Agave ovatifolia?

[Palmensammler]

Hi all

Got this agave as ovatifolia. Does it look like a true ovatifolia? It's planted at a very dry place and last winter it survived -14°C/7°F just under a rain cover.

I'm wondering a little bit because it already sends out two offshots. 

Thanks for your help.

Eckhard 

Edited August 4, 2023 by Palmensammler

[Meangreen94z]

It looks more like a form of Agave parryi

[Palmensammler]

Thanks for your ID. So my fears became real. This means the search has to start again. Maybe my too seedlings are the real deal but I guess they are still to small for identification. 

Eckhard 

[Meangreen94z]

Unfortunately the nursery business worldwide is sloppy and generally not very knowledgeable . I saw several Agave for sale a few weeks ago. My initial perception was Agave parryi var. parryi. The nursery had put their label on them as Agave parryi var. truncata, but underneath you could see the grower’s label said Agave parryi var. parryi. Those are two different distinct Agave but the nursery didn’t seem to think it mattered. And I’ve seen far worse mislabeling than that.

[Merlyn]

I'd agree with Parryi, possibly a form of Neomexicana.  BUT...some young Ovatifolia do have somewhat narrow leaves, especially if they are not in hot blazing sun all year.  If you look at the photos here at Agaveville, there are some RSN photos near the bottom and a couple of young ones in the middle on page 1.  https://www.agaveville.org/viewtopic.php?t=711

I see what looks like "grease stains" on some of the fronds, this might be water or it could be agave mite.  If it still looks greasy when the leaves are dry I'd hit it with Abamectin or similar miticide. 

[Merlyn]

Specifically this photo from Luc, who is definitely an expert in agaves:

[Palmensammler]

55 minutes ago, Merlyn said:

I'd agree with Parryi, possibly a form of Neomexicana.  BUT...some young Ovatifolia do have somewhat narrow leaves, especially if they are not in hot blazing sun all year.  If you look at the photos here at Agaveville, there are some RSN photos near the bottom and a couple of young ones in the middle on page 1.  https://www.agaveville.org/viewtopic.php?t=711

I see what looks like "grease stains" on some of the fronds, this might be water or it could be agave mite.  If it still looks greasy when the leaves are dry I'd hit it with Abamectin or similar miticide. 

Thanks for the link.  A few years ago I was visiting Agaveville frequently. 

I will let it grow. It gets sun until 1pm. So maybe someday it will look like an ovatifolia.

I have a second parryi var. parryi planted out which never got any protection and survived a few cold and wet winters.

[Merlyn]

38 minutes ago, Palmensammler said:

Thanks for the link.  A few years ago I was visiting Agaveville frequently. 

I will let it grow. It gets sun until 1pm. So maybe someday it will look like an ovatifolia.

I have a second parryi var. parryi planted out which never got any protection and survived a few cold and wet winters.

Yeah the habitat is pretty hot, open rocky grasslands/sparse forest.  With shade past 1pm the leaves will likely be stretched out somewhat.  I'd give it another year before judging it to be a particular species.  But you could always find another Ovatifolia anyway.  There's nothing wrong with having another agave.... 

[Palmensammler]

2 hours ago, Merlyn said:

But you could always find another Ovatifolia anyway.  There's nothing wrong with having another agave.... 

Don't  tell my wife 🤣

She always reminds me that I have way to much plants (palms, yucca,  agave and cacti)

[tinman10101]

ive grown many ovatifolias from young.  to me the start of undulating leaves on your pics resemble mines when they were young so it looks promising to me. just my opinion.  

[tinman10101]

9 hours ago, tinman10101 said:

ive grown many ovatifolias from young.  to me the start of undulating leaves on your pics resemble mines when they were young so it looks promising to me. just my opinion.  

Sorry .... I've just read your comment that it has sent off two offshoots and that is very unlike ovatifolia unfortunately in my experience.  

[Merlyn]

2 hours ago, tinman10101 said:

Sorry .... I've just read your comment that it has sent off two offshoots and that is very unlike ovatifolia unfortunately in my experience.  

Whups I missed that too.  Ovatifolia *can* pup, but it is extremely rare.  I think I'd go back and consider it some form of Parryi like Meangreen suggested.

[Palmensammler]

Thanks all, let's wait and see. As I wrote I have two little seedlings which should be A. ovatifolia and a small plant of A. ovatifolia "Blue dreams" which I received from a guy in Switzerland.

But both are to small to identify correctly.

I'll keep you updated.