Agave victoria reginae

Synonyms:

Agave consideranti
Agave ferdinandi-regis
Agave nickelsii
Agave victoriae-reginae f. dentata
Agave victoriae-reginae f. latifolia
Agave victoriae-reginae f. longifolia
Agave victoriae-reginae f. longispina
Agave victoriae-reginae f. nickelsii
Agave victoriae-reginae f. ornata
Agave victoriae-reginae f. stolonifera

Habitat:

This succulent is native to the arid lower areas of the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains in the state of Coahuila and south of Nuevo Leon (north-eastern Mexico). It grows mainly in desertic or semi-desertic areas, on calcareous soil; it is also found on steep slopes , and it forms colonies on the vertical cliffs on canyon walls.

Description:

This beautiful Agave is a slow growing species. It is highly variable in form, but generally it forms an individual dense rosettes up to 45 cm in diameter (but it rarely grows taller than 22 cm). Most populations are solitary, but, in forma caespitosa, some of them offset heavil. The small and compact rosettes are composed of short, thick leaves: these are toothless, green with characteristical a pattern of brilliant white markings. They usually are along leaf margins, giving a sort of polyhedral feature. The terminus of the leaf may presents 1 to 3 spines. This Agave will bloom after 20-30 years of life, producing a 4 m high spike. It contains many cream coloured racemes with flowers often presenting shades of purple. The plant will die after flowering.

Cultivation:

This Agave needs a well-drained soil. It grows well in light shade to full, but it prefers some shade during summer. It tolerates low temperatures (-10° C ) but it needs to be kept dry during winter to avoid damages: in cold climate areas, it is better to cultivate it indoor, in pots. Water it plenty during spring and summer, letting it dry before watering again. Use fertilizer twice a year (water soluble potassium-rich fertilizer in April and July).

Propagation:

Propagation can be done by seeds and by basal suckers.

Curiosity:

Agave victoria reginae owes its name to Thomas Moore, which named it in honour of Queen Victoria of England.