Not so hardy Agave
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For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation, exhibition & science of cacti & other succulents only.
Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
- Mike P
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Not so hardy Agave
So this is one of my Agave macroacantha (the nicest one obviously) which didn’t like -6 0c in one of the unheated greenhouses.
Mike
Secretary Bromley Branch
Secretary Bromley Branch
- juster
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Re: Not so hardy Agave
A great shame Mike, looks like it was a lovely plant.
Croydon Branch member, growing mainly cacti and Echeverias
- Paul in Essex
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Re: Not so hardy Agave
I also lost a beautiful plant of this species back in 1996 in my polytunnel. I learnt two things that winter.
A/ Agave macroacantha isn't hardy to -6C even of bone dry.
B/ Butane is not an appropriate gas to use for heating in sub-zero temperatures, which is why the polytunnel went down to -6C
If provenance was the whole answer then of course it wouldn't be hardy. But I have Agave stricta growing happily outside and that comes from the same area. One to be filed under 'Stuff Happens'. Got a lot of those, this year.
A/ Agave macroacantha isn't hardy to -6C even of bone dry.
B/ Butane is not an appropriate gas to use for heating in sub-zero temperatures, which is why the polytunnel went down to -6C
If provenance was the whole answer then of course it wouldn't be hardy. But I have Agave stricta growing happily outside and that comes from the same area. One to be filed under 'Stuff Happens'. Got a lot of those, this year.
- Smel
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Re: Not so hardy Agave
Hi Paul,
That looks like it was a super plant, I don't have the room for Agaves in my tiny greenhouse. but I have A. parryi on the rockery and that is marked but I hope it will survive!! The heart looks OK?
I have lost many plants that were in the Greenhouse, due to me removing the old bubble wrap, and not getting around to replacing it. This Winter really caught some of us out, not had one this bad for years, what happened to global warming?? I also didn't know I had a couple of leaks in the roof, which the old insulation covered up, so a few pots were quite wet!! or damp.
Regards
Mel.
That looks like it was a super plant, I don't have the room for Agaves in my tiny greenhouse. but I have A. parryi on the rockery and that is marked but I hope it will survive!! The heart looks OK?
I have lost many plants that were in the Greenhouse, due to me removing the old bubble wrap, and not getting around to replacing it. This Winter really caught some of us out, not had one this bad for years, what happened to global warming?? I also didn't know I had a couple of leaks in the roof, which the old insulation covered up, so a few pots were quite wet!! or damp.
Regards
Mel.
Open your mind, but not too much, your brain might fall out !!
BCSS Member Leicester.
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/melsaunders/home
I also like photography, electronics, model building......etc.
BCSS Member Leicester.
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/melsaunders/home
I also like photography, electronics, model building......etc.
- Mike P
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Re: Not so hardy Agave
Hi Mel
Can you post a higher resolution image of the labels? I’m interested in what you have lost for a talk I’m putting together.
Can you post a higher resolution image of the labels? I’m interested in what you have lost for a talk I’m putting together.
Mike
Secretary Bromley Branch
Secretary Bromley Branch
- Tony R
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Re: Not so hardy Agave
Mike, right click on the footer of the photo when highlighted white i.e. the ./download... etc and Open link in new tab and then you will get an image which you can + magnify and can read the labels.
Tony Roberts
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
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Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
Treasurer, Haworthia Society
Chairman, Tephrocactus Study Group
Moderator, BCSS Forum
Kent
(Gasteria, Mammillaria, small Opuntia, Cleistocactus and Sempervivum are my current special interests)
- Smel
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Re: Not so hardy Agave
Hi Mike,
Well I've now finished sorting my plants and have lost a good 30% of my plants, as soon as it turns a bit warmer the first job is going to be some Double/Triple insulated bubble wrap, the proper stuff. That picture was just today's plants, same again yesterday.
I'll PM you with the pictures their not of much interest to others..... I can only add one file to PM??
Mel.
Well I've now finished sorting my plants and have lost a good 30% of my plants, as soon as it turns a bit warmer the first job is going to be some Double/Triple insulated bubble wrap, the proper stuff. That picture was just today's plants, same again yesterday.
I'll PM you with the pictures their not of much interest to others..... I can only add one file to PM??
Mel.
Open your mind, but not too much, your brain might fall out !!
BCSS Member Leicester.
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/melsaunders/home
I also like photography, electronics, model building......etc.
BCSS Member Leicester.
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/melsaunders/home
I also like photography, electronics, model building......etc.
- Mike P
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 2801
- Joined: 26 Nov 2007
- Branch: CAMBRIDGE
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Branch Secretary
- Location: Forest Hill
Re: Not so hardy Agave
Hi Mel
Thanks for that. I’m surprised that the Bolivian ones succumbed to the cold as I find they are very resilient.
Thanks for that. I’m surprised that the Bolivian ones succumbed to the cold as I find they are very resilient.
Mike
Secretary Bromley Branch
Secretary Bromley Branch
- Aiko
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Re: Not so hardy Agave
Are all those labels from plants you lost this winter only?
Looking at the names, I would think many of them should be hardy enough to deal with non-severe of -5C to maybe even medium severe frost up to -10C for a few nights. Especially those Lobivias and Gymnocalyciums. Not the Notocactus.
How cold did it get where you are?
And how long have the plants been dry, have they had the chance to dehydrate well enough to cope with the cold?
Looking at the names, I would think many of them should be hardy enough to deal with non-severe of -5C to maybe even medium severe frost up to -10C for a few nights. Especially those Lobivias and Gymnocalyciums. Not the Notocactus.
How cold did it get where you are?
And how long have the plants been dry, have they had the chance to dehydrate well enough to cope with the cold?
-
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Re: Not so hardy Agave
This is Agave parryi v neomexicana. Been outside for many years and seems to shrug off all weathers, hot, cold or wet.