Mangave
Culture Sheet
72ct
Container:
1 Quart (8 Count)
When to Plant:
Early summer
Finish:
Larger varieties with broader foliage finish quicker at 8-10 weeks, narrow foliage / compact varieties finish slower at 12-14 weeks
Growing Temperature:
68-75° F
Holding Temperature:
60-65° F
Soil PH:
6.2-6.8
EC (What is EC?):
1.0-1.25 pour through method
Fertility:
Feed once every two weeks with a light 100 ppm drench of liquid fertilizer.
Do not over feed.
Vernalization:
Avoid cold temperatures.
Pests & Diseases:
Pests to scout for include thrips, scale and mealybug, and Eriophyid mites. A good indication of mites on mangave is an area on the foliage of discoloration, which often resembles an oil stain.
Avoid overly wet conditions, which can lead to crown and root rots.
Potting & Timing:
Plant small plugs into 1 quart pots in early summer.
Use a growing media with extremely good drainage.
Moisture:
Moderate moisture is needed for younger plants to stay active. Avoid overly wet or extreme dry conditions. A good rule of thumb is to water mangave like you would a hosta.
Planting Level:
Top of the plug should be level with the soil line.
Lighting:
High light levels are required.
It is best to provide supplemental lighting if holding plants through the winter.
Other Comments:
Mangave finish much quicker than Agave. This makes them a good choice if you are looking to sell the plants in the same season.
Grower Tips:
Mangave should be held at warm temperatures above 60° F through the winter.
Extended cool temperatures can cause the plant to decline. It is best to provide light in the winter months to prevent the plants from stretching.
Plants should be held slightly dry during winter, but be sure to avoid excessive dryness.
The spotting and distinctive coloration on mangave is intensified by UV light. During winter months if plants are grown indoors or in a greenhouse under poly, the color and spotting will fade, but will intensify again once they receive a couple weeks of direct sunlight.
Some mangave cultivars flower more readily than others. When they flower, the plant that the flower came from will eventually die, but pups are sent out around the base that will perpetuate the plant. These pups can be divided off and replanted.
