‘Aloe’ has become a household name thanks to the worldwide marketing success of Aloe vera – the medicine plant. Aloes vera and Aloe ferox now in cultivation, have become the basis of a worldwide medicinal, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.
Aloes In Commercial Products
Selected from about 450 species mostly originating in southern Africa, their health promoting qualities have helped bring this attractive group of plants into the public’s eye. No doubt there are many other species under investigation with plans for future commercial products.
These drought tolerant succulents range from tiny clumps through to large trees, but most would not exceed two metres in height.
Fleshy Leaves With Toothed Margins
Generally fleshy leaves with toothed margins are arranged in rosettes or spirals giving an unwarranted fierce or sharply spined look.
Most Aloes are frost sensitive, preferring mild winters. My specimens have blackened leaf tips due to cold winter nights, but so far they have survived and manage to put on a little growth each summer. It is very important to keep Aloes dry in winter as they easily when cool and wet.
My Bright Orange-Red Aloes In Winter
Apart from climatic problems pests and diseases are not a big issue. Bitter sap has deterred rabbits and hares while few insect problems have been encountered since planting in 2008.
My Aloes were planted mainly to provide some winter colour as they produce bright orange-red flower spikes at this time. Still small, these plants do however provide enough leaves for application on sunburnt skin, scratches and mosquito bites.
Aloes On My Hobby Farm
Currently my plantings include:
- Aloe arborescence – reaching 2 metres in my location, this will take many years on the farm due to tough growing conditions.
- Aloe ferox – growing from 2 to 3 metres, it needs regular maintenance due to the accumulation of old dead leaves.
- Aloe succtrina – developing into a small dense shrub spreading outwards from compact branches. Its medicinal properties are currently being studied as this species produces a dark sap with reputed antibiotic properties.
Propagating Aloes By Cuttings
Cuttings are an easy way to propagate these plants, striking readily in good propagating mix – rewarding you with bright bird attracting flowers within a couple of years. When planting out in the garden, good drainage and a sunny spot are their main needs, combined with frost protection in winter.
Having to contend with winter frosts it will be many years before my Aloes develop into an attractive hedge, but they have already provided some relief for scratches and skin infections – and slowly but surely they are adding a little magic to the farm.