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Agave ovatifolia
Whale's Tongue Century Plant

A true dream of a plant, this once-in-a-lifetime find was originally discovered and introduced to horticulture by renowned Texas plantsman Lynn Lowery from Nuevo Leon, northeastern Mexico, where it grows in a small, rugged mountain area between an astonishing 1100 and 2100 m (3700 and 7000 ft.). Nurseryman and Agave expert Greg Starr and José Villarreal have recently described it formally. Agave ovatifolia will grow into a rather large, solitary plant with broad, lightly keeled, almost unreal, powdery grayish white leaves in a dense rosette that can reach to 2 m (7 ft.) across. In cultivation it is well adapted to temperate climates. Best of all is that not only it can take drought and very severe freezes without damage, it will also hold up well in cold and damp winters if excellent drainage is provided, outperforming most other Agave in this respect. For any Agave afficionado, this is a must-grow plant!

 
 

germination comments by our visitors
For general germination instructions click here.

Also see plant cultivation comments below.

Seeds from this species ...

... are very easy to germinate and need up to 1 month to sprout.
1 month!. That's a laugh! I got sprouts in 2 weeks! No soaking! Just threw them in some wet peam moss, temps got up to 82 f, they are sprouting everywhere! Nothing special needed. Wet peat moss and sunshine! Good ol' south texas sun! First sprouts are at about 1/2 inch tall! Simply cover with a little bit of soil on top, about 1 inch over the top of the seeds. Place in full sun and watch them pop up fast! I think it's funny how other people get theirs to grow. Mother nature never did all that extra stuff at all. Throw them in and watch them grow is my saying.
Submitted on 16/03/2008 by one of our visitors

... are very easy to germinate and need up to 1 month to sprout.
hi this is my first go at agave seeds. sowed in shallow pot of peat and sharp sand mix sprayed surface of compost put in sealed plastic bag and seven out of ten seeds have germinated within 5 days.the bag was placed on a heatmat the type used for reptiles etc . will try more soon.
Submitted on 15/02/2008 by sean barton shaun@shaunbarton.wanadoo.co.uk

... are very easy to germinate and need up to 1 month to sprout.
Seeds germinated within 1 week on a windowsill at room temperature with my normal mix of 50% perlite & 50% potting compost....no need to cover pot.
Submitted on 08/02/2008 by Mark Williams industrial@sky.com

... are very easy to germinate and need up to 1 month to sprout.
I was reluctant to try this as there was no notes on it. However, I am happy to say 1st one germinated after 10 days and others followed suit. I used only moist standard seed mix, no complicated formula whatsoever. Can't wait for them to grow!
Submitted on 07/01/2008 by Tog Tan, Malaysia togtan@streamyx.com

... are very easy to germinate and need up to 1 month to sprout.
I soaked the seeds in warm water for three days, changing the water daily. By the third day most of the seeds has already germinated. I then planted the seeds in small pots with a mixture of 75 percent top soil and 25 percent sand. 100 percent of the seeds germinated. While the seedlings developed, I kept the pots covered with clear plastic to maintain humidity. After two weeks I left the seedlings out in full sun and watered regularly. Growth has been initially slow; after six months the seedlings were all apparently healthy and between 1-2 inches tall and 1-2 inches wide.
Submitted on 23/11/2007 by one of our visitors

... are very easy to germinate and need up to 1 month to sprout.
First sign of germination after only a couple of days. Sewn in a mixture of 1 part perlite, 1 part vermiculite & 1 part multi-purpose compost.
Submitted on 28/05/2007 by Mark Williams industrial@sky.com

... are very easy to germinate and need up to 1 month to sprout.
I ordered 10 Agave Ovatifolia and recieved 18 in the packet. I soaked the seeds in warm water for four days, changing the water every day. At the end of four days 17 of the seeds had germinated with a small root. I then planted all 18 of the seeds in peat pots with a mixture of 40% peat moss 40% top soil ans 20% sand. The peat pots were placed in an air-tight clear plastic box to maintain humidity and placed outside with temperatures of about 85-90 degrees F at day 60-65 degrees F at night. After 14 days all 18 seeds have sprouted.
Submitted on 28/05/2007 by Kevin J. Hrycay hrycay@hotmail.com

... are difficult to germinate and need up to 3 months to sprout.
3 germinated out of 9 sown (grit/sand & soil mix - room temp) after 29 days. First one appeared at 28 days. Hopeful of more to come!
Submitted on 22/03/2007 by one of our visitors

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Please note: These comments are on how to get the SEEDS to germinate.


plant cultivation comments by our visitors
Also see germination commnets above.

Plants from this species ...

... have not yet been commented on. Be the first to write a comment:

• • • Write a plant cultivation comment and enter to win Euro (€) 50 worth of seeds • • •
Please note: These comments are on how to cultivate the PLANTS once the seeds have germinated.

If you wish to read more on palm cultivation, we highly recommend Ornamental Palm Horticulture by Timothy K. Broschat and Alan W. Meerow, available in our bookshop.

Ratings and comments reflect individual experiences and the views of our visitors. They do not necessarily describe the most appropriate methods, nor are they necessarily valid for all seeds or plants of this species. Germination and plant cultivation success depends on many different factors; nevertheless, these experiences will hopefully aid you in your effort to get the best germination results from our seeds and the best growth results from your plants.

 
       
 
We recommend:


Martius, Book of Palms
by H. Walter Lack

Hardcover - 450 pages
19.8 x 13.5 inches!
11.1 pounds!
50 x 34 cm, 5 kg

Our Rating:
Suitable for: all

Martius's magnificent work on the varieties of palm tree. This epic folio was based on Martius's expedition to Brazil and Peru with zoologist Johann Baptist von Spix. From 1817 to 1820 the pair travelled over 2,250 km (1,400 miles) throughout the Amazon Basin, the most species-rich palm region in the world, collecting and sketching specimens.
In his epic work, Martius outlined the modern classification of palm, produced the first maps of palm biogeography, described all the palms of Brazil, and collated the sum of all known genera of the palm family. For apart from his own collection of specimens and notes, Martius also wrote about the findings of others.
Martius's folio is unusual in its inclusion of cross-sectioned diagrams, conveying the architecture of these mighty trees. Equally remarkable are the color landscapes showing various palms—often standing alone—which have a simple and elegant beauty. This famous work is an unrivaled landmark in botanic illustration and taxonomy.


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