Sunday, December 2, 2007

Aloe sp.

Aloe sp.

When searching for a flower to photograph for today I realized I had written very little about the Aloe genus although I have about six different species in my garden. This is the time of year when various Aloe species start sending up stalks in preparation for their late December, January and February flowering. Although the tubular shaped flowers of this Aloe have not yet opened, they are close to it, and they will remain yellow.

I am not sure of the species of this particular Aloe. There are over 300 species in the genus, divided into eight types. The types are, Stemless, Grass, Tree, Creeping, Dwarf, Rambling, Single-stemmed and Speckled. This one is obviously in the Speckled Aloe group. Most Aloes come from Arabia, Madagascar and Africa.

In Phoenix, Aloes need light shade and some frost protection. I did not heed this advice and I planted this Aloe in full sun. It struggles through the summer, but in fall and winter, it perks up and consistently produces flowers. Last winter it received some frost damage, but I cut away those leaves and it has continued to thrive. Perhaps I’ll move it to a shadier spot in spring.

If anyone knows the species identity of this Aloe, I would appreciate some help.


17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh nice shot of the aloe vera... Happy GTS

Mark said...

Hi Aiyana,
Aloe vera has certainly become a plant to save the world...it is used in everything.Has this caused problems with large aloe vera plantations.
Good to see the flowery bit, I have only seen the leaves before.

Cheers Mark

MrBrownThumb said...

Can't help you with the ID but it's nice. Happy GTS

Linda said...

Lovely shot of the aloe, I have some inside but have never had any blooms or shoots on them like yours.
We are having a winter storm for GTS

kml said...

Aiyana - I have never seen an aloe flower before - I didn't even know they did! I have had aloes as houseplants for over 25 years. I must be depriving them of something since they produce no flowers. Perhaps a summer outside might help them. Yours are gorgeous!

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

That is the first time I have seen a aloe bloom! I have an aloe as a houseplant of course here in Iowa that is about 15 years old and I have never seen a blossom.

Garden Wise Guy said...

Aloe dilemma! So many species and hybrids - I just posted a few at my Flickr site that I need some help with. Anyway, stunning shot...

Happy Green Thumb Sunday!

irst time at your blog. Yours is the first I've stopped at that posted a Green Thumb Sunday article. I'm browsing around as a new member of Green Thumb Sunday. I'm enjoying what I see! If you have a chance to pop over to my blog, please stop to say 'hi'. It's lonely out here on the Left Coast. We still have a bit of puny fall color ourselves and all the subtropical stuff is still in bloom.

Today's photo combines a bit of Sweet Gum and a stunning Mexican Marigold bush. Enjoy the holiday season!

Garden Wise Guy said...

Just stopped by for my first read on Green Thumb Sunday. Great blog - just added you to my blogroll.

This is my visit to your site for Green Thumb Sunday. I'm new to it, so I hope this is the way it's done. Have a click over to my gardenwiseguy blog if you have a moment. It’s lonely here on the Left Coast, but the subtropical stuff is still in bloom and the palm trees a blowing in the Santa Barbara breezes.

kate said...

I like Aloes - I didn't realise there were quite so many different types. Most of the ones I find here are the pretty common ones. I have one that smells awful when a piece is broken off of it. My other ones are smaller - only three have ever bloomed.

Muum said...

I also didn't realize that Aloe bloomed. I always learn something when I come to visit your blog!

kate said...

You might want to try the Thunbergia grandiflora vine because it is supposed to love lots and lots of heat and sunshine. It certainly doesn't mind being on the dry side ... at least it didn't seem to mind my lack of watering this summer.

Anonymous said...

Nice shot, Wish my allow bloomed..

My Chutney Garden said...

I've never seen an aloe bloom before.
Thank you for sharing this lovely flower. It's so healthy looking.
Happy GTS
Sharon

Leah said...

That's a very healthy aloe. Our has died ages ago.

thanks for your visit over at
http://www.mga-munimuni.info/

Julie said...

Very nice photo. You know there is a person who might be able to ID your Aloe. Her mane is Eurica Teichmann, in South Africa. She has all sorts of Aloes. She is at www.aloegardenwilderness.blogspot.com
Sorry, I cannot hyperlink the address...I am tech challenged in the comment sections!
Good luck with it...
Julie (let me know if she knows the answer)!!!

Aiyana said...

Thanks for all the comments. Since I wonder if the reason most folks haven't seen flowers is that most are grown indoors. I don't know if that makes a difference--I've never grown any in the house.
Julie,
I'll check out the source you provided and let you know if I hear from her.

Anonymous said...

aloe sinkatana - yellow var.