Hybridization of Two Spiking Agaves?

[MJP]

Nice.

I think, as you surmised, the blue seedlings are unhybridized Agave parryi.

Amongst your potted seedlings, however, upon longer scrutinization, there are plants with darker leaves of bluish cast that may in fact be the hoped for hybrid cross, Agave victoriae-reginae x parryi truncata. Time will tell.

At any rate, I envy the diversity of leaf shape, leaf color, and leaf markings that you will have amongst your many seedlings.

You will be spoilt for choice.

[bigdaddyscondition]

All good to know. I shall post periodic updates.

[bigdaddyscondition]

OK, here's an update, along with a question. In June it will be two years since I sowed the seeds. Growth has been slow, which is characteristic of A. vic-reg. A few months ago I potted up some seedlings (second photo). Why do they look so dark and not so healthy as the big group they came from? They are in the same location with the same watering schedule.

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[Gafoto]

I can immediately see that at least one (first row, third from left) has transplant shock. Any of them with shriveled, squishy lower leaves are likely shocked. Usually this is a result of damage to the roots. No matter how careful I am a couple seedlings always seem to have this happen when transplanting them. I usually give them ~6 months to figure their lives out before they get chucked. This happens a lot less once they’re established in their own pots and you can upsize them without disturbing the rootball.

They can take anywhere from a few weeks to almost a year to recover. During this time they will not grow at all, waiting for the right conditions to push out new roots. Make sure they don’t sit in wet soil since they have no live roots to uptake water that you might give them and are susceptible to rotting.

[bigdaddyscondition]

Sounds like good advice; I thought it was transplant shock. I've not seen it before, but this species seems more delicate than others I've grown from seed. Thanks Gafoto.