Re: mysterious plant 'training'

Many years ago I used to pass a garden that was a menagerie of mis-matched
plants.  Once I stopped to get a closer look and was drawn to what looked like
a very unusual form of Agave americana.  I a drew closer to the specimen, a
woman exited the house to talk to me.  She was apparently very proud of her
garden and particularly proud of this Agave.  She explained how it was
inappropriately planted far too close to the pathways in a corner that was not
nearly big enough for such a monster.  To 'solve' this problem, this is what
she did on a routine basis:

As each new Agave leaf emerged, she gingerly bent it backwards (this was a
common variegated form which tended to do this a bit anyway).  Being still
supple enough to bend without damage, she would fold it back all the way and
jam the fierce spine at the very tip into the backside of the swollen leaf
base!  She was immensely proud of her innovation.

With each leaf given this treatment, the plant was reduced in size by half,
looking remarkably like a gigantic package-bow!!!  I am sure I stood there
with my mouth hanging open, unable to choose between pure astonishment and
mirth!

I tried once to get some photos of this curiosity, but the heavily planted
garden made it virtually impossible.  Eventually that house changed hands and
the Agave was the first plant to be removed!

Seán A. O'Hara
sean(at)gimcw.org
www.hortulusaptus.com
(ask about mediterranean climate gardening forum)

> On Sun, September 9, 2007 4:43 am, B. Garcia wrote:
> One sees this with the multitudes of yucca, agave, and Phoenix
> canariensis people here plant in the narrow planting medians between
> the sidewalks and the streets. These medians are only about a meter or
> so wide, but people put cute little agave and Phoenixes in them
> because when they buy them they are small. Then they end up having to
> cut the leaves back because the rather stiff leaves of the palms and
> the sharp dagger-like leaves of the yucca and agave are stabbing
> people. However, no one learns a lesson and they keep planting them.
>
> I remember as a kid there was a rather nice blue green leaved yucca
> that was planted next to the sidewalk at the bottom of a hill.
> Everytime we would ride our bicycles past it, we were afraid of
> getting stabbed, so one would pass by it very gingerly.
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index