Aloes

Now here is something that grows without much effort.  Whether it be from a cutting or from seed, I have had very few cases where an aloe would not take.

In a time where our natural resources are under pressure, growing water-wise plants such as Aloes does not have to result in a boring garden.  On the contrary, it make for a garden that is beautifully in sync with the natural surrounds, and provide ideal habitat for all the little creatures so often being "locked-out" because of foreign, decorative, plants that does not provide the required habitat to our species of animals, birds, etc.

I am not an Aloe expert, so I cannot tell you the proper names of these plants in the pictures blow, but I can tell you that I grew them myself

		The Aloe on the left, as far as my knowledge goes, is sometimes referred to as a mountain Aloe, but I stand corrected.  This guy was grown from a small branch that broke off a much larger plant. In it's current location, it hardly ever gets water, except if it rains. At the foot of this aloe, their is a Noem-Noem (a.k.a Carissa Macrocarpia)
The Aloe above was grown from seed that was picked from an Aloe growing at the Van Staden's river bridge in the Eastern Cape. The seed was germinated about five years ago, and the plant is about chest height at this stage.  It is a fierce grower in the last two years, having more than doubled in size.	On the right, in the centre of the picture, is a suckling that formed on a flower stalk during last season. I suppose that, come spring, I will cut this guy off and start another plant.
.	Pictured on the left, is the smaller Hedgehog Aloe, which produce quite a number of suckling at it's base on a regular basis.  These suckling have already been grown into some 15, or so mature plants On the right, there is the much sought after Aloe Vera, with its medicinal properties.  Break a piece off, rub it on that scratch, and see it healing much quicker.  That's what the folklore is, and since I am no medical expert, don't hold me responsible for your actions!

Last Updated

13 August 2010