Expert: Greg Simpson - 1/9/2008

Question
i have a  variegated false agave, sorry i don't know the correct name.
 i think it might have a disease or is burnt by cold weather (but doubt that seeing  how the new growth has this too.).   i bought the plant full grown(?) 2ft.3ft tall at Lowe's on clearance in April 07 for something like 2 bucks. they had it marked down because it had brown streaks in the leafs all over, the lady thought it would die so she gave it to me for 90%off. it survived the whole summer making new pups and continuing to grow but all the while keeping on producing theses  brown shriveled streaks in the leafs (some looked like they were sapping, and after became a hole 2-3 in long lining the horizontal with the variegation, even the newest baby i pulled off in Sept. and repotted has these odd streaks forming.  is  it some sort of disease?

i live in Seattle, and i let it snow  on the plants seeing  that it never lasts for more than one day and it is not very pretty of a plant any way with the brown dead streaks. don't know  how hardy they are, do you know?.

Answer
Aron,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. If it is possible, please send me a photo of the plant to greg8365@hotmail.com. I can not tell from your description if you have an Agave, Aloe, Yucca, or some other plant. Plus it would be very helpful to see the damage. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Greg