Remember the these two Agave attenuata that I mentioned on this post a few weeks ago?
As mentioned there they were growing at such a low lean that they looked silly and were occupying too much floor space. So they had to be chopped low down their existing trunk and buried in the hopes that they will re-root and grow upright from there.
Ideally the cut part should be left to callous first before being buried in potting soil to minimise the risk of rotting. But I ignored all that and shoved them straight in a pot of soil as soon as I cut them off and hoped for the best.
Well they remained static after that with no sign of distress thankfully. But when I gave them both a closer inspection last weekend, much to my surprise it looks like they have already re-rooted...
So quick! That was the most impressive bit. And some of the roots look like they're already in a bid to 'run away' too.
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| A Graptoveria leaf fell on the table and sent out new roots and produced a new rosette growing on to nothing. I thought of giving it a chance by moving it on to the gravel mulch of one the Agave attenuata |
Just crossing my fingers now that they will grow upright this time!
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
So is the root coming out of the stem the plant's way of saying "plant me deeper next time!" :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a bright room like that. Love it!
And there was me thinking I had planted them deep enough :) I pushed a lot of its old trunk, it seems it has rooted with a vengeance
DeleteSeems to be saying 'Thank You!'
ReplyDeleteHope so Ricki!
DeleteGreat news! Attenuata tend to lean, that's their nature. I've seen some that crawl on the ground. So don't be surprised if they end up going back to their old ways. They can't help it.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Gerhard. I can always chop and re-root it like I did before when it does that again :)
DeleteI love those escaping roots, very SciFi! They do look better upright, hope they stay that way, but I fear they may have their own ideas, they are clearly bent on escaping altogether...
ReplyDeleteQuite cool, and yes SciFi (or more triffid like) with its roots escaping like that Janet :)
DeleteThese are such easy forgiving plants, glad yours are happy.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they are Loree, easy peasy agave :)
DeleteI wonder if the escaping roots mean that you could have got more plants from the bit of stem that was chopped off? You must be relieved that the process worked and the plants have recovered. A brave move rewarded with healthy plants! Loving the whole white planter/white tile/green plant look, très chic!
ReplyDeleteThanks Caro! I'm really pleased it worked although I was already confident it will. Still surprised how quick it re-rooted though. There was a chance the original rootball will resprout a new plant but I couldn't be bothered to keep them...
DeleteSuch vigorous plants! It is always such a joy when a plant is so uncomplicated and forgiving.
ReplyDeleteThey're easy plants to grow but was still surprised how quickly they have rerooted :)
DeleteI often skip the callus formation stage too. I wish that rooting cuttings from woody plants was as easy as with succulents. What blemish-free, gorgeous agaves you have now!
ReplyDeleteSame here Denise, how I wish it was this easy to reroot woody plants. Glad to hear I'm not the only one to skip the callous formation stage :)
DeleteThe mature Agave attenuata in my garden like to lean too.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing swathes of them leaning away in Madeira Kris. But I've also seen a few potted specimens growing very upright so I have hopes :)
DeleteI've always ignored the callous formation bit myself when rooting succulents. Your agave attenuata look very happy!
ReplyDeleteThey seem to be Peter and I'm glad they are :)
DeleteLovely article, great little plants. Thanks
ReplyDelete