Agave americana (Century Plant) Bloom and Removal

Can you tell when a century plant (Agave americana) is about to bloom and die? Find out, and also watch the removal of a huge dying agave. #centuryplantremoval #agaveremoval #deadagave
**CAUTION** AGAVE SAP CAN CAUSE CONTACT DERMATITIS.
-- Do a patch test to determine susceptibility. If itching or rash develops, wash the affected area immediately. If symptoms persist, get medical care.
-- USE COMMON SENSE: The drier the agave, the less its moisture content. The fresher the agave, the greater the risk of sap exposure.
-- PROTECT YOUR SKIN: Wear wrap-around eye protection, long sleeves, pants and gloves. Cover your hair.
Unless you routinely remove large agaves for a living, USE A HAND SAW. A power saw can spray sap. Don't wipe your face with your sleeves or other parts of your clothing that may have bits of the plant or the sap on them.
-- FIND TREATMENT SUGGESTIONS: debraleebaldwin.com/debra-lee...
RELATED AGAVE INFO:
Debra's videos: "What You MUST Know About Century Plants." • What You MUST Know Abo...
"Your Agave's Blooming: Now What? Cautions, Removal, 20+ Varieties, How to Start Seeds and Bulbils" • When Your Agave Blooms...
On Debra's site:
debraleebaldwin.com/succulent...
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This video's URL: • Agave americana (Centu...
#agaveallergy #agaveplant #agaveremoval #agavedeathbloom #agavedermatitis

[@QueenofSucculents]

It's important to note that the carcass had dried quite a bit before he took a chain saw to it. Even so, you can't be too careful. I've heard from dozens of people who've had bad reactions. See debraleebaldwin.com/debra-lee-baldwin-news/agave-dermatitis-how-bad-is-agave-sap/. Agave allergy is not an issue with everyone, but there's only one way to find out! Don't risk it.

[@dougg1075]

The top has a retro futuristic Jetson’s bonsai vibe that is awesome to behold. My brothers neighbor shot up and it was very picturesque:) he gave me some pups I’ve had in pots and debating planting them. Beautiful plant

[@EnchantedwithPoodles]

Fascinating and kind of sad.

[@CarnivorousPlantsAndGardening]

Once the agave goes into flower it dies as the flower spike is often a terminal spike so it can't grow anymore...

[@patroach4072]

Thank you for sharing. Big Blue gave you 20 years of beauty. I didn't realize what an ordeal is was to remove it!

[@reneeodayok859]

Holy cow that's just amazing!!!

[@karenkmk4035]

Aaamazing!

[@___s___8071]

Wowww thanks for sharing!🔥🔥

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thanks for commenting!

[@chunlingkwan3574]

Wow, thank you for sharing this. This is like cutting down a tree.

[@OffGridInvestor]

That's how it goes. I sometimes get 5 A YEAR sprouting. As they're coming up, I call them the world's biggest asparagus. They eventually fall down, often slowly just leaning over.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Asparagus is exactly what the young flower stalks look like!

[@jackimoon8284]

Will you please do a follow up vid on what you plan to do with all those seeds/ how to propagate them from this state? Such a beautiful journey you spent alongside this magnificent specimen.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Hi Jacki -- I was tempted to keep a branch with seed pods because I liked the way they rattled (they sound like maracas, you can hear it in the video). But I had no use for them. For more about the journey, see "Big Blue's Life and Demise" on my site: debraleebaldwin.com/succulent-plants/agave-americana-lifespan/.

[@marinamartinez6886]

I have two Agaves that decided to bloom at the same time. One is an Octopus which I hope to get at least one good pup from. The other was not supposed to be super large but is a good 6 x 6 foot. It's about done with its bloom after starting to emerge in March. Real curious about the root ball depth, it's right by my water and gas lines. Should I tell the gardeners just not to dig down and hope it will just rot away? I'm definitely going to remove any pups and I don't want another one this big.

[@e.9370]

Its been a year, how did it go with ur agaves? 🤗

[@cooperbookout]

(landscaping, Southern CA)

[@jadestar1580]

Wow that was a major undertaking! It had grown into a tree!!! Amazing. Do they always die after blooming? Were you able to keep the seeds? Thank you for the video.

[@QueenofSucculents]

I could have kept a big bucket of seeds if I'd wanted to. But I still have potted pups in my nursery and one in the ground to take its place. Be sure to see "Big Blue's Life and Demise" at debraleebaldwin.com/succulent-plants/agave-americana-lifespan/.

[@plantsandartemius]

Oh my god, what a great agave! Super! I have not seen one! How old is she? Like!

[@CactusCaffeine]

Wow! And kinda sad, too.

[@heidiwhite3795]

Can you dry the stalk trunk and burn the “logs” in winter?

[@QueenofSucculents]

I suppose so, but because the stalk grows so rapidly, its cellular structure isn't dense, so it would likely burn quickly. Hardwoods like oak make a better fire.

[@botanicaltreasures2408]

Most impressive. “From pup 🐶 to dinosaur 🦕”. Or “ Why A. Americana is not recommended for small gardens.”

[@QueenofSucculents]

Yes, that's why "Big Blue" and I made a video in 2016: "What you MUST know about Agave americana" kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXPWXnunl9Znbrc

[@philipperoullet2259]

Thank you very much for all your informations ! I just cut my agave americana. Can I throw the remains (Leaves, stem…) in my compost or is there a risk for the quality and life of my compost ?

[@QueenofSucculents]

I don't put agave pieces or for that matter any succulents in my compost. They take forever to decompose.

[@christineoberg7302]

Is there anyway that you can propagate any part of the agave after it has bloomed,other then a shoot or baby from it?

[@QueenofSucculents]

Hi Christine: I suppose you could do it with tissue culture. Some agaves produce bulbils along the stalk's branches instead of seed pods. And sometimes a dying agave will fringe itself with pups.

[@OffGridInvestor]

Well THE SEEDS would be viable if you waited til it properly died and dried out.

[@glenccim]

My agave "popped" ten months ago and has leaned over since. I'm waiting for it to come down to the ground, but I don't have any idea how long that will take. The last one only took about 4 months but this one is still going!

[@QueenofSucculents]

Kinda depends on which variety it is. If it's leaning, I'd cut off the stalk.

[@travist7777]

mine just sprouted in my front yard. Time to remove it and leave a baby behind? It is near my water line-- do they have deep roots?

[@QueenofSucculents]

They don't have especially deep roots but what I've had happen is that the plant gets so large that the weight and pressure from its growth breaks the line.

[@travist7777]

@@QueenofSucculents Thanks, Debra. I just felled the large sprout, so it looks normal again. Poor thing is dying, though, so we will enjoy it until the bitter end, and, at least, it's offspring is growing next to it, so it won't die alone. (I didn't mean to be so depressing!)

[@jennyhill9534]

I think agaves are stunningly beautiful, but I don't want giant agaves in my yard any more. They have vicious serrated leaves, stabby points, and never stop having babies. And now I see you have to pay people to demolish them after they bloom! At my age I don't want to be chain-sawing them down. I managed to dig up one agave americana (to give it away) and it almost killed me. I have two to go. Also two agave angustifolia. I trimmed them way back so I could dig up the giant pups at the base to give away. But holy moly it's a lot of work!

[@QueenofSucculents]

Hi Jenny -- Yes, big agaves aren't for everyone. Century plants are common but there are many more desirable alternatives. See the Agave section of Designing with Succulents and the the Agave page of www.debraleebaldwin.com.

[@jennyhill9534]

@@QueenofSucculents You have an incredibly useful website!! Thank you. A kid I know who is earning money for a car recently was asked to fill in a full-shade 2'x8' area. I'm pointing his mom to your website. And am scouring my garden for cuttings for him.

[@LynsHomeGardenDesign]

That was one huge Agave! Will you be planting another one?

[@QueenofSucculents]

Yes, I saved one of Big Blue's pups. It's shown in the video after its parent's removal.

[@MG._.MG13]

20 years I would have been sad 😔

[@szabib2144]

What happened did yours die from the giant stock because ours is stil grow 12 years after it huge stock

[@QueenofSucculents]

Yes. I don't know what to tell you. Are you saying the mother plant is still doing fine after blooming? And it's Agave americana (century plant)?

[@szabib2144]

@@QueenofSucculents yes still going after it grew the massive stalk.

[@OffGridInvestor]

We have them here and I have NEVER seen or heard of one living after the stalk goes up. I have a huge patch of them

[@JPinFuerteventura]

I have a large one here in Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) that has thrown up a flower spike so I will have to remove it by the end of the year. I wish I had a chainsaw as I will have to do it all by hand.

[@QueenofSucculents]

JP, be sure to wear gloves and eye protection.

[@greygum4647]

Your caution cannot be stressed strongly enough. I soon learnt my lesson when I attacked an Agave plant with an electric chainsaw one day. Within 5 minutes I was intensely itchy on my arms and legs and any other part of my body where the sap had splattered. I felt like I was being bitten by a million mosquitos all at once. The itching became so intense I dropped everything and ran inside under the shower. Three days later the itch still came back whenever I went out in the sun. You have to take a lot of care when cutting into these plants.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Very true. Not everyone has an allergic reaction, but it's definitely not worth risking. Thanks for sharing your experience. I sincerely hope you recover quickly and completely. It's important to note that the carcass had dried quite a bit before he took a chain saw to it. Even so, you can't be too careful. I've heard from dozens of people who've had bad reactions. See debraleebaldwin.com/debra-lee-baldwin-news/agave-dermatitis-how-bad-is-agave-sap/. Agave allergy is not an issue with everyone, but there's only one way to find out. Don't risk it.

[@OffGridInvestor]

I use a cordless reciprocating saw. I was worried the sap would be like palms. Acidic and wreck the chainsaw chain over time

[@rayanator105]

These plants are listed as a noxious weed here in my country of New Zealand and if a plant is listed as such you're technically required to remove it but enforcement is lax because at the bottom of my street is a huge area of ginger weed that's even worse on council land and nothing is done about it.

[@greygum4647]

Yes, Agave americana is definitely weedy in some climates. Together with some other members of the Agave family, they can become troublesome weeds in parts of Australia and warmer European countries like in Spain.

[@rayanator105]

@@greygum4647 I removed one a couple of years ago with a chainsaw and didn't wear long pants and ended up with really itchy legs . Won't make that mistake again when I remove the bigger one.

[@OffGridInvestor]

That's because councils NEVER DO ANYTHING about their weeds. Take it from an Australian. We have them here in Victoria but I don't think they're a declared weed. I have a big patch of them. I was thinking about digging them up and selling them on ebay but people are selling small ones for $6 so there's barely a point.

[@QueenofSucculents]

It's important to note that the carcass had dried quite a bit before he took a chain saw to it. Even so, you can't be too careful. I've heard from dozens of people who've had bad reactions. See debraleebaldwin.com/debra-lee-baldwin-news/agave-dermatitis-how-bad-is-agave-sap/. Agave allergy is not an issue with everyone, but there's only one way to find out. Don't risk it.

[@sma1968]

sawing a century plant with a chainsaw is incredibly risky - that sap is like acid.

[@QueenofSucculents]

There's a lengthy comment on my blog post on this topic that deals with this. It's important to note that the carcass had dried quite a bit before he took a chain saw to it. Even so, you can't be too careful. I've heard from dozens of people who've had bad reactions. See debraleebaldwin.com/debra-lee-baldwin-news/agave-dermatitis-how-bad-is-agave-sap/. Agave allergy is not an issue with everyone, but there's only one way to find out. Don't risk it.

[@getstuk87]

acid in that it will harm your skin? I might be in danger I touched mine a lot...

[@russellsmlth8219]

I did this and got a burning itchy rash. THE SAWP IS TOXIC.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Have you seen the page on my site about this? debraleebaldwin.com/debra-lee-baldwin-news/agave-dermatitis-how-bad-is-agave-sap/

[@dougg1075]

So it doesn’t actually need 100 years ?

[@QueenofSucculents]

No.

[@OffGridInvestor]

Some 20, some 30

[@manji3]

Is this tequila agave? (Blue agave)

[@QueenofSucculents]

No. That is Agave tequilana. This is Agave americana.

[@ginger8314]

😢

[@anarchyboy420247]

Wheres all the PPE?? OSHA would not approve...

[@QueenofSucculents]

It's important to note that the carcass had dried quite a bit before he took a chain saw to it. Even so, you can't be too careful. I've heard from dozens of people who've had bad reactions. See debraleebaldwin.com/debra-lee-baldwin-news/agave-dermatitis-how-bad-is-agave-sap/. Agave allergy is not an issue with everyone, but there's only one way to find out. Don't risk it.

[@ananavarro432]

Lo hubiera aprovechado para un buen pulque

[@lee881]

How much does an agave removal like this typically cost in California?

[@QueenofSucculents]

Let's see...I paid two workers for two hours at $20/hour...$80.

[@bamag35]

I would have had to pay them more than $80 and I live in Alabama where the cost of living is lower. That was a big job. Worth more than $80.

[@QueenofSucculents]

@@bamag35 That didn't cover the dump fee. So more like $100.

[@rauljuarez3884]

@@QueenofSucculentsdo you have any videos how to remove the whole plant from the roots? .

[@QueenofSucculents]

@@rauljuarez3884 The roots are shallow, so there's not much to it.

[@samanthasimental3788]

What ? You didn't make tequila!

[@Snow-chi]

I heard these plants are toxic? To who exactly? My rabbit ate one of the leaves last summer, He’s alive and well. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@QueenofSucculents]

I understand that some agaves are worse than others, and this one isn't as bad as some. It also depends on whether you (or your bunny) is allergic to the sap.

[@OffGridInvestor]

Apparently the sap irritates skin BADLY. My sheep eat the leaves on smaller ones but not much. Just whatever gets thru the fence but there's like 200 sheep

[@dougg1075]

I’m sorry, what purpose does the massive shoot have in the lifecycle if it produces pups? A middle finger to the rain gods maybe:) Edit for the question mark

[@postmortemspasm]

I know this is old but; genetic diversity. Pups are clones of the parent plant but seeds are genetically different.

[@Ac_a]

Any update on Big Blue 2? How big is it now? Same question for your Agave Franzosinii?

[@QueenofSucculents]

Big Blue 2 is about 4 feet in diameter and as tall. I figure it's half grown. Agave franzosinii has stalled out at 6 feet wide and as tall.

[@JocelynBernard]

dispensing all that carbon mulch fiber biomatter etc into a bin truck broke my heart >.< must leave the stuff to feed the ground! Chop and drop!

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thanks, Jocelyn. Hard to chop though (fibrous).

[@OffGridInvestor]

It's got acidic sap and terribly hard fibres. I have got it to burn when dry but it doesn't burn very well

[@cooperbookout]

Agave americana (Century Plant) Bloom and Removal

[@cooperbookout]

Can you tell when a century plant (Agave americana) is about to bloom and die? Find out, and also watch the removal of a huge dying agave.

[@cooperbookout]

AGAVE SAP CAN CAUSE CONTACT DERMATITIS. Do a patch test to determine susceptibility. If itching or rash develops, wash the affected area immediately. If symptoms persist, get medical care. USE COMMON SENSE: The drier the agave, the less its moisture content. The fresher the agave, the greater the risk of sap exposure. PROTECT YOUR SKIN: Wear wrap-around eye protection, long sleeves, pants and gloves. Cover your hair. Unless you routinely remove large agaves for a living, USE A HAND SAW. A power saw can spray sap. Don't wipe your face with your sleeves or other parts of your clothing that may have bits of the plant or the sap on them.

[@cooperbookout]

AGAVE SAP CAN CAUSE CONTACT DERMATITIS. Do a patch test to determine susceptibility. If itching or rash develops, wash the affected area immediately. If symptoms persist, get medical care. USE COMMON SENSE: The drier the agave, the less its moisture content. The fresher the agave, the greater the risk of sap exposure. PROTECT YOUR SKIN: Wear wrap-around eye protection, long sleeves, pants and gloves. Cover your hair. Unless you routinely remove large agaves for a living, USE A HAND SAW. A power saw can spray sap. Don't wipe your face with your sleeves or other parts of your clothing that may have bits of the plant or the sap on them.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Excellent advice. Thank you!

[@jdubwilson2689]

Anyone else,? Noticed the A10, warthog fly over?

[@QueenofSucculents]

The flyover starts at 1:46. When I coordinated it with the Air Force, I requested "a single-seat, low-wing, straight-wing aircraft with two non-afterburning turbofan engines mounted high." Were you by any chance in the Gulf War?

[@jdubwilson2689]

@@QueenofSucculents so you had them fly it over, at that exact time! Wow! I’m impressed!!🤯

[@saschacat]

Sad

[@lauralaine8678]

I thought so too 😔

[@QueenofSucculents]

Aw, thanks.

[@065096]

don't use a chain saw unless you want to sting all over!!!!

[@Schlick]

I fell victim to my large blue Agave....used a pole chain saw and itched and had a rash for days. Worst thing ever. Wear gloves, long sleeves, and a long pole saw and you might stand a chance. Yikes. Torture. Whatever you do...do NOT get this stuff on your skin!

[@glenccim]

He was running the chain away from his body, cutting on the top of the saw. I'm sure that he still got some of the sap on his body.

[@QueenofSucculents]

It's important to note that the carcass had dried quite a bit before he took a chain saw to it. Even so, you can't be too careful. I've heard from dozens of people who've had bad reactions. See debraleebaldwin.com/debra-lee-baldwin-news/agave-dermatitis-how-bad-is-agave-sap/. Agave allergy is not an issue with everyone, but there's only one way to find out. Don't risk it.

[@shengyanhu6728]

Can this species be used for tequila?

[@QueenofSucculents]

Tequila is made from the tequila agave, Agave tequilana, grown on farms in Mexico.

[@773roberto]

It is not used for tequila but that species is used to make mezcal, a drink similar to tequila from southern Mexico

[@QueenofSucculents]

@@773roberto Thanks for the clarification!

[@niccoarcadia4179]

These plants were around when the dinosaurs walked the earth.

[@seb9997]

don't touch the sap it has toxic crystals.

[@QueenofSucculents]

I have lot on my website about the dangers of agave sap. Go to: debraleebaldwin.com/debra-lee-baldwin-news/agave-dermatitis-how-bad-is-agave-sap/

[@QueenofSucculents]

Have a question on ANYTHING to do with succulents? Go to debraleebaldwin.com and browse the menu or use the Search bar. Btw, my site is not monetized---no annoying pop-up ads. It's my gift to my followers and the culmination of my career as a horticulturist/photojournalist specializing in succulents. You'll find 100+ pages of tips and ideas; thousands of photos and must-know facts for specific varieties; curated design ideas for gardens, landscapes and containers; interviews with experts; seasonal info; and much more. Use the site as a research tool that also is entertaining---the same goal as my KZbin channel. Q's welcome!