Even within the same species, each agave has its own unique character.
What inspired you to start cultivating plants?
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I've been spending more time at home and started browsing Instagram more frequently. That's where I saw a friend's Agave horrida, which sparked my interest.
Do you have any specific considerations or goals in mind when cultivating agaves? If so, please share your cultivation methods and objectives.
Even among agaves of the same species, each one has its own characteristics. The way the leaves spread and the speed at which they open are mainly related to the amount of light they receive, and you need to adjust the distance of illumination and the amount of water accordingly. This requires daily observation to understand properly. Neglecting this observation will not yield good results.
You might already know about the four key elements of light, water, air, and soil. I use four different types of liquid fertilizers, but instead of using the same one repeatedly, I alternate among them. By alternating, I prevent the plants from getting accustomed to one type and ensure they are consistently stimulated.
I manage watering on a schedule, allowing the plants to absorb water and be more active by exposing them to sunlight from morning to daytime. At night, I switch to using lights. For indoor-grown agaves, I provide about 14 hours of light per day.
It's good if the light is strong, but if it's too strong, the leaves will become sharp. It stretches, so you have to be careful. There is a balance that suits agave, so it suits the nature of agave. I try to give it enough light. Light is measured using a luminometer. We measured the amount of sunlight, used that as a reference, and then adjusted it further to match the characteristics of the agave.
The most important point is that the shape of the leaf is determined at the awn, which is the growing point. If the awn becomes long, the leaves will develop vertically, The thicker and rounder the awn, the denser the nutrients, the shorter the leaves, and the stronger the serrations.
Once the awn becomes long, it will not grow back. To restore it, lower the light and increase watering. The awn can be made short, but the leaves once expanded are short. If you can't, you'll lose your balance. The failed leaves will remain misshapen until they wither, so You will end up in the same situation as starting over from scratch.
I also take note of the watering schedule every day, For growth, keep in mind the amount of light and heat by using a light meter. If you grow while studying the situation, the failure rate will be lower.
Have you ever felt like you failed when growing plants?
In the case of Bear Root, since there are basically no roots, the usage does not change depending on the size of the plant. However, young plants are illuminated with 10w, and medium to large plants are illuminated with 20w or using Tsukuyomi. The idea is to promote rooting while providing light.
Speaking of failures, I had leaf burn when I first started,
Even after watering, there have been times when the wind and light were weak, causing the plants to lose their shape or rot.
Recently, due to a change in the environment due to repotting,
You may lose the shape or put too much effort into giving light to the child plants.
I applied too much pressure and ended up burning it.
This is also a mistake in balance with the nature of agave.
Agave will return the love you give it.
What purpose do you use the grow light for?
The advantage of solar power is that you don't have to pay for electricity (lol). It absorbs a lot of water and grows quickly. However, the sun does not come out every day, and the sun only in the daytime Sometimes it's not enough. If it were just the sun, it would look very tasty, so I use it with the idea of arranging it with light. Unlike the sun, a grow light provides a constant amount of light. The biggest advantage is that it grows in a beautiful shape.
Also, since the light intensity of the grow light is constant, it may cause burns if the light intensity is too strong. Another big advantage is that since it is an LED, there is less heat and you don't have to worry about burning the leaves. Also, you can grow agave indoors. The risk of diseases and pests is greatly reduced, making it safe to grow.
The first growing light I used was a BARREL product. It is easy to adjust the light to suit the characteristics of agave. The important thing in growing is to adjust the growing light to match the agave strain. It is about selecting and adjusting performance. Features of each agave strain (cultivation methods vary depending on the individual agave) It is important to be familiar with the characteristics of the grow light, such as the strength of the light.
Are there any precautions to take when using a grow light?
I use a 20W grow light, but there are some things to keep in mind. The irradiation distance should be matched to the characteristics of the agave. If the irradiation distance is too close, the leaves may grow upwards or Because there is a risk of leaf burn, we recommend planting at least 15 cm from the plant.
Do you use different growing lights depending on the plant?
The irradiation distance, the presence or absence of a reflective plate, etc., the irradiation distance depends on the size of the agave, Adjusted according to height. Not all agave plants are the same size or height, Each agave has its own characteristics, so we use an expansion reflector to adjust it.
Also, I have a particularly large agave, so I use two lights for one agave. We use a diffuser reflector to prevent the top from burning. You want to expose it to strong light, but there is a risk of burning the leaves. Apply light to the entire area, such as concentrating the light only on the top. I think a diffused reflector is useful if you want to hit the target.
Lastly, please give a message to plant lovers and those who want to start growing agave.
There are many types of agave, so choose the one that suits your taste. can be found. Each has different characteristics and appearance. It also depends on the cultivation method. “Appropriate” is a no-no for agave. It's a polite thing to do. It is very important to face agave every day. It depends on the owner's personality, so it all depends on the owner. Agave plants will respond to the love you give them.
There are many things that I find troublesome, but I personally... There have been many times when I've cut corners and regretted it. The agave will respond to your efforts.
Cultivating agave is not an inexpensive hobby, but it is beautiful, He shows us his cool side every day and gives us an impression. Agave plants can produce offspring, so they can be propagated. I am enjoying growing the baby plants while imagining their future. For me, plants are now a part of my life and a precious treasure.
I hope you all enjoy growing agave every day.
thank you very much.
