Content
- The right way to cut agaves
- Reasons to cut agaves
- So agaves can be propagated over Kindel
- Alternatives for cutting the spikes
- Tips
Sick leaves should be removed
The right way to cut agaves
In contrast to many other plant species, cutting does not really make sense as a means of limiting agaves. If, for example, these exotic plants are to be cultivated as compact indoor plants, it is necessary to select correspondingly compact, warm-colored agave species.
Reasons to cut agaves
On the one hand, because agaves tend to grow slowly and on the other hand, they can not tolerate any cuts as badly as possible. As a rule, these plants will not be cut at all. While other plants are stimulated to replenish with a pruning of the roots and leaf mass to fresh growth, agaves should be injured as little as possible during repotting. But there may also be "emergency situations" in the agaves, in which a removal of individual plant parts is required:
The long, narrow and typically thickened leaves of the agave store large water reserves inside. Injured leaves are therefore at risk for dehydration and possible pathogens. They should be separated with a clean and sharp knife as smooth as possible on the plant's stem without cutting too deeply into it.
So agaves can be propagated over Kindel
There may also be other reasons than a wounded leaf to "agitate" an agave with a sharp knife. This is the case, for example, when a so-called Kindel grows out of the mother plant laterally. You can easily separate this offshoot from the mother plant during repotting and plant it in a separate pot for propagation. If a child develops in agaves with flower buds, its removal can sometimes prevent the otherwise dying off of the mother plant.
Alternatives for cutting the spikes
In the past, certain types of agave species often cut off the pointed spines from the leaf ends to prevent injury. Unfortunately, this not only leaves unsightly scars on the leaves, this practice does not necessarily the plants well. As a compromise between plant health and the need for safety, you can make the sharp spikes "harmless" by putting on bottle corks.
Tips
If a death of individual leaves of the agave is evident, they should be separated from the plant and discarded when they are completely dried up and all nutrients are removed from the leaves.