Soggy agave

I planted an agave plant in Sept. 08 in what I thought was a well drained area of my property. Turns out this time of year it's very soggy, so I need to move it to higher ground. Does anybody know the best time of year to move this plant? It's quite large, and very heavy ( I'm dreading this ) , so I'd like to move it while the weather is cool. Thanks!

What kind of agave? An A. americana? if so, they don't have that much of a root system, so I would think that you could go ahead and move it. It's not like you'd be really messing with an extensive root system.
Maybe others have different advise though. I moved one, twice, and it really was a pain, (pun intended).
Barb

Thanks Beach_Barbie, It is a huge A. americana prickly monster. It was already a behomoth when I bought it with a very heavy rootball. Ofcourse, now that it's waterlogged, just getting it out of the ground by myself is going to a be a challenge of comic proportions. ( My husband is a great guy, but asking for gardening help isn't an option.) What time of year did you move yours? I wonder if it matters. Your climate is also a full zone milder. Maybe I'm just trying to rationalize postponing the inevitable. Thanks again.

This message was edited Feb 4, 2010 8:47 AM

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I moved it, both time, during warm temps. If it's but enough, I would think it will be OK until warmer temps and/or when you hopefully can get some help.
Have you posted this to the cactus and succulent forum?
Barb

Thanks again, Barb. I'm going to take your advice. I'm so accustomed to the carolina forum, that I tend to overlook other more appropriate forums.

I agree - I get "stuck" here also. ;)

donnac, I'm in Columbia, very close by, and I successfully separated some pups (I think that's what the babies are called) early one spring. If you're very patient -- and have babies around the mother plant -- that might be a much easier option. Even dealing with those pups was dicey because of the thorns.

I know a large agave is worth a lot of money, but sure seems like transplanting it would be easier when (and if!) the soil dries out -- unless you have our very sandy soil, which dries out rapidly (sigh).

I bet I'm not the only one interested in what happens to your agave. Best of luck with the project!

I went out yesterday, shovel in hand, and started digging around the agave just to see if it would budge. It did, and before I knew it, I had impulsively scooped the entire plant up. Much of the root system had dissolved, and with the aid of a hand truck, I was able to move it to an elevated, very sandy area without breaking a sweat and a minimum of puncture wounds. The high sandy area I moved it to is also the sight of several european fan palms and a pindo I bought when I first moved down 4 years ago. I can't figure out why, but the fan palms look great, while the pindo has slowly turned completely brown over the years. Since then I've bought many pindo's, some even planted in low lying, poorly drained areas, and they're all growing like crazy. I think the pindo is nutrient deficient, although I do fertilize my palms each spring. The spear is still intact, so in April I must decide if I should relocate it, or work manure into its' sandy location. I'll let you all know the progress of my agave in a few months - it looks so happy in its' new spot!

This message was edited Feb 7, 2010 1:53 PM

You go girl! I'm sure you're happy it's done. Sounds like you got it out just in time.
That does sound odd about your pindo. Since it's near the fan palms and you do fertilize, I wonder what the problem is. if you really care, I'd bring a frond and a soil sample to your cooperative extension to see if they can id the problem.

Thanks for the soil test advice, Barb. I watch " Making It Grow", a local gardening advice program (PBS) for the Carolinas and Georgia, religiously. They always stress the importance soil testing, and I keep putting it off. This would also afford me the opportunity to meet Amanda McNultey, a co-host on "Making It Grow". She is a master gardener and a real sweetheart who happens to be Sumter County's Clemson extension agent. I occassionally see recently installed (and underwatered) palmettoes die, but I have never seen a Pindo turn completely brown, even through years of neglect. Uhm...

Wow! I'm impressed, donnac! All that with no trips to the ER, too~

Yes, Fleurs, I'm feeling downright fierce. I think that means it's time for my meds.

This message was edited Feb 7, 2010 7:26 PM

Donna, I occasionally do see pindos decline here. Perhaps planted too deep? Hhmm... don't know.
I need to do a soil test here, it's been years since I had one done.
Barb

As soon as this miserable weather is over, I'm going to have a soil test. So far, besides the pindo, the only plants I've lost have all been killed by ground voles. I even adopted 5 outdoor cats to control them, but they seem to prefer birds. Not what I had in mind!