No viable seed, apparently. Will there be bulbils? The very top segment is blooming and covered with happy bees. After that...kaput? The plant itself is deflating like a tire losing air. Offsets are beginning to thrive:
I used to think it was sad, until I witnessed the whole process--the bees and hummingbirds getting so much nectar and pollen, the offsets thriving. Now I realize it is not sad at all, but a phoenix-like renewal. It's been beautiful to watch, really.
Are these the same desmettianas that began sending up their bloom spikes last September? I have one that just started its spike, and I'm trying to figure out how long until I lose it (and have, hopefully, hundreds of babies to rehome). I'm in Austin, though, which might also affect things.
Goodness gracious! It's been an entire year long process! I hadn't realized they started a year ago. Wow. Your comment prompted me to look back at old posts, and I was shocked at the date, 9/13/2011.
That is a beautiful agave. It's a shame that the plant dies after flowering. Glad to hear the babies are thriving though.
ReplyDeleteAmy
Kind of a sad ending...
ReplyDeleteI used to think it was sad, until I witnessed the whole process--the bees and hummingbirds getting so much nectar and pollen, the offsets thriving. Now I realize it is not sad at all, but a phoenix-like renewal. It's been beautiful to watch, really.
ReplyDeleteAre these the same desmettianas that began sending up their bloom spikes last September? I have one that just started its spike, and I'm trying to figure out how long until I lose it (and have, hopefully, hundreds of babies to rehome). I'm in Austin, though, which might also affect things.
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch! Your pictures are beautiful.
Goodness gracious! It's been an entire year long process! I hadn't realized they started a year ago. Wow. Your comment prompted me to look back at old posts, and I was shocked at the date, 9/13/2011.
ReplyDeletehttp://pieceofeden.blogspot.com/2011/09/agave-desmettiana-begins-to-bloom.html
Yes those are indeed the same desmettianas. Wow. A whole year of bloom. Amazing, eh?