Oh...There Goes 'Blue Glow'

No, not this one:
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My biggest 'Blue Glow' Agave has been deteriorating this summer--not in color or size, rather in symmetry.  Its time is nearly over.  I think I bought it about 2004 as a 6" (15 cm) plant.  It was at 42" tall and wide (106 cm) this past spring. After years of perfection and amazing beauty, the center is beginning to look shrunken...
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Axillary buds are sprouting.  Interstitial growth is seen on some Agaves, such as A. polyacantha.  A. polycantha lives on with those new rosettes growing.  Eww.  I've seen this habit on other 'Blue Glow' Agaves about to start blooming, so I assume this is what is happening to mine.  Will there be viable seeds?  Will they be blue?  I have no clue. 
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I never thought of an Agave as a branch, with an apical (terminal) bud and dormant axial buds, but that's exactly what it has.  If you destroy the apical bud of an Agave, which is the central growth point, it is possible that it will sprout new rosettes from axial buds.  Apparently as 'Blue Glow''s terminal bud goes through the changes required for blooming, some of the dormant axial (or accessory?) buds wake up.  What I have seen is that they grow a bit and then sprout flower spikes of their own.
 
The good news is that I have many other smaller and younger 'Blue Glow's to continue to enjoy for a few years. 
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Speaking of blooms, the first from a little Aloe ellenbeckii a few feet away from the Agaves.
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The Aloe looks a little stressed from the summer heat, but not bad.
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Well-established hybrid Aloe 'Cynthia Gitty' has been blooming for months and continues to send up new flower stalks.  The hummingbirds have made her their regular late afternoon nectar stop.  
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The Calandrinia continue as well.
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'Blue Glow' decided to get into the act, too.  'Blue', our eyes will be watching.
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Comments

  1. It's a bitter sweet thing when Agaves bloom, especially on such a plant prized for their colour and symmetry. At least you still have a few going.

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    1. It's far more fascinating than I ever thought, Agave growing. Who would have thought?

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  2. Beautiful blue foliage this Agave has. Does there realy coming out a blue flower? Sorry Hoover but I have no idea. I love the look in the eyes of your pretty dog.
    Have a wonderful day.

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    1. No they are a yellowy-ivory flower most all the time, I think. Anyone know of a colorful Agave flower? Have a beautiful day too, Marijke!

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  3. A beautiful plant. I'd be sad to see it go too.

    How are all those little variegated babies doing?

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    1. Those little variegated babies are growing! Thanks for asking. I'll have to do a post soon.

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  4. It is a fascinating process. A little different / more obvious than usual agaves perhaps. Your plants are great.

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