Native Plants
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Monday - November 01, 2010
From: St Pete Beach, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Cacti and Succulents
Title: Reasons to leave a century plant in place in Florida
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Can you please list ALL the reasons to leave a century plant (as opposed to cutting it way back or removing it) in the wilds of the sand dunes on the coast of Florida, other than its prominent beauty?ANSWER:
This Mr. Smarty Plants thinks she doesn't know the entire story that goes with this century plant. It sounds like there might be a difference of opinion between/among family members or neighbors about what to do about this century plant. Here are some things I don't know about the century plant that would affect my advice to leave it or cut it down:
- 1. Which century plant is it? There is one that the USDA Plants Database shows occurring in Florida, Agave americana (American century plant), but it is possible it could be one of the others that are native to North America or even a non-native.
- 2. Is it in good shape? Has it recently bloomed? If so, it is going to die. It will put out 'pups' for the next generation but the main plant is a goner. You can read more about the life cycle of the century plant in the answer to a previous question.
- 3. Who wants to cut it down or trim it back—and why? Is it encroaching on someone's property, blocking someone's view or posing a hazard with its spine-tipped leaves?
It seems to me that if the century plant is:
- 1. a North American native and/or doesn't seem to be spreading agressively;
- 2. it appears to be in good shape (i.e., isn't dying after having bloomed or isn't diseased);
- 3. it isn't blocking someone's view, isn't posing a hazard to man or beast, or otherwise interfering with someone's personal or property rights—then, it is fine where it is and doesn't need to be trimmed back or removed.
More Cacti and Succulents Questions
What to do with agave after it blooms from Phoenix AZ
March 12, 2013 - Hello!
I have 2 century plants in the process of blooming. How exciting!! I've never really seen it before.
Anyway, what do I then do with the dying/dead plant. Simply dig it up and trash it?
T...
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Ingestion of agave sap from Albuquerque NM
June 11, 2013 - My boyfriend was out in the Arizona desert without water for two days and sought moisture through what he thought was a yucca plant but instead we believe was agave. He sucked the moisture off the ins...
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Will the blooming stalk of my century plant eventually tip over? Yes
June 24, 2009 - I have a century plant in bloom. Will the stalk eventually tip over? Would appreciate any Internet references on the subject.
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Problems on Prickly Pear Cactus in Illinois
November 19, 2014 - I have a fungus on my prickly pear cactus that is not a bug. I tested it and my fingers didn't turn red when I squeezed them. So how do I get rid of this as it is spreading to my other cacti?
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Potential longevity of Century Plant bloom stalk from Marana AZ
January 23, 2013 - What is the potential longevity of a Century Plant stalk/bloom? I would like to use it in my yard for ornamentation. Will it last for weeks, months or years or decompose relatively quickly?
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