Does anyone know what this is?

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cheshirepalms
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Does anyone know what this is?

Post by cheshirepalms »

I bought this today for 9 pounds, its just the sort of thing I'm looking for, but it didn't have a label or care instructions, was told it was hardy. Does anyone know if this is true, I'm keeping it in the greenhouse for now. Any help and feedback would be good thanks.
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Springy

Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by Springy »

Agave Victoriae reginae I think it's called. Not hardy though by my experience!

Mine flowered about 2 years ago and then died. It was kept in an unheated greenhouse overwinter. Flowers are pretty spectacular though! icon_thumleft
Last edited by Springy on Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Yorkshire Kris
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Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by Yorkshire Kris »

I'll second that.
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redsquirrel
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Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by redsquirrel »

as with all agaves,its cold hardiness depends largely on how dry you can keep it.VR will tolerate -5 or -6c if kept very dry overwinter,let it get wet and its anybodies guess what would let rot set in icon_thumright
mars ROVER broken down. headgasket faillure
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JoelR
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Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by JoelR »

Some text books have A. vic. Reg. down as very hardy e.g. -12C but habitat rainfall is quite a bit less than anywhere in the UK and much less in winter. Should be totally fine in an unheated greenhouse.
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cheshirepalms
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Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by cheshirepalms »

Thanks guys ill think ill pot it up and keep it on the front with the yuccas and cordyline I have there and then put it in the greenhouse from oct to april to be safe. :)
Springy

Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by Springy »

I have just found a few photos of mine when it flowered. Its just a shame that they die after flowering. It was given to me by an elderly woman who's husband was an avid cactus and succulent collector. Unfortunately, he never got to see it flower.

Sorry about my legs!! :ahhh!: :lol:
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Yorkshire Kris
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Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by Yorkshire Kris »

Wow thanks for sharing.
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redsquirrel
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Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by redsquirrel »

great pics Springy,did it get swarmed with wasps?
mars ROVER broken down. headgasket faillure
Springy

Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by Springy »

redsquirrel wrote:great pics Springy,did it get swarmed with wasps?
To be honest I can't remember! When I moved to where I live now, I kept my plants at my mums house. Mum liked this one ( and a few others ) so much that I said she could keep it on her patio. I only got to see it at weekends when I'd pop in for a coffee! I do remember that every flower produced a seed pod but I didn't save any seed. I'm kicking myself about that now!
For an idea of scale...I am 6' tall! I haven't yet found a photo of it in full flower showing it's final height. If I find one I'll post it at a later date icon_thumleft
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cheshirepalms
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Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by cheshirepalms »

That's an impressive flower! How old was it before it flowered and did it need any special requirements or temps to flower?
Springy

Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by Springy »

cheshirepalms wrote:That's an impressive flower! How old was it before it flowered and did it need any special requirements or temps to flower?
Hard to say about age really. I was pretty much that size when I was given it and I'd had it for around 5+ years before it flowered. If I remember right, it was a really warm spring and it was still not being watered much as the threat of frosts had only just about finished. It could have been a mixture of being dry and hot that kicked it off or just that it was of such an age that it was it's time to flower.
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JoelR
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Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by JoelR »

Impressive finale to an impressive plant :shock:
call

Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by call »

must get :D :D :D :D :D :D
Roch

Re: Does anyone know what this is?

Post by Roch »

Yes, it is an agave victoria reginae. Ridiculously cheap at £9....well done.
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