Perfection is overrated?
>> Monday, December 11, 2017 –
agave,
winter damage
My overwintering strategy involves moving many potted plants into the garage and basement each fall, but I wait until absolutely necessary. Some of the agaves can take temperatures down to 25ºF (-3ºF) or so, and those I will leave outdoors the longest. When the first sub-freezing night approaches, you'll usually find me standing in the garden poring over Google because I can't remember which species can take those few more degrees of cold.
The trouble is, I sometimes make a mistake.
***
A mistake can mean a misidentification or maybe a wrong assumption...
...or it has gotten too dark when I'm collection pots and I've missed a plant...
...or I've got more than one of these potted up so want to just do a hardiness experiment...
...or even that I convince myself that I don't really care about this plant so "let's see what happens".
So this specific plant -- questionably labeled as "Agave Impressa" -- suffered a bit of cold damage.
It's not my favorite agave so I'm not too upset, but still, it's quite ugly.
Maybe I'll baby it next season and see how much it can do to overcome these blemishes, but I think I'll have to just promote the smaller potted versions...
...and give this damaged one an extra year in a less prominent spot to recover.
Happily all of the "important" agaves are doing fine...
...even though they're still not in their final winter spots and are getting in the way in the workshop.
Do you think I'll remember next year that this is one that needs to come in early?
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Oops. In the garden, there's always next year. Your blemished agave will certainly recover.
You will remember if you made a small wooden stake in your workshop. It would read "note to self: bring this fella in sooner".
Oh no... I've done that myself. Agave impressa is a real wimp. 30°F and that's about it. I tossed mine because it was too ugly after I left it out a few winters ago.
The "important" Agaves. You made me laugh.
I also chuckled at the "important agaves". We won't tell them you have favorites!
Ive been following your blog since 2013. Even though I dont garden, I enjoy reading about your adventures. I usually never comment but just wanted you to know that there are a lot of people who appreciates what you do. Keep up the good work!
Gerhard: I'm pretty sure this isn't actually "impressa" since its markings are not right, but maybe it's just a less desirable form? It's not terrible, just not great.
Loree and Lisa: I'm not afraid to show favorites in my garden. It keeps everybody trying harder. :)
Anon: thanks so much!
I'm amazed that you overwinter things. I can't imagine having to move all of those plants every year.