Susan, I'd love seeing a pic of your flower..sounds fantastic..
After Agaves bloom, the mom plant dies..so remove sideshoots/offshoots from parent, and root. The process repeats itself. Toni

It is very impressive. We have had literally hundreds of visitors stopping by to see it. It puts out appx 6 babies a week - which I have given to everyone that will take one! I think we will have to cut the bloom like a tree since it is so tall but I am not sure if there is a better way. My fear is that the mom plant is dying and the 40 ft bloom will fall and cause damage. It seems very hard, thick and I assume, heavy. Do you have a better idea on how to deal with the leaning bloom?

"Interesting that it gave us this gift at this time and will die on its own terms, going out in a blaze of glory."

There is a 12 lane highway due to start construction nearby. Included in the destruction is an historical bldg with an *historical* agave. It also has a 35-40ft flower spike. We've watched as it started pushing its stalk back in Feb. The inflo was magnificent. You could almost hear the old girl saying "I'll go on my own terms, progress, thank you very much". Yes, she did go out in a blaze of glory; all her pups rescued.

Hi, I wanted to say, that in mexico the flower stalk is let to dry and then is cut in small pieces, and is used for parakeets' breeding house. If you go to the feed stores you will see them. Maybe if you do not want it, you should offer it and see if someone is interested, of course if you do not want it yourself. I am sure someone would be interested in your area for it. You should cut it down yourself, just to be safe, that noone is hurt. alicia

One thing to be aware of when removing the stalk or the dying mother plant, is that many people are sensitive to the sap and can get a rash from it. Just be careful not to get any sap on your skin.

Thanks to everyone for all of their information and advice. We needed all of it. Due to it's precarious posistioning we had to cut the stalk. And yes, it is just like felling a tree. All went well but it woke up the neighbors when it hit the ground. Today we have had numerous neighbors ringing our doorbell to give us their condolences. It had become the neighborhood meeting place. We have it's sister plant also with a 40-ft spike and are considering having a 'going-away' party for it with the neighbors.

One last irony: This agave had been a favorite of my mom. As she became ill in another state, I would send her pictures of it's growth but we didn't expect it to bloom for many years. When I returned from her funeral, it had started to bloom and it was only 3-1/2 years old. I am a romantic, but I think it was my mom & the agave's gift to me during such a sad time. It surely did brighten my days and gave us something happy to dwell on.

That is very touching.
So sorry for the loss of your Mother.
Jo

I was told by a local nursery that after years the agave will produce that flower stalk, then leave behind an offspring, they are native to here so I trust what they are saying,well some are native,but they are all over the place with large flower stalks,I love them.

Susan, I too am sorry about your mom..
It is ironic the way the Agave bloomed so soon after..there are just too many things that happen to ppl that I don't consider 'coincidence.' It was a gift..

Your flower sounds like it was super heavy..My goodness, a big boom after it fell like a falling tree. LOL.
Do you see baby agaves where the parent was located? If so, allow them to grow..if several, you may need to thin out, because as you well know, they grow big. I doubt you want clusters of Agaves taking space in your yard. If you have several babies, and can remove w/roots, sell on Ebay..but I'd first wait to see that they're healthy. Toni

Was your plant producing plantlets (or bulbils) on the flowerstalk? This form of propagation is not always typical, possibly rare for your species. Usually they just produce seeds. Save one for yourself.

Cutting: Try this, Tie a rope on the piece you want to cut off. Have some one hold onto it and as you cut (saw) it off have that person pull it in the direction you wish it to fall. Save one of the offset for yourself. Sounds like a monster plant to me. Are the flowers pretty? Do they have sweet perfune? Take pictures before you cut it down. It will need to be cut just like you would a branch from a tree. Norma

I have an agave, 3 yrs in the yard and it is sending up the stalk, no flowers close yet. If I cut the stalk off will it save the mother plant ir has the dying cycle been put into motion. There are no pups and the plant is just beautiful as is (3x3) I understand the booming process is amazing, but I would rather have the mother plant! Any advice?
Thanks so much.

I'm in the se boat! beautiful 3x3 plant sending up the stalk. Bummer.