I was thinking of growing some from seed, is that (timewise) a really silly idea? or are these only 3 or 4 years to "decent" size? I made a list of seed that looks worthwhile, but all suggested welcome. Good Do'ers preferred as I haven't got time to pamper them individually. Agave attenuata - Foxtail Agave Agave americana ssp. americana - American aloe Agave ovatifolia - Giant Whale's Tongue Agave utahensis Agave victoria-reginae - Queen Victoria's Agave Aloe ferox - Bitter Aloe Aloe polyphylla - The Spiral Aloe
Seed is slow with Agave, but faster with most Aloes, I find. Agave montana is the one most seem to think is fairly hardy, (my plant is coming on but not frost tested yet), and I have had A. utahensis, or something very similar, survive outside. but grow very slowly. A. americana is not as hardy as is often stated IMO, unless totally dry. In short, if you are going to keep them dry, many will survive with the minimum of heat in winter. I'd say you need to allow more than 3 or 4 years for most to be come decent specimens, here and so its really a long term thing if growing from seed.
3 or 4 years to have something that looks OK is fine by me. The seed is cheap as chips, so I think I'll give it a go. I'll add Agave montana to the list, thanks. Any others worth a shot? if not then I'll place the order
Can't comment on the Agaves. But on the Aloes. I wouldn't bother with the ferox. It gets huge 3 - 4 meters tall. And at least a meter wide. And prob won't flower until it gets to at least a meter. Have a look at my avatar photo - that is Aloe marlothii which is similar. Aloe polyphylla is nice. Can take quite a bit of cold. Mine is outdoors and I move it under the front door overhang in winter. I wouldn't be sowing the seeds now though. Best wait until beginning of March.
Scampton Succulents' germination advice is that the Aloe seed is oil based (instead of the more common starch in seeds) and consequently the life is short, and thus to sow "promptly". next Spring might well be fine, but I do have growing lights available during the winter - would they do if I sow now? or was there a different reason to postpone until then?
Kristen, To be honest I have never grown Aloe seeds under lights. They will need some air movement as the seedlings are prone to damping off. But maybe give it a go and see how they do. Aloe seeds do have a short shelf life. But I don't think a few months will make a difference.
Update: (I need to take a photo of the row of pots that Pete kindly gave me - they are doing well, some of them really well ) The Aloe and Agave seedlings - sown 16Oct, germinated about a week later, pictures taken 04Mar Aloe ferrox Agave stricta Agave victoriae-reginae
... but I have bone to pick with @pete The plant he kindly sent me ... How it looks today It even has a pup BUT HE NEVER TOLD ME HOW DIFFICULT THEY ARE TO POT-ON
New project for me ... I can;t see myself having an Arid Border in the garden, that's for sure. Well .. that's for sure "today" I quite fancy having some big A. americana (and maybe some others) in Urns: not to mention converting them into Tequila On the Aloe side a nice A. polyphylla would be nice http://www.strangewonderfulthings.com/198.htm
