Mexican Agave

By SKEETER
After our Disney World visit, we returned to our Georgia Gardens for one day. Yep, I had one day to unpack, do laundry and repack for our Winter Vacation! At times, I do think I am a gluten for punishment.

We checked into our Mobile, Alabama hotel where we were greeted by this unusual Christmas tree. Unusual not due to the Ocean theme, after all, we were at the ocean. Unusual due to being upside down. I found this a most whimsical tree and it made me smile.

I awoke the next morning in time to see this beautiful sunrise from our window! The Saint had the coffee going as I called the remainder of our party (10 people total) to have them share in this glorious sight. You can see the USS Alabama battleship's silhouette.
We sat on the lounger enjoying the sunrise with coffee in hand and also watched as our ride cruised into port!

My gardens suffered with no new pine straw mulching and no major plant purchases last year in order for us to partake in this Winter Vacation with friends. But sometimes, you gotta save a bit here to enjoy life a bit there. Our journey took us to Mexico where the sunrises and sunsets were awesome each day!
The yellow of this Cozumel church popped using the blue sky as a background. I love the colors blue and yellow together. I have toured many churches while living in Europe and I must say this church in Mexico is more of a simple church then the fancy European versions. The Catholics in our group, knelt and said a prayer for our safe journey home.
Our tour then took us to the Tequila Museum. Next to our destination we spotted this building. The sign had us all thinking and giggling. One thing we learned: It is mandatory for everyone calling Cozumel, Mexico home to learn the English language.

Now to the Museum where we also found a Free Pee Pee station.Out front, I had a close up look at the Bougainvillea. I spotted these all over the island and in full bloom. Seeing something in full bloom in the month of December was a treat! I kept watching a Hummingbird buzzing around it but could not get him to pose for me.
To the left of the Bougainvillea was this mass of fruit. I cannot remember the name of it but someone in our party recognised this from his days of living in California. It is edible but tart they said. I love the orange color of the fruit.
The tour of the Tequila Museum was most interesting. Here is an example of an Agave field. I talked about Agave in the past when posting on the Century Plant . These Agave pictured here are not native to this area of Mexico. They are brought there to show the real Tequila making Agave plant to tourist. Just as the French claim fame to Real Champagne, A certain region of Mexico claims fame to real Agave producing Tequila. This Agave does not do well with salt air thus the native region is found away from the ocean in the middle of Mexico. Don't ask me the name of the region as my aging (okay, Tequila drinking) brain does not remember.
An Agave plant must be 10 years old before it can be processed into Tequila. Each year, they trim the leaves of the plant until they have a root ball as large as the one here on display. The ball is cooked and goes through a process to become Tequila.
Once inside, we were free to sample the different tequilas. I had never before seen flavored tequila! I am not a fan of Tequila unless in a margarita but I must admit the almond and coffee flavored along with the blue stuff (Name escapes me) were yummy!

This is my favorite way of indulging in Tequila. Good friends, the beach and some tooty fruity! Oh so refreshing.... This was our second cruise and we are hooked! Only drawback to them is the time goes by way too quickly, sigh but there is always next year! This was our fond farewell from the skies before we headed back home to Georgia. This year I hope to slow down a bit and maybe enjoy some MEXICAN AGAVE, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Century Plant

A few years ago, our local newspaper published an interesting article on a locally blooming Century Plant. The Saint and I found the article so interesting that we had to drive by and check it out. Of course, with such a rarity, I had my camera with me.

Even though this plant appears to be a Cactus, Wikipedia tells me it is a Agave which are closely related to the Iris and Amaryllis families. The Yucca plant is also a Agave.

I find it difficult to believe they are not in the Cactus family because they appear so similar to them. The base is clumped with long leaves that end in a point. Each long leaf contain spines along the edge. I can recall my grandmother having a similar plant in a pot in the kitchen window. We called it a cactus but I wonder if it was a small Century Plant?

The Century Plant only blooms once in its
lifespan. The blooms consist of clumps of yellow tubular flowers. The bloom stalk shoots way up high into the sky at such a fast rate, that it uses all the plants energy. The plant then dies.

The long stalk stands up as if a ships mast standing tall into the sky. I cannot help but think of the Fairy Tale, Jack and the Bean Stalk! Hum, I wonder if a Century Plant was the writers inspiration?

Legend says it takes 100 years for one to bloom, hence the name Century Plant. In reality, the plant only has a life span of about 25 years. As a gardener, waiting 25 years for a plant to bloom can seem like a Century!

Even though this plant dies once bloomed, suckers produced at the base of the stalk form new plants.



This Century Plant is located on one of the routes we travel to town so we see it often. These pictures were snapped on June 30, 2005 but to this day, the dead stalk is still standing tall.

As you can see, this yard contains more then one Century Plant.

I have since, spotted Century Plants in other yards in the older section of town. I wonder if they were at one time, the "IN" plant for the town...

Note:
Longwood Gardens in PA. (Click here) Century Plant 2007 - Longwood Gardens documented a great series of pictures of a Century Plant blooming in their garden. It is amazing how fast the stalk grew! It is worth viewing.

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**I posted a topic with "Pet People" about the progress of our Bluebird family. If anyone is interested, Click on this sight below and then click the topic title "I am a new Mommy" (beside) Skeeterkitty... Yes, I am a Tuxedo Cat!
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=BLOGS02&groupid=Blog:d67b4443-aac7-4d3b-bc0f-8255cf55bb0e
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