Aloe ballyi

[Geoff]

shot from a few months ago

Aloe ballyi doing well 11-13.jpg (147.27 KiB) Viewed 7213 times

This is a very rare Kenyan aloe in cultivation and one of the few actually toxic aloe species (along with Aloe elata, often confused with this tree species). Grows up to 18 feet tall in the wild, but so far I have no idea how tall it can get... only have a seedling (which I have taken with me to Acton)... fast grower even as a dinky seedling an in just a year it will need to be moved up to a 5 gallon (got as a two leaf seedling a year ago). Pale green leaves and solitary stem. Supposed to have dull reddish pink flowers, but could be years before (if ever) I get a shot of some.

[GreekDesert]

I have previously collected some aloes, but that's a long time ago and many of them froze to death in a very cold winter. The aloe shown has always interested me but unfortunately not available in Europe, so I've never seen one. Very interesting also that there is aloes which are toxic. Of which I have never heard of.
We know only of the healing forces of some aloes.
Aloe elata also sounds interesting to, did you have in the culture?

[Geoff]

no, never seen that one offered.

[Jkwinston]

A Nursery in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria

IMG_8044v.jpg (139.09 KiB) Viewed 6963 times

Gran Canaria

IMG_8043v.jpg (148.79 KiB) Viewed 6963 times

[aldannyoe]

Aloe ballyi-Southern California Rancho Soledad Nursery

[Viegener]

Aloe ballyi, about 4 years old, slow growing until this year. The leaves are brittle & easily break in half, as you can see.