posted 6 months ago
Alright, after a short hiatus and a bit of searching, I have found a few new things.
1. Pups aren't necessary and may actually be bad for long term production- as they have the exact same genetics, this can leave them vulnerable to disease. This unfortunately leaves few alternatives, but:
2. If you cut down the stalk before it fully dries, then pick off the fruits (once the plant starts to go a little purple, that seems to be the right time) and dry them out, you get a lot of incredibly viable seeds. 95-100% germination rate as long as they're black seeds (I do not know how long they keep for, found from an agave enthusiast forum that I can't remember at the moment).
I managed to find a dried stalk on my family's property and didn't get anything. I found a second that I had cut earlier on, and voila! Seeds! Lots of them from one head, at least fifty, even after months just sitting out on the ground. I've now started them in an old paper egg carton and we'll be seeing how that goes, and hopefully I'll soon have some lovely little sprouts, capable once they're large enough of producing everything between aguamiel (and thus pulque) and sisal fibers useful in a whole lot of things. Let's hope, they're lovely, beautiful plants that can produce up to a thousand liters of aguamiel a season at peak production, strong but coarse sisal fibers good for high-strength rope and sackmaking (I'm sure they could be used for sandals, slings, and just about anything that could be made by weaving), and if I get a large enough mill for them, mezcal (and tequila, if I built something to steam instead of roasting them).