Agave problems - rot and weird thing

8 years ago

Novice agave owner. Well, I've had it for years; water every once in a while, but mostly leave alone and it was alive - it did change shape and get less spiky. One day the cat bit it, so I moved it to a new location (with less sun) saw some lower leaves turn yellow and watered it (which I now realize was error). A few internet searches later - I have removed from the pot, rinsed off most of the old soil, pulled off the completely dried off leaves. Pulled off some mushy leaves and found a hard line shaped structure that seems to go into the plant. Is it the rot spreading? It's not mushy. Should I excise or leave it alone to see what happens. I realize it is probably a goner, but am stubborn and won't stop if it can be helped. I live in New England,so humidity happens.

Apologies for my lack of photography skills.

Featured Answer

Crenda 10A SW FL

8 years ago

Erica, if you mean removing the leaf from the root, that is not necessary. The leaf will decay and fall away from the root. At this point, you need all roots to help in recovery, so I wouldn't risk it. But you can be careful, I suppose.

These Agave desmettiana pups show a lot of different directions the roots can take.

Here's a closeup - you can see roots poking through the leaf. This pup was under the mom and laying a bit sideways. The roots found a way to get to the soil.

Hope that helps!

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Comments (9)

Nil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
8 years ago
Can't tell without better pics.
ewwmayo
8 years ago
The hard thing is probably a root that grew upwards.
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Erica C
Original Author
8 years ago
That can happen?
ewwmayo
8 years ago
Yes, it can happen and is not that unusual.

If a root grows between leaves it can get redirected upwards by 'accident'.
Erica C
Original Author
8 years ago
Could it be a viable root if it were removed from the plant tissue and redirected?
ewwmayo
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
If the root is cut off it will die. If it is free it or not from the leaf tissue it should be okay, assuming your plant hasn't rotted.
Erica C
Original Author
8 years ago
Ah. I was assuming the root had grown up from the bottom and into the leaf. But it is more likely growing from the leaf and down? Would it do that through it's own leaves? I found it pulling some tan sickly leaves off.
Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
8 years ago
Crenda, Holy cow! What are you planing to do with so many agaves?

Erica, I hope I'm wrong, but I think you agave is a goner. Some thing I have a hard time learning, when in doubt, don't water.

I just posted an agave give a way. Next year, I'll do it again. These were tiny agaves that don't get more than 6" high. Perfect for house plants.