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Agave guiengola
Ideally, place in full sun or partial shade.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. Reduce watering in winter.
It can withstand temperatures as low as -6.7 °C for short periods. However, the plant is not frost-resistant.
A. guiengola is named after Cerro Guiengola, a limestone mountain. The rocky and isolated environment of this mountain has given rise to a whole range of unique species.
Agave guiengola, also known by the English name Dolphin Agave, is a striking species native to southern Mexico. The specific epithet guiengola refers to Cerro Guiengola, a limestone hill in the state of Oaxaca where this agave was first discovered.
The plant forms a large rosette of pale green to bluish leaves. The leaves are broad, smooth, and surprisingly soft to the touch, yet they bear numerous dark brown marginal teeth and are tipped with a sharp brown terminal spine. The rosette can reach up to about 1.2 m in height and approximately 1.8 m in diameter, although plants grown in containers remain noticeably smaller.
After a long vegetative period, usually after 15 to 25 years, the plant produces a tall, unbranched flowering spike. This inflorescence can grow up to 3 m tall and carries pale yellow flowers, after which the main rosette dies.
Agave guiengola requires a very well-draining substrate and a sunny position. Watering should be rather moderate and always only after the substrate has dried. It is an undemanding agave that stands out for its attractive growth and is a good choice for growers looking for a bold yet easy-to-maintain solitary plant.