Propagating agave

Mar 12, 2025 09:14:00

Hey all, I'm here because I figured it was the best spot, if not feel free to let me know where to go next.

I've been looking a little into propagating Agave, specifically a native blue agave that grows in my area, and I've found few good resources on that propagation. I'm fairly big into homebrewing- because it's fun, really- and although I don't need more sugars in my diet a bit of pulque would be nice. Potentially some tequila if I can keep my mouth shut about it. I was hoping any of you who have experience cultivating these from wild plants could share that with us, and if you'd be willing to provide pictures alongside.

My research so far has turned up that pups off of the base plant's root system are the best propagation method, and that they're best propagated by cutting them off the root and letting them callus over, before planting them in the soil. I do have some experience in controlling agave, and even saving one from a premature death (cut the stalk about a few days after it popped out of the heart) but I've not really explored much with cultivation for syrup production. The plants around here do have a drawback, though- they have a horribly irritating (and I think phototoxic) sap that gets on everything if any mechanical cutting tool is used. My dad found this out after cutting up a massive one that had fallen on our driveway with a chainsaw a few years back, that main stem was at least 30ft long. It had obviously been trimmed to prevent the stem from growing before and got absolutely massive as a result.

Ramblings aside, feel free to drop any agave knowledge here, from propagation to general use as well!

Mar 12, 2025 09:47:50

When I lived in Mexico there were Agave Farms where the agave had spigot on them to tap the juice to make tequila.

I feel you are right about rooting the pups.

Maybe wearing gloves when handling the pups would be a good idea.

Mar 12, 2025 10:02:16

Anne Miller wrote:When I lived in Mexico there were Agave Farms where the agave had spigot on them to tap the juice to make tequila.

I feel you are right about rooting the pups.

Maybe wearing gloves when handling the pups would be a good idea.

For sure, but they're not hard to handle without gloves. Just grab at the base, there's no spines. I wonder about that spigot, though- Maybe similar to tapping a tree? What I think I'll go for is cutting off the stalk early in the growth season for the canes (around july? They all pop up at different times) and hollow out what's left. Apparently they collect the sap in the heart and cutting the cane lets you get at it. Might try a tap route, though- seems easier than going out with a ladle once a day.

Mar 18, 2025 14:41:07

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).

If a tomato is a fruit, does that mean ketchup is a smoothie? What if we mix in a tiny ad?

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