growing aloes
When growing your aloes it is good to know what the aloe habitat
of that aloe species is and try to imitate that as much as
possible. On the other hand, most aloes for sale are hybrids
and even if they were a species, it is seldom possible to get
the right identification.
There are a few rules that can be followed for any aloe.
Aloe hybrids are much easier than aloe species in that the
hybrid has a wider choice of growing conditions inherited from
at least two different aloes species.
In the wild aloe habitat most species occur on hill/mountain
slopes or ridges. Follow this pattern by giving aloe plants
plenty large and small stones around the roots for drainage.
Good drainage is essential; as is humus and old manure. In the
wild, leaves and dry grass get blown amongst the rocks and
stones. Add some Dolomite gravel it will not harm the plants as
it dissolves slowly so that it gives a good calcium/magnesium
balance which is appreciated by most, and essential to some
aloes. If dolomite is not available, sprinkle roughly one half
teaspoon Epsom salts and a full teaspoon lime around the plants
at monthly intervals for 3-4 months in the rainy season. Aloes
can withstand some rain and water in a warm climate provided
they get a chance to dry out every few days. Aloes can also
withstand short periods of frost in a dry climate. Growing
aloes in the open garden, in a wet cold climate is near to
impossible. However by planting aloes in pots or containers and
moving them inside you can still grow your aloes.
Having said that - Aloe polyphylla comes from the high
mountains in Lesotho, covered in mist and often in snow - this
aloe is very difficult to grow in other areas in South Africa.
However it is growing virtually without problem in the United
Kingdom and many countries with cold wet winters, which brings
us back to - “aloes are easy to grow given the right climate and
growing medium for that aloe species”.
Aloes are easy going and need very little maintenance. The two
ways to kill an aloe easy is with water and by aphids(with the
help of ants).
For summer rainfall areas. An aloe can go for months without
water, but they rot very easy when wet. Keep them in a dry
place and resist the temptation to water them. They will not
die of thirst. How much water is the difficult question. Once
or twice per month in the summer - only in desert regions.
Where summer rain occur, do not water the aloes. In very cold
climates, no water in winter. No need to water in winter in
any case, as they will get enough water in the summer.
For winter rainfall areas. Here the rules will be once or twice
a month in the summer for the summer growing aloes only. Which
is most aloes. Plant the aloes on stones to keep the water
running off quickly from the winter rain. Not many aloes will
grow in the winter rainfall areas, try to get aloes that have
been doing well in your area. We are in a winter rainfall area,
but our rainfall is not very high and we get no frost. The
number one enemy of aloes are ants Watch out for any sign of
ants. They carry the aphids into the crevices of the rosette
where the aphids damage the plants and that is a very quick way
to loose an aloe to rot Aphids/ants:- Wash the aloe plants
with a dish washing liquid that contains lemon in a dry climate
and where the infestation is still on a small scale. However
in a wet climate - it will be necessary to use a poison powder
in the case of damage where there are already a lot of aphids .
The danger of rot is high, keep the damaged aloe plant dry.
wishing you green thumbs up
