Aloe VANBALENII

Aloe VANBALENII - Van Balen's aloe, Aloe vanbalenii.

Aloe is a genus of very popular succulent plants belonging to the Asphodel family (Asphodelaceae). This genus comprises approximately 400 species and includes a large number of plants that feature fleshy and very succulent leaves with fairly soft spines arranged on them. There are shrubby, arborescent, herbaceous forms, as well as lianas. In the wild, aloe can be found in Africa, with a large number of species growing on the Arabian Peninsula and in Madagascar. Translated from Arabic, "aloe" means "bitter".

These plants have modest-sized tubular flowers, typically colored red, orange, white, or yellow. The flowers are situated on a peduncle of considerable length, arranged in a terminal multiflowered raceme. Under domestic conditions, it rarely blooms. Aloe lives in a flower pot for 5-20 years, for which it is also called the "century plant".

Virtually all cultivated species of aloe are suitable for indoor cultivation and can even be used to green children's rooms. It is frequently used as a "home doctor". The plant is very undemanding and problems associated with its care typically never arise. This plant can easily endure a lack of light, moisture, as well as warmth. Species that were previously grown extremely rarely now increasingly adorn winter gardens. The century plant will make an excellent addition when creating arrangements that include slow-growing plants.

Aloe vanbalenii is an evergreen succulent perennial plant forming striking stemless rosettes of long, deeply recurved, gracefully twisted and curling leaves. Bright green, bordered by reddish teeth, with copper-red edges in the shade, the fleshy leaves take on orange or deep red tones under hot sun. They emit a cinnamon or musky fragrance when bruised or damaged. In winter and early spring, slender conical yellow or orange-yellow tubular flowers appear on unbranched peduncles up to 90 cm (35 in) tall. They are attractive to nectar-seeking birds and insects. This colony-forming aloe is well-suited for sunny borders or decorative containers. It grows to 60-90 cm (24-35 in) in height and 90-120 cm (35-47 in) in width.

Seeds are pre-soaked for 4-6 hours (in water or fungicide solution), then sown into a moist substrate consisting of leaf soil and river sand layered over expanded clay pre-scalded with boiling water. A sowing substrate identical to that for adeniums can be used. The sowing is moistened with a spray bottle, placed in a propagator or covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in direct sun, at a temperature of 21-26 °C (70-79 °F). Sprouts require ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the sowings.

When propagating aloe from seeds, cultivar characteristics may segregate. Seeds usually germinate within 3-4 weeks to 2-3 months, depending on conditions. Pricking out is performed after the appearance of 2-3 true leaves. Young plants are gradually acclimated to lower humidity and brighter lighting.

An alternative method of germinating seeds in distilled water or a 10% solution of growth stimulants is possible. Seeds are placed in a small container of water, where they initially float but later sink. Germination occurs unevenly starting from 4 weeks, but may take several months. Water is changed every few days. Seeds are removed one by one as they germinate and placed into a substrate of equal parts sand and compost.

A critical aspect of this method is embedding the seed in the substrate with the root pointed strictly downward, which might otherwise push the seed outward instead of developing inward. Rising seeds are not pressed back in, but sprinkled with a teaspoon of soil from above. Over the course of 4 weeks, it is necessary to monitor each seed carefully and guide the sprouts to anchor the root.

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Aloe, like virtually all succulents, is undemanding in care. The century plant loves light very much, and therefore it is best placed on windowsills located in the southern part of the room. However, it can also be grown in shaded spots, but it should be noted that with a severe lack of light, the aloe leaves will stretch and turn pale. In summer, the plant can be moved outdoors, but rainwater must not be allowed to fall on it. A century plant kept outdoors for a long time has distinct advantages over one grown exclusively indoors: it develops stouter spines and a well-formed stem.

In summer, aloe needs fairly generous watering. In winter, on the other hand, it should be watered very rarely, using exclusively water at room temperature or slightly warmer. If watering is too meager, the leaves will become very thin and contain little juice. Because the roots of the century plant are very thick and fill the pot completely, during watering the water rushes into the drip tray almost without delay. For this reason, it makes sense to water the plant by pouring water into the tray rather than into the pot. Furthermore, the finest roots capable of absorbing moisture are located at the very bottom. To avoid rot on the roots, the remaining liquid must be emptied from the tray 30 minutes after watering. For aloe, air humidity does not matter. Occasionally, however, a warm shower is needed to clear dust from the leaves.

In summer, the century plant requires moderate air temperatures, and with the onset of winter it must be moved to a cooler room. The plant tolerates sharp temperature changes remarkably well. Most species are capable of enduring temperature drops down to 6 °C (43 °F). However, there are also species that require a temperature of at least 15 °C (59 °F).

You can make the soil mix yourself by combining leaf soil and sod soil with sand and humus in a 1:2:1:1 ratio. Also add charcoal and crushed brick. Peat should not be included in the composition. The soil should have a slightly acidic reaction. You can purchase a ready-made soil mix for cacti. Adding a little crushed brick and charcoal to it is recommended. While the plant is young, repotting is carried out every year. Mature aloe requires repotting much less frequently, performed once every 2 or 3 years. Deep flower pots are chosen, never forgetting good drainage.

Fertilization is carried out only once every 4 weeks and only during the spring-summer period. A mineral fertilizer for succulents and cacti is used for this (mixed into a very weak solution). Feeding must be stopped in mid-autumn and not resumed until spring.

Scale insects may target the plant. To get rid of them, wipe the leaves as often as possible with a cloth moistened in soapy water.