The "normal" leaf is the leaf at left, with the thin yellow margins. Other leaves on this bulbil have more and very interesting variegation!
There are many hoops to jump through. Variegated or not, the bulbils may not even root. Not all of them do.
And even if they root, they may quickly grow new leaves that have no variegation at all.
Or they may root, but have little vigor, or grow so slowly they are hopless.
From what I have gathered reading on the internet, if you have an Agave bearing a few leaves with impressive variegation, you kill the plant's apical bud by drilling a hole into the center of the plant. This can stimulate side buds to form new plants. The side buds nearest the leaves with impressive variegation have a high likelihood of producing offset plants with the same or better variegation. These two are pretty awesome:
In all cases, great patience is required.
The bulbils with the best variegation are some of the smallest, unfortunately.
Without some green, the bulbil cannot live, because it cannot photosynthesize. This one appears doomed:
Some other unusual bulbils: they bloomed! They will grow no further, (I assume). For Agave desmettiana, it is bloom and die.
This one is scary-wonderful cool!
My little Agave bulbil farm in the next photo, taking over a tomato bed for at least fall and winter. I planted quite a few "normal" bulbils as well. A shade cloth will be going over the screen to protect the little plantlets until they root.
I've been harvesting all the bulbils with variegation variations. It would be totally awesome if I could get some of them to grow into plants.
In addition to all the bulbils, only a few of which I have room to try to grow, there are about a dozen fairly large, fully rooted offsets clustered around the original mama plant. I will move and replant those, too. They are nearly all as large as the original plant was when I bought it about...was it 2004? This whole Agave bloom process has been a lot of fun. I thought I would be sad. Not at all! It's quite amazing.
Update 11/8/2023 Here's a photo, more than 10 years on, of one of the most variegated bulbils. It's been a very slow grower with a striking look. It's only about 16" wide.
Not at all jealous! Some of those are stunning. I would hope the at least the ones with half the plant having normal variegation will be fine, although a little slower to grow. You can boast this though be feeding them come spring.
ReplyDeleteAnd very pleased you have enjoyed and are celebrating the bloom.
I've never given any succulent or agave any fertilizer at all. Maybe this will be the year to try.
DeleteSo what happens if every single one of those little Agaves roots and survives? :-)
ReplyDeleteDrilling out the apical bud on the best plants? I'd be so worried about doing this, I'm sure I would practice on a few "regular" bubils first.
I will have many to give away. That is a great idea to practice on some regulars first. Thanks!
DeleteOh my goodness, picture me green with envy over all those fabulous plantlets... So much wonderful potential and what fun to watch them develop... I can't think of a better use for your tomato patch than to use for an agave nursery.... Sure hope some of those wonderful variegated babies thrive.
ReplyDeleteYes because of our periodic winter heat waves, winter veggies don't do so well here. I'll update if I get some to grow.
DeleteIncredible! What an interesting experience. Your agave farm is adorable! Hope they all thrive. They don't make very good dog toys though.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the puppies are willing to try them out. :(
Delete(Hey...I can comment again!)
ReplyDeleteLove the shots of the farm, what's better than a huge agave? A million tiny ones!
Well, maybe a lot of 'Joe Hoak' bulbils...and maybe next year, judging by how Joe is looking these days.
DeleteGlad you can post again! Don't know what went wrong.
Fingers crossed you get a good return on your babies! If they all survive I guess your friends will be getting some nice presents next spring, or do you have room for them all? :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not counting my plants until they root, though the temptation to is overwhelming...thanks for the finger cross, I do hope some grow.
DeleteAgave Hooveriana , coming soon to a garden center near you.. or maybe you can set up a roadside stand !
ReplyDeleteThat would be a nice way to remember my darling boy.
DeleteHow did the various variegated bulbils turn out? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSome stayed variegated, others turned all green. Growing them to a reasonable size, say 3"-4" in diameter, to see if they would hold the variegation, is a good idea. At that size they did.
DeleteThanks. That is good to know. I have seen a lot of Agave desmetiana 'Variegata bloom in northern San Diego county. Did any that held the variegation have more extreme than "normal" or stabilize to thatof the parent. I've seen with some agaves the pups start off with more or less variegation but mature to the same as the parent.
ReplyDeleteI've updated the post, adding a photo today of one of the most variegated bulbils from that time that happened to survive and grow. It is one of two--the other I gave to someone. So, two out of several hundred. Just a matter of chance (and patience).
DeleteThanks for publishing the photo. It is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. :)
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