Cutflower Nomenclature

Scientific/Botanical Name:

Genus: Aloe

Specie: A. vera

Variety/Cultivar:

English Name:

 

Common Name:

Aloe

Botanical Family:

Name in Latin: Xanthorrhoeaceae

Name in English: Grass Tree Family

The Plant

Origin: South Africa

Growth Habit: Stemless succulent growing to 60-100cm, spreading by offsets, some with white flecks. Margin of the leaf is serrated and has small white teeth.

Flower:Almost stemless, fleshy leaves more than a foot (30cm) long in a rosette. Flowers are orange-red on a leafless stalk. , spike up to 90 cm , pendulous with a yellow tubular corolla.

Blooming Period: produced in summer

Leaf: leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green ,

Usage:

Widely grown as ornamental plant. Popular as medicinal plant

Care and Handling

Soil: the best mix is 50/50 soil/sand but not beach sand. river sand is best.

Amount of water: Drench the soil and let it become barely moist between waterings

Nutrition: feed only twice a year, once in April and once in July with a water soluble fertilizer.

Special handling: 10-24°C well drained sandy soil , bright sunny conditions , in very hot or subtropical conditions- protect from sun.

Special feature/remarks:

Terra cotta pots preferable for potting. Potted aloe should dry completely before re watering. When potted aloes become crowded with "pups" growing from the sides of the "mother plant," they should be divided and re-potted to allow room for further growth and help prevent pest infestations.