Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’- Growing Tips

Hello and welcome to Brainy Gardener! Today it is all about how to grow and care for the Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’. Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ is a hardy and adaptable plant with a tall rosette of mid-green succulent leaves. The leaves recurve gracefully to form a sort of elegant cupping structure. And, since even an individual rosette can get quite tall at about 3 to 4 feet, it’s hard to look away from the spectacle of a fully grown specimen. The sides of the leaves are lined with sharp teeth accompanied by a sharp terminal spine.
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RESOURCES & LINKS:
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Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’- Growing Tips
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Video Timestamps
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0:00 - Introduction
1:17 - Light and Location
1:44 - Watering
2:17- Temperature
2:53 - Humidity
3:03 - Fertilization
3:29 - Propagation
4:36 - Potting and Repotting
5:44 - Toxicity and Common Pests
6:51 - Note and Avoid
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Summary
Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ is a hardy and adaptable plant with a tall rosette of mid-green succulent leaves. The leaves recurve gracefully to form a sort of elegant cupping structure. And, since even an individual rosette can get quite tall at about 3 to 4 feet, it’s hard to look away from the spectacle of a fully grown specimen.
1. Light and Location
The Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ prefers full sun to partial shade. It is more tolerant of shade than some of its peers. In fact, it grows best in light shade. It’s best to avoid direct afternoon sun. This can cause the leaves to burn and scorch on hot days.
2. Watering
Water your Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ only when the soil is dry. Check the soil every other day and water it if it feels dry about an inch below the surface.
3. Temperature
Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ prefers temperatures between 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It will tolerate hotter or cooler temperatures for short periods and will likely be damaged if exposed to temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods. Agave americana is winter hardy to USDA zones 8-11.
4. Humidity
The ideal humidity levels for these plants are from 40 to 60 percent. High humidity can lead to crown rot on the plant.
5. Fertilization
Fertilizer is a tricky subject. If you aren’t careful, you can over-fertilize it and cause burn damage to the plant. Many slow-release fertilizer products won’t burn plants if used properly.
6. Propagation
Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ can be propagated using offsets. When mature agave plants produce offsets or pups, or tiny new plants around their base, they can be propagated from these little offsets. This is an inexpensive way to get new plants. It also helps in preventing the mature plant from becoming overcrowded by young plants. Generally the offsets can be propagated at any time, but it’s best to wait until they’re a few inches in diameter.
7. Potting and Repotting
Agave americana plant will need to be repotted every 2 to 3 years. Potting and repotting should be done in spring when the plant is actively growing. You should repot in early spring or in late summer or early fall before first frost. Avoid repotting during winter dormancy, as this can disturb roots. If you have an established agave with multiple offsets growing from its base, consider splitting off one of these into separate pots so that they may continue maturing as individuals rather than as part of a clump with their mother plant
8. Toxicity and Common Pests
Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ is mildly toxic to pets and children. If you’re growing your Agave indoors, keep it away from small children who might have an accident. Agave americana is susceptible to Agave snout weevil, scale insects and slugs and snails.
9. Please Note and Avoid
Over-watering
Placing Under Harsh Sunlight
Using Poorly Drained Potting Mediums
Fertilizing During Dormancy
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