Explore Plants

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
    
 

Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Sunday - April 24, 2011

From: Litchfield Park, AZ
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation, Transplants
Title: Care of recently propagated Century Plant from Litchfield Park AZ
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

To germinate some century plant seeds I put them in dirt and put the pot in a tray of water. Now, I have 3 sprouts about an inch tall and they came up about an inch apart. Question is, how should I water them from now on and when can I transplant them?

ANSWER:

There are 9 plants in our Native Plant Database with the words "century plant" in their common names, 5 of which are native to Arizona. Because agaves are all propagated in basically the same way, we chose to use Agave americana (American century plant) as our example. We found an excellent article online from Arizona Cooperative Extension How to Propagate Agaves and Cacti from Cuttings and Seed. This has step-by-step instructions and is illustrated, so you should be able to get all the information you need from it. Pictures of agave from Google.

 

More Propagation Questions

Information about growing mountain laurels (Sophora secundiflora)
November 15, 2008 - I live just outside of Austin on 10 acres. I have several very large mountain laurels on my property that I planted from containers. Mine flower profusely every year. I feed them bi-weekly and wate...
view the full question and answer

Propagation of Texas bluebells from seed
July 29, 2008 - I have a few Texas Bluebell seeds. I would like to grow these in my yard. What would be the best place..pot or flower bed? When should I plant? How to maintain?
view the full question and answer

Propagation of yucca by seed
August 03, 2007 - I'm just wondering, the yuccas in town are starting to drop their seed pods. How easy is it to start from their little black seeds?
view the full question and answer

Vehicle friendly oak trees for Austin
March 30, 2008 - Do Chinquapins, Shumards or Live Oaks produce lots of tree sap? I'm looking for a vehicle friendly Oak tree to be installed in parking areas in Austin, Texas.
view the full question and answer

Information about moist stratification
September 07, 2010 - I have some seeds of scarlet leatherflower I'd like to try and I read the instructions under 'Propagation' in your Native Plant Database that say "Moist stratify at 41 degrees".. What does "...
view the full question and answer

Smarty Plants's Facebook profile Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.

Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends.