Baby Agave americana care

[TropicsEnjoyer]

So I happen to have acquired an agave americana pup not too long ago. It’s honestly quite small still, not even juvenile characteristics yet, but it’s doing well and growing slowly. I’m just wondering, what can I do, if anything. to speed up the growing of this little one. And would planting in ground at this stage be a bad idea? 

[TropicsEnjoyer]

anyone?? 😶‍🌫️

[Jonathan]

For what it's worth, which is probably not much given the massive climate difference...in my garden they're literally a weed. If I threw your pup out the window it would take root and grow rapidly into a spikey octopus monster. However, my place is dry sandy and cool, though never properly cold.

I suspect summer humidity will be your biggest challenge. I'd put it in the ground with super sharp drainage if possible. 

Nice plants...but be careful where you put it because it will get massive if it thrives.

[Merlyn]

Sun and a looser draining mix would be good steps.  In the ground it would likely thrive.  Americana became weeds in my yard, so I only kept one big one out of a couple hundred agaves.  Pups that size would show up 20 yards from the parent plant, and randomly pop up a year after I dug out and trashed the parent plant!  

As far as a planting spot, pretty much the same as any agage in FL.  Anywhere sunny, not in a swampy spot, and not in the range of a sprinkler is good.  

[TropicsEnjoyer]

Thanks both of you. Not sure honestly if I have a spot for it right now, I’ll be between a repot or planting it. And I am aware of how massive they get since there are some that were like 8 feet wide not to far away I saw (they got trimmed this week actually). Too bad I couldn’t ask for some free pups ☹️.

[Merlyn]

@TropicsEnjoyer if you don't have a spot handy, they will do fine in pots.  Just make sure the soil isn't mucky when wet.  Another good big silver agave is Weberi.  

[SeanK]

Unlike yuccas, which tolerate wet and dry, an agave can rot in a day or two. Be sure the soil is very fast draining.

[TropicsEnjoyer]

Ill probably change it into some of the fast draining potting mix I have, though i’d like it to have a bit more roots first.