Category Archives: Agave

Posts about Agave, a genus of succulent plants from America

Succulent plants grown in the Canary Islands

succulent-plants-in-the-canary-islands Canarius | Monday November 7th, 2016 |

The so-called succulent plants include thousands of species located in arid zones around the planet. The Canary Islands are a clear example of the ideal place for these succulent species to grow, thanks to their unique climatic conditions: warm, arid, and windy environment.

The succulent plants or “fat plants” are water retention species, which are adapted to drought conditions. These plants store succum (juice, water) in their leaves, stems, or roots, and often show a thick and fleshy appearance.

The Weather in the Canary Islands

euphorbia-milii-cv-mini

EUPHORBIA MILII CV. MINI

In the Canarian archipelago, there is a Mediterranean-subtropical climate. This means that during the coldest months of the year, the species take a “winter break”. Also, the sun and wind prevailing in the Islands help to keep under control and naturally the fungus or other diseases that could affect these plants.

Typically, the oceanic volcanic islands, arising from the bottom of the sea, are home to unique floras and faunas as a consequence of their development in small enclosures and areas isolated from direct contact with the continent.

In this sense, and at least as far as plants are concerned, in the Canary Islands, there are abundant cases of so-called adaptive radiation or insular differentiation, with flourishing endemic species.

The vegetal landscape of the low zone of the Canary Islands is characterised by the abundant presence of succulent and semi-succulent plants, dominating within them the species of the genus Euphorbia, that come to give a name to the main communities of vegetables. Plants of this type of vegetation have developed strategies to support the arid and semi-desert climate of these areas.

The origin of most of the species that we can find here is North African and to a lesser extent Mediterranean, among the most common succulent plants belonging to the Euphorbiaceae (Euphorbia), Asclepiadoideae (Ceropegia, Caralluma), Crassulaceae (Aeonium, Monanthes), and Asteraceae (Kleinia) families.

Succulent plants in the Canary Islands are grown mainly outdoors and in full sun. Most of these plants are exported to continental Europe; others end up in the most famous natural parks of the Islands.

In our online store of succulent plants, you can find the most outstanding species of this family. Canarius offers a selection of succulent plants endorsed by the highest quality since they have been grown outdoors and under the full sun of the Canary Islands.

Keep up to date with our website. We’ve got new plants!

Canarius | Friday August 7th, 2015 |

New-succulent-plants-on-Canarius We have recently uploaded more new plants on our website and some species are truly extraordinary! There are lots of new heliconias, aloes, hoyas, palms, and bananas. We are just starting with succulents and many more will come in the following weeks. Right after, we will explain some of these new species: – Amorphophallus titanum, the Titan Arum, produces the largest of all “flowers”. It is an incredible monster that is seldom seen in cultivation only the best botanical gardens keep one in their greenhouses and few lucky collectors. – Mangifera casturi, the Kasturi mango. This is a different, rare mango species, considered sacred in Borneo. It has the flavour of all flavours. It is grafted on Mango Gomera-1 to increase cold resistance. A true release! – Aspidistra cv. Asa Ahi. It is one of the most sought-after variegated perennials from Japan. The new leaves take almost two years to get the snow-white top that drives everybody crazy. It is frost-hardy and it can live indoors as a house plant. -  Hechtia tillandsioides: A cold-hardy terrestrial bromeliad with spineless soft silvery leaves. Seldom seen for sale, it will also bless your garden with huge “sprays” of pink flowers. – Rhapis excelsa VARIEGATED CULTIVARS. It took a lot of years to make the mother plants grow, but the first plants are now ready for sale! We offer different named clones of these uncommon variegated plants. They are also perfect as indoor plants for your home!

Remember that we are lucky due to any delivery from the Canary Islands travels as airmail, so the box often travels during just 3-8 days and skips any spell of cold or heat. Contact us if you have any question. Would you like to buy any sort of these plants? You just have to go into our online store y choose your favourite one. Go ahead!

Furcraea gigantea variegata in the nursery

Canarius | Wednesday December 22nd, 2010 |

Furcraea gigantea variegata is a spectacular ornamental plant for Mediterranean to Tropical climates.

When a specimen blooms, it produced a huge, tall structure with abundant flowers. Some months later, hundreds of aerial pups are produced on the inflorescence and they are collected for reproduction. A few, non-variegated (non-striped) plants are discarded and only the variegated plants are kept. Here you can see some small pups rooting in the nursery.  This picture was taken in Spring 2010.  Nine months later, these plants are ready for the market and average 40-50 cm in height.

These plants are NOW AVAILABLE ! – You can buy them in the Agave Section of our shop.

Furcraea gigantea variegata in the nursery

Furcraea gigantea variegata in the nursery

A new variegated Agave attenuata from Tenerife

Canarius | Wednesday December 1st, 2010 |

We grow a new variegated form of Agave attenuata with striped leaves. It is unique because it appeared in the Canary Islands from a normal plant. In 2004, the local plant grower Luís Borja obtained the original variegated branch from a plant grown in Tegueste, Northern Tenerife. Agave attenuata Tenerife is only reproduced by pups, so it takes a lot of time to make many plants.

We reproduced the plant on a small scale and it was released in 2010 with the name Tenerife.

Agave attenuata Tenerife is a very stable variegated clone of Agave attenuata. Stripes are yellow, often close to the margins but sometimes scattered anywhere in the blade. Leaves are particularly waxy.

Variegated Agave attenuata Tenerife

Variegated Agave attenuata Tenerife

Agave attenuata Tenerife is a good grower if compared to other variegated types of  Agave attenuata, because it is quite fast growing and it will seldom or never burn in full sun.

Agave attenuata variegata Tenerife

Agave attenuata variegata Tenerife

You can buy rooted pups of this succulent plant in the Agave Shop, at Canarius.com.

The following pictures show normal, non-varigated pictures of Agave attenuata, which is a widespread ornamental plant in the Canary Islands,

Normal Agave attenuata in Tenerife

Normal Agave attenuata in Tenerife

 

Agave attenuata Clump

Clump of a typical, non-variegated Agave attenuata