"Century" Plant

 The agave in front of the house is starting to do it's phallic blooming thing.  When we moved in out here, in 1976, there was a mature agave in that spot and it bloomed a few years after.  The plants die after blooming but they are typically surrounded by "pups".  The current one has dominated the surround pups; none rival it for size.  Agaves are known to many anglos as "Century Plants" likely because of the long bloom cycle.   Not a century but ~30 years.  We did not expect to see a second bloom cycle.  Well, Jean did not get to see it, but I did.

Oddly, I believe the first bloomed after our horrible winter of  1983:

https://wmckemie.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-cold-week.html

Is it coincidence that the second is blooming after our horrible winter of 2021?

 https://wmckemie.blogspot.com/2021/02/cold-spell.html

Our observed bloom cycle would be close to 40 years.

 https://www.chron.com/life/gardening/article/How-often-does-a-century-plant-bloom-1744209.php

April 26, 2021

Not yet branching out.

May 11, 2021

Branching out.  "Stag horns".  Height must be more than 20 feet.

May 24, 2012

Recall the blooming seemed like it may have been triggered by the record cold spell in February.  The agave was damaged and some thornless cactus was completely killed.  I'm ready to add "Pride of Barbados" to the completely killed list.  I had been hoping for only "killed to the ground" which describes fig damage.  But, now, the figs have sprouted from the ground and put on a couple of feet of growth.  There is no evidence that any of my approximately ten of Pride of Barbados have survived. 

May 31, 2012

June 1, 2021

Link to photo album of all agave  photos.  The photos in the blog (above) are not zoomable.  The ones in album are.  That is, to see more detail, look at the album.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9DAf9ULvrSZbKvHAA

 

June 20, 2021 New photos

 

I've previously reported that I thouhgt the week long freeze in February may have killed my Pride of Barbados.  Above, is a survivor

Crepe Myrtles are starting to bloom!

The Agave is nearing full bloom.  Lower "antlers" are blooming well.  Stalk is starting to lean.  I expect to find it on the ground after another couple of weeks.

The top of the stalk has reached the ground wire that goes to my transformer.  No risk there.

6/25/2020  Full bloom.  Swaying alarmingly in the wind.  Soon to fall.  Note Ray at base of plant to provide scale.

6/30/2021

The lower blooms seem to be fading as the top ones reach fullness.  Swaying in the wind is alarming; it could fall any day now.

After if falls, I'll pace off to get a good height estimate. Right now, I think about 30 feet.  That is taller than the first bloom about 1980-1985.  My theory is that each generation, presumably growing from same roots, grows bigger.  I will strive to view the next generation about 2050-2060.

July 5, 2021

Seed or seed pods are falling the ground.  Past peak bloom.

9/12/2021

The agave is boring me.  I figured it would have fallen months ago.