Propagation From Seed
Propagation from seed is relatively easy for most species of agave and usually occurs within 1 to 3 weeks of sowing but I have had instances of seed taking much longer than this. If stored in a dry environment seed will remain viable for up to 5 years, however the fresher the seed the better the germination rate in my opinion. That having been said germination rates can be highly variable even with fresh seed.
To propagate seed I sow seed densely in a small tray using a mix of 40% perlite 40% vermiculite and 20% good quality potting compost and cover the seed sparingly. Water with a sprayer to moisten the seed and media but do not over water as the seedlings will rot off as they emerge. For summer plantings place the tray on a warm window sill in a sealed plastic bag and check daily from day 4 onward.
Alternatively, if you own a heated propagator, place the tray sealed in a plastic bag in the propagator at 25C. Using a propagator I’ve successfully germinated seeds in the depths of an English winter!
When the bulk of the seeds have germinated and are growing remove from the plastic bag and grow on in an under glass or on a windowsill, but in high summer take care to give the seedlings some shade. If you have germinate the seeds out of season in a propagator you will need to provide some additional heat and light to encourage growth.
With both methods keep the seedlings moist but not wet until several leaves are evident on the plants then water weekly gradually reducing this to twice a month in the summer and every 6 six weeks or less over winter.
I leave seedlings densely packed in the tray they were germinated in until the seedlings have formed up leaves and actually look like miniature mature plants as shown in the picture on the left. By this stage the young plants will have developed a good root system and be able to be transplanted to individual pots. Its at this point I pot them on into 70mm diameter pots using a 80% horticultural grit and 20% of a good quality potting compost
Pictured below left is an a. Asperrima that is 12 months old and has just been potted up while below right is a seed grown a. Parryi truncata that is 2 years old.
