Early autumn harvest…

What, you expected apples or pumpkins? Silly. It’s time to harvest the agave pups!

I’ve never before separated my Agave americana pups, I think because I’ve suffered from the delusion that if left in place they’d magically grow into a fierce spiky patch, like seen in the Southwest. Instead they turn mushy and die over the winter. After almost losing my “big” (don’t laugh, they’re big for Portland!) A. americanas last winter I vowed to not repeat that mistake again. Why not take advantage of the insurance nature is providing me?

I cut away the two furthest from mom, I just couldn’t bring myself to mess with the one snugged up against her.

There was another on the other side…

Got that one too, but left the two guys on the upper right in the photo above. They are just too tiny.

Here’s the other big A. americana…

I am thrilled these guys are both looking so good after I thought I’d lost them.

This one's got a few pups too...

Here’s the harvest, 8 new plants…

This one came out sans the roots, hopefully it will make it.

I love that plants so small still have wicked teeth and their imprints on the leaves.

All potted up to be protected and grow on over winter.

Of course we’ve still got a week of summer left and nice long sunny warm autumn ahead too! (see, I’m slowing coming to terms with it…)

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.