I didn't have an Agave Victoria-reginae in my garden and I still don't. I thought I was going to when I picked up this, labeled as such, plant at the Austin cactus and succulent show a few years ago. When it started making pups I knew I didn't have the plant I wanted. This is Agave ferdinadi-regis.
To my mind the king has nothing on the queen. The leaves a have a more open structure and then it has all these attendants! However, he has been there for about 5 years and I suppose that means he will stay. Maybe I'll eventually get my queen.
Then there is the Agave ovatifolia. This was my first one. Notice how the leaves fold over giving an open vase appearance. Then compare with this.
Also sold to me as Agave ovatifolia, but quite different. The leaves are more upright. I would never guess that this was Agave ovatifolia. When it put out a pup I called the nursery where it was grown. They called the seed merchant in Germany who stand by their identification! It certainly has a different form but it is not unloved.
I might also include packets of seeds that don't live up to the the pictures on the cover. Lots of those.
Have you always got what you bargained for?
