Observations After Two Years of Farming Agave Weber Azul and Espadín, Feb 2025
Agave Angustifolia var. Espadín
Based on our experience, espadín is far more resilient in California than its cousin, Weber azul. Despite winter lows near or below freezing in the mornings and afternoon highs typically in the mid-50s to 60s, espadín continues to grow through the winter. Cooler temperatures often cause the leaves to turn a shade of purple.
Our espadín fields appear more uniform in size and health when compared to Weber azul and produce clones (pups) a year earlier. We were thrilled to see shoots emerging after only 11 months. Now, nearly two years since planting, we have more than enough espadín clones to meet the demands of our 2025 planting.
Agave Tequilana var. Weber Azul
Weber azul (blue agave) has proven to be more sensitive to California’s climate, latitudes, and elevation compared to espadín. We planted clones sourced from various growers in Jalisco’s highlands, chosen for their exposure to lower temperatures and reputation for producing exceptional tequilas.
Despite this, we’ve observed greater variability among these plants, regardless of grower. While some are thriving, others lag their counterparts in Mexico, with some showing signs of stress such as leaf curl, yellowing, and poor growth. We believe a lot of this can be mitigated with improved nutrition. To address this, we are taking petiole samples and consulting with colleagues in Mexico. Along with standard macronutrients like NPK, we are focusing on key micronutrients such as magnesium, calcium, and sulfur.
Healthier Weber azul plants are beginning to produce pups, and we expect to see more clones/growth this spring. In Mexico, it’s typical to harvest Weber azul pups in the third year of production.
To adapt Weber azul to California’s unique terroir, we plan to isolate stronger plants and harvest their bulbils. They will then be taken to a greenhouse before being field-planted, with the goal of creating a more robust blue agave suited for California. Additionally, we aim to better understand the agave growth cycle by clipping the spears from the inner leaves of random samples and counting new leaves/spears every 30 days or so. With this information we hope to chart annual growth patterns to optimize our fertilization schedule.
Best Practices for Planting Weber Azul
Here are a few planting tips based on both experience and advice from our friends in Mexico:
Use healthy pups: Select the healthiest pups, ideally 1st or 2nd cuttings from the mother plant, and ensure they show no signs of rot (CLAVO) inside.
Plant promptly: Its OK to let them harden off for a week or so, but get them in the ground shortly thereafter
Plant at the right depth: Ensure about one-third of the bulb remains above the soil. Planting too deeply can hinder growth.
Use a root stimulant: We’ve had success with Dip N Grow.
Water initially, then leave them alone: Give the plants thorough watering at planting and let the ground dry out after several weeks or even a month. Avoid overwatering
Monitor root development: Regularly dig around the plant base to check for root growth rather than waiting for visible new leaves. Be hands-on and proactive.
As our friends in Mexico tell us “…it’s not any one thing for success…it’s a lot of little things!”