Aloe arenicola

[Geoff]

Aloe arencola mine 4-05.JPG (119.52 KiB) Viewed 7674 times

Slow growing (very) South African creeping species with two characteristic life stages, the first one which I have only seen in person. While a younger plant, leaves very thick, spotted, barely toothed, fluted and distichous (two ranks only). Only with age (and I have no idea how long), eventually leaves form a more 'normal' rosette and enlarge. At this stage, most plants have several winding stems, up to 3' long. I have never seen an adult plant, though have had juvenile plants for up to a dozen years... perhaps I just have not seen any in an ideal climate. This is a sluggish plant, often rotting if watered from above, and subject to snail damage. Mine has flowered once, though still in its juvenile, distichous form. Sadly I failed to record time of year of flowering. Have not seen plants damaged by cold in my climate so do not have any idea how cold hardy this one is, but obviously down to 27F is fine. Plants do have a tendency to rot, however, and I invariably lose them (perhaps poor soil and lack of full sun are to blame).

Aloe arenicola flower 3-09.JPG (130.65 KiB) Viewed 7674 times

[Stan]

This is not an easy grow. I did have one start to show potential in ground,then some kid stepped on it. Just like that,gone. Before that..slow,small.
btw,I got mine from UC Berkeley plant sales if you are in the bay area and are looking for the small choice Aloe that doesn't look like an Aloe.

[Spination]

2016 12 14 Aloe arenicola b X750.jpg (299.76 KiB) Viewed 7314 times

[Geoff]

plant in my garden after several years of growth showing multiple branching characteristic, but also the early onset of rot that eventually kills it off.

Aloe arenicola 4-12.jpg (163.02 KiB) Viewed 7296 times

[mickthecactus]

I've had this for some years with no difficulty. This might help?

http://www.succulents.co.za/aloes/creep ... nicola.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Spination]

A couple months shy of a year now, and it's quite a bit bigger. Looks like it's trying to make a getaway - the pot is getting further and further away from the new leaves.

2017 10 29 Aloe arenicola a.jpg (99.45 KiB) Viewed 6902 times

[Stan]

That middle Aloe,looks so much like what I have in my front yard. Aloe cryptopoda?...a good name for Holloweenie. CRYPT..o' poda.

[Spination]

Aloe suzannae. I had a crytopoda, but now it's in a coffin. Last winter was just too much for it. A shame, because I invested years making it a nice, big, beautiful specimen.

[jthiel23]

F781B535-34DC-483C-AAAC-26CA20C64884.jpeg (171.46 KiB) Viewed 6565 times

I picked one up today!