growing agave from seed

[agav@]

I ordered seeds from RPS.There is not much information on the inthernet.I was wondering if someone has tryed it and if so can you share some info about it and pictures if possible.

Thanks

[Gbarce]

I've germinated some agave seeds from some plants growing in our garden but I was just learning about it and I don't know if it will work with all types.

I place the seeds in water until the root emerges, which only starts in a day or two. With some seeds though they just rot in the water - a cloudy white growth starts at the edges of the seed and after a while the whole thing is covered in a slimy cloud. but then again the were probably not viable to begin with. But I am just guessing this. Others better share their experiences too so that we can balance the observations out

The floating test doesn't apply to agaves because they are so small and light and have a waxy covering that they will all almost certainly float. Hard to tell just by looking too because they are so flat- at least the ones produced by the plants growing in our garden

Then I pick them up using a tweezer- they are usually very small and place the seeds on the soil root side down.

Dont try to bury or cover the seed with soil, just lightly place it on top and let the root dig its way down on its own. What is suppose to happen (based on my observation) is the root digs down and anchors itself first. The next thing to happen is the seed will be lifted upwards as the first leaf developes which basically looks like a small green tube that is tapered on both ends. The succeding leaves will start from a slit at the bottom of the first leaf and continue developing from there.

When I covered the seeds with soil the leaf did form but I didn't realize that the end that was extending up was actually the root end - i could see a thin dry filament that I later figured out was actually teh dried up root.

Water them with very very fine spray because they topple over very easily

[agav@]

I find only this on the another forum

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[Gbarce]

The first photo shows the seeds being lifted by the first leaf - which is teh right way for things to happen. When I buried the seed the leaf came out with the roots on top. A lot of them died.

I assume - as in nature- if you just place them on top of the soil and spray water on them they will sprout pretty quickly. I think in the desert or arid environments with very little rain fall, they have evolved to respond quickly to any avaiable moisture.

[tank]

I just throw them in a community pot. I usually use light mix and cover the seeds up just a little. Like Gene said, use a mister and try and keep the soil just slightly moist. Species vary on how much moisture they will take but I usually try to err on the dry side.

[redbeard917]

Here are some Agave montana sprouts. This is the first time I've germinated an agave, although I have sprouted yucca seeds which were similar. When should they be put into individual pots? What size should the pots be? I found that the yuccas had an extensive root system, which seemed to suggest a deep pot was needed.