Agaves bloom very rarely in our latitudes. The flowers impress with their size and shape. Unfortunately, agaves only bloom once in a lifetime. After that, most agaves die.
Why does the agave die after flowering and can I prevent it?
The agave dies after flowering because the impressive flower consumes enormous energy and nutrients, which the plant then lacks. Dying can be prevented by cutting off the flower in good time or by propagating secondary shoots beforehand.
Why does the agave die after flowering?
The impressive flower of the agavedraws a lot of energy from the plant Depending on the variety, the flowers of the agave reach up to 10 m and consist of up to 5000 individual flowers. For this they need a lot of nutrients. The plants thrive on barren, nutrient-poor soils. Therefore, the nutrient supply is not sufficient to adequately supply the flower and plant. However, in Central Europe it can take 30 to 50 years before the plants bloom.
Can I prevent the plant from dying?
By cutting off the flowers in a timely mannerthe agave can be prevented from dying. To do this, you should remove the flower base as soon as the shoot appears. The more energy the agave has put into the flower, the lower the plant's chance of survival.
Tip
Propagate agave before flowering
During their lifetime, most agaves produce many secondary shoots. Remove these children from the mother plant and plant them in separate pots. This means you can enjoy new plants after your agave flowers and dies.
