate it into a rockery or install it on a slight slope, as explained previously.
In all cases, provide a space of at least 1 square meter to allow it to develop at ease and make sure the soil is well drained. Another precaution to take is not to press the collar, that is to say the base of the plant, on the ground, but to leave a space of approximately 2.5 cm between the two to allow the circulation of the air.
Do not hesitate to install a layer of gravel under the base leaves.
Pot
You can also grow your agave ovatifolia in a pot. This will allow you to install it in full sun during beautiful summer days and to shelter it during the bad season, especially if you live in a region where winters tend to be very cold.
As the development of this agave is slow, you will hardly need to repot it if you opt for a sufficiently large pot from the start.
How to propagate agave ovatifolia?
Agave ovatifolia is one of the few agaves thatThey do not produce suckers or suckers. This means that the only way to multiply it is by sowing.
If your plant flowers, it may be necessary to hand pollinate the flowers to have a chance of getting seeds. Then you just need to sow your seeds in the spring. The temperature must then be between 13 and 18°C. Seed emergence generally takes place 1 month later. As soon as the plants reach a height of around 5 cm, you can transplant them.
How to prune agave ovatifolia?
Agave ovatifolia does not require pruning. It naturally has a very graphic ball-shaped port.
Cleaning the plant
Agaves require little maintenance. The only thing you need to do to preserve their aesthetics is to remove the leaves that have dried.
Agave species and varieties: there are many species
Agave brings together many species and varieties which differ in their resistance to cold, the color of their leaves, their size, their mode of propagation, their flowering, etc. When purchasing an agave, do not Do not hesitate to find out about all these points to have one that will really be adapted to the climate of your region and your desires.
Agave ovatifolia, for its part, presents average resistance to coldbut you can also choose:
The 6 points to remember about the oval-leaved agave
- Agave ovatifolia is a very graphic plant that requires little maintenance.
- It is easy to grow as long as it is planted in well-drained, poor soil and in a sunny location.
- It will be able to withstand episodes of drought, but also negative temperatures.
- This agave is characterized by a rather slow development.
- It will be ideal for bringing a little greenery to spaces that are most difficult to revegetate.
- It has the advantage of having less prickly leaves than some other agaves.