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Succulent Questions
Hi Germinatrix,
I recently bought an agave plant and it is planted outside in full sun and is well drained during this summer. However, I live in Portland, OR (land of zonal denial!)and the rainy season is coming (sigh)...should I pot the agave or use a cloche or some other protection to keep it from drowning? I know others who keep their succulents out all winter but this is a young plant and may need protection at least thru its first winter.
zenchick
Hello zenchick,
I am only too happy to enable your zone denial! Like I've said before, there's nothing like an Agave or big Aloe to give your garden sculptural drama - and who doesn't want some of that? I think your idea of potting it up for it's first rainy season is a good idea (a cloche or other type of cover wouldn't protect it from it's main enemy - cold, wet roots). But don't bring it inside - let it live on a porch or under the eaves of your roof (I don't really know if 'eaves' is the right word - I mean overhang). Let it get a little wet and feel a little chill. Then next year, if you really love your agave and want to give it the best chance - improve it's drainage by raising it's immediate area - even 6 inches will improve drainage when the winter rains come. It can be as simple as making a mound of earth and shoring it up with some rocks, or you can get some landscape ties and build a small raised bed. Ammend your soil with some compost and a little sand, and plant your agave with some friends who like their drainage sharp, like lavenders, sedums, kangaroo paws, and the like. This way, you can take your zone denial as far as you want. Look at me, I'm like a pusher!
keep reading for a question from Nancy Z...
Greetings Gardening Guru,
How invasive is low-to-the-ground sedum? I transplanted some near my lavender, primroses and ferns, and want to be sure it won't "choke" them out.
Nancy Z
Well, Nancy, from your description of the sedum as 'low to the ground' and considering you are planting it around lavender and primroses AND ferns (which means it is living in areas with different sun exposures), I think you are talking about Sedum brevifloium, which is a small, emerald green sedum with tiny succulent leaves that hug the ground, and like most sedums, root as they run. Practically speaking, it is not invasive - even though it's an energetic grower in the right conditions. The reason it won't 'choke' your plants is because the bushy plants will probably do it in first - once the sedum starts creeping underneath them, it'll die off from lack of light. But the sedum around the plant will still be strong. So no worries - you don't have a sedum serial killer on your hands, just a great all-purpose ground cover!
Your Guru the Germ
Hi Germinatrix--
I have two cats and they love plants. If I got some cacti with spikes, would that keep them away? I'm desperate for greenery in my house. And, for another post: are there sculptural succulents that will thrive indoors in a cold, mid-winter state?
Spikey plants are my secret weapons! No animal, not even an iguana, wants a spike in the snout. Cats are especially finicky about stepping on uncomfortable things - some recent success has been had by surrounding favorite plants with knick-knacks so that the cats can't easily perch within eating distance. Could this be a good use for a camera collection? Your kitty seems very wily, though - and architectural indoor plants are a definate upcoming post - both for your climate and mine.