Aloes are semi-tropical succulent plants, and should only be grown outdoors in frost free areas.
It is a stemless or very short stemmed succulent plant that grows to around 600mm–1000mm (24"–39")high.
The serrated leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green with small white teeth.
The pendulous flower with yellow a tubular corolla 20mm–25mm (¾"-1")long is produced in summer on a spike up to 900mm (36") tall. |
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They make excellent house or alpine garden plants when they are given sufficient light.
When grown in pots* they require well-drained sandy potting soil,a pre-packaged "cacti and succulent mix" is ideal.
*Terracotta pots are preferable as they are porous.
The pots should be placed in a bright sunny spot.
Potted plants should be allowed to completely dry out prior to re-watering.
They are relatively resistant to pests, although spider mites, mealy bugs, scale insects and aphids may affect them.
Propagation; is done by removing the offsets(pups) the plants produce at soil level.
Note; It is recommended that these offsets are removed annualy choose whether they are potted on or not. This allows the parent plant more growing space in its pot and it removes the ideal location for pest infestations to develop.
Winter care; The plants become dormant, during which little moisture is required.
Over-watering at this stage can cause root rot.
Cultivation;
Week 12; Sow seed in pots/trays and maintain a temperature of 21°C (70°F).
Week 16; Annually pot on plants and offsets as growth dictates in suitable sized pots of John Innes No 2 (or equivalent).
Keep the plants in good light at all times.
Week 26; Remove offsets and leave them to dry for a couple of days, then pot them up in well-drained sandy potting soil.
Place them outdoors in a sunny position during the summer and give them plenty of water in hot weather.
In winter maintain a minimum temperature of 5°C (40°F) and only enough water to keep the plants just moist.
