Agave potatorum f. compacta

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Since 4 Aug 2013

Agave potatorum f. compacta hort.

Family: AGAVACEAE

Agave potatorum forma compatta ('compact form)
This is the more frequently seen form in cultivation, particularly priced for its small size. The leaves have distinct showy bud-imprints.

Origin and Habitat: Garden origin selected cultivar.

Synonyms:

Agave potatorum f. compacta hort.

See all synonyms of Agave potatorum

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Accepted name in llifle Database:
Agave potatorum f. compacta hort.

Accepted name in llifle Database:
Agave potatorum Zucc.
Nova Acta Phys.-Med. Acad. Caes. Leop.-Carol. Nat. Cur. 16(2): 675 1833
Synonymy: 6

Agave potatorum Zucc.
Agave auricantha hort. ex Baker
Agave potatorum Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico

Agave verschaffeltii Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico

Agave scolymus Karw. in Salm-Dyck

Agave amoena Lem. ex Jacobi

Accepted name in llifle Database:
Agave potatorum var. verschaffeltii A.Berger in A.Berger
Agaven 186, fig. 60 1915

Cultivars (5):

Agave cv. Kisshou-Kan

Agave potatorum cv. Shoji-Raijin hort.

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Description: Agave potatorumSN|540]]SN|540]] forma compatta is a dwarf cultivated form that grows eventually up 20(-30) cm cm tall and in diameter. It is a compact miniature rosette
Leaves: Wide, thick, striking dusty-blue with few short spines and terminate in a distinctive, slightly twisted, reddish spine. The leaf margins display pronounced swellings at the base of the teeth. Usually the leaves shows noticeable leaf imprinting.

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Agave potatorum group

Agave potatorum Zucc.: Small Agave, growing solitary or slowly clumping, that forms an compact to open symmetrical succulent rosette. It is a very polymorphic species with a large range of variability and the size.
Agave potatorum f. compacta hort.: Dwarf cultivated form that grows eventually up to 20(-30) cm tall and in diameter. The leaves have distinct showy bud-imprints.
Agave potatorum Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico: This population has very nice bright orange marginal teeth.
Agave potatorum var. verschaffeltii A.Berger in A.Berger: The old name ''verschaffeltii '' is still in use to distinguish plants with sinuous leaf margins and with teeth atop of outward-projecting bumps.
Agave potatorum cv. Cubic: The leaves grow as if 2 leaves are fused together resulting in some of them having a 4 angled appearance and forming a square shape. Marginal spines can grow on up to all four of the leaf sides.
Agave potatorum cv. Kichijokan: Variegated form with amazing symmetrical lotus like leaf pattern. The leaves have lateral, creamy-coloured variegations. Nice imprints are present on the back side of the leaves. The edges have large rusty coloured teeth and are a purplish/maroonish colour.
Agave potatorum cv. Shoji-Raijin hort.: Also called 'Blue rose' it is tiny rosette of plump blue leaves that stay very small and compact. It produces offsets and forms a small clump of 6-7 cm rosettes. Mature plants stays in 10 cm pots only.
Agave potatorum cv. Shoji-Raijin variegata marginata hort.: Has a creamy-white or pale-green irregular stripe on the edge of the leaf.
Agave potatorum cv. Shoji-Raijin variegata mediopicta hort.: Has a broad white band down the centre of each leaf.

Cultivation and Propagation: Agave potatorumSN|540]]SN|540]] forma compatta is a easy-to-grow species, but isn’t a super fast grower. It grows as a solitary symmetrical rosette, but may produces a few plantlets around its perimeter.
Soils: Grow it in porous soil with adequate drainage.
Light requirements: It does well in full sun or a lightly shaded area.
Waterings: Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. In winter watering this plant can be done once every 1-2 months, there is no need to mist the leaves.
Hardiness: It is supposed to be hardy to -3° C, particularly when dry but it is best to avoid severe freezing temperatures.
Heat Tolerance: Good.
Propagation: Relatively easy to propagate by seeds or by suckers (if available) Remove the basal suckers in spring or summer and let the cuttings dry for a few days before inserting in compost. only problem is the logistics of getting to the suckers - very sharp spines and suckers usually right up against, or underneath the mother plant.
Uses: Often used in a pot as a patio plant, they make an eye-catching statement and along with other evergreen plants in pots, can be moved around to change the scenery or position to give more shelter.

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