Hello,
I got this agave as a gift like a month ago and it's turning yellow and black and is drying out. I keep it indoors at a south facing window. Could it be a disease? Or too much water, not enough space for the roots or not enough warmth? I think it's an Agave Parryi 'Truncata' if that helps..
Also, should I cut off the drying leaf completely?
Thank you for your help!
I've had that plant. It likes space and it does like warmth. You can cut off the entire leaf.
Do not cut off the entire leaf. Let the leaf die off completely before you go that far. The plant is still extracting nutrients from it. You would be doing more harm than good.
Tip dieback is common among agaves in my experience and it always works like on your plant: the lower leaves first, from the tips on back toward the stem. To some extent this is a normal part of growing up. Too much and the plant is telling you that you need to adjust something about the way you are growing it: a bigger pot, probably, and perhaps more water. Check out the roots if you do repot it, so you know things are okay below ground. Indoors temps are perfect and there is no need for concern about warmth.
Do not cut off the entire leaf. Let the leaf die off completely before you go that far. The plant is still extracting nutrients from it. You would be doing more harm than good.
Tip dieback is common among agaves in my experience and it always works like on your plant: the lower leaves first, from the tips on back toward the stem. To some extent this is a normal part of growing up. Too much and the plant is telling you that you need to adjust something about the way you are growing it: a bigger pot, probably, and perhaps more water. Check out the roots if you do repot it, so you know things are okay below ground. Indoors temps are perfect and there is no need for concern about warmth.
The plant does look gigantic compared to the pot. I would move it up to gallon size (approx 17cm) or about the width of the leaves, and give it a few months to recover. Severely rootbound agaves will grind to a halt, and whatever new growth they generate will be matched by the die-off below. Even if there are only a couple roots now, they will appreciate the chance to extend. I realize a large pot is not so practical indoors but this is what the plant would prefer. I'm not sure about the ID on your agave, but I planted a little 2 or 3-leafed parryi truncata offset in a gallon size pot and it was filled in less than a year.
This message was edited May 28, 2015 1:59 PM
The plant does look gigantic compared to the pot. I would move it up to gallon size (approx 17cm) or about the width of the leaves, and give it a few months to recover. Severely rootbound agaves will grind to a halt, and whatever new growth they generate will be matched by the die-off below. Even if there are only a couple roots now, they will appreciate the chance to extend. I realize a large pot is not so practical indoors but this is what the plant would prefer. I'm not sure about the ID on your agave, but I planted a little 2 or 3-leafed parryi truncata offset in a gallon size pot and it was filled in less than a year.
This message was edited May 28, 2015 1:59 PM
