It’s all the time attention-grabbing once we introduce a plant we predict is an unbelievable addition to the backyard, however just about nobody purchases it. Thank goodness, it doesn’t occur too typically, however I’m reminded of 1 such case every single day after I get house and admire our row of Agave x striateosa ‘Straight and Slim’. This 2015 introduction was the primary ever hybrid introduction of Agave bracteosa and Agave striata…each non-spiny century crops.
We couldn’t stand to throw out all of the crops that didn’t promote, so we planted a row below a large overhang alongside our house, the place they by no means see any water, and are in shade for greater than half the day. Right here is a type of crops 5 years later, offering a texture and type that you just can’t discover with some other crops that tolerates these situations.
We now have a second seedling from the identical cross, which we’ve by no means been capable of share, however which flowered in 2015. Regardless of our greatest makes an attempt, we weren’t capable of get any seed set. Now, we await the primary flowering of this clone within the hopes it’s extra fertile, so we will create some extra uncommon hybrids. Not like most century crops, Agave striata shouldn’t be monocarpic (doesn’t die after flowering), so we anticipate this hybrid to additionally reside on in perpetuity after flowering. Winter hardiness is Zone 7b-10, at the very least.
