Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
rate this answer
Sunday - May 12, 2013
From: Clovis, CA
Region: California
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Cacti and Succulents
Title: Black rot at center of Agave from Clovis CA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
We have some beautiful variegated "Green & Cream" Agave plants in our cactus garden. One in particular has done quite well for several years and is the largest, about 18" tall & across, it has never flowered but has put out many "babies" which we have replanted and grown in abundance. The problem is with this largest plant it has begun to develop a black soft rotting spot along the center leaves before they unfolded and has grown slowly throughout the spring. we think it is a fungus of some type. There is no evidence of bugs and it is NOT powdery more slimey looking. So far it is the only plant affected. Help?ANSWER:
We are stumped on what species of Agave is the "Green and Cream." We do not have any Agaves in our Native Plant Database that are referred to as "variegated" nor that appear to have cream color edging or stripes. We hunted around the Internet and found this article and picture from San Marcos Growers of what they referred to as Agave parryi 'Cream Spike.' The article says it originated in Mexico, which would put it out of our realm of expertise. However, there is an Agave parryi (Parry's agave) in our Native Plant Database which is listed as being native to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. As you can see in the picture below from our Image Gallery, there is no trace of cream on this plant. The name "Green and Cream" is no doubt a trade name dreamed up by some creative plant retailer to attract sales, but it does make it hard to identify.
However, we have answered other questions on diseases of Agave. Please go to this previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer and follow the links in it; hopefully this will give you some clues. This refers to Agave americana (American century plant), but both are agaves and supposedly susceptible to the same problems.
From the Image Gallery
More Cacti and Succulents Questions
Removal of pups from Century Plant after blooming in Prairieville LA
October 03, 2009 - Will the main part of the century plant always die after it grows a stalk? I have babies coming off the base and need to know if I should separate them to keep them alive.
view the full question and answer
Plants for planting in gourds
March 15, 2009 - I enjoy painting dried gourds. This spring I got the idea to paint a gourd and cut holes in the side and plant some small blooming flowers. I have seen "hen and chickens" growing out of holes in the...
view the full question and answer
Dividing and planting Yucca and pups in New Mexico
June 23, 2009 - I bought a Yucca plant and had 7 plants in one planter 1 large and 6 small. We wanted to split up the plants so we carefully separated them and planted them. My soil is very sandy (Rio Rancho) but I...
view the full question and answer
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.
view the full question and answer
Nightflowering plants native to Northern Illinois
October 12, 2010 - Looking for any/all info on night flowering plants that are native to Northern Illinois.
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |