Aloe BARBERAE

Aloe BARBERAE - Barber's aloe, Tree aloe, Aloidendron barberae, Aloidendron.

Aloe is a genus of very popular succulent plants belonging to the Asphodelaceae family. This genus numbers approximately 400 species and includes a large number of plants that possess fleshy and very succulent leaves with fairly soft spines arranged on them. There are shrubby, tree-like, and 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 moderately sized tubular flowers, colored, as a rule, in red, orange, white, or yellow. The flowers are located on a peduncle of considerable length, in a terminal multi-flowered raceme. Under domestic conditions, it practically does not flower. Aloe lives in a flowerpot for 5-20 years, for which it is also called the "century plant".

Absolutely all cultivated species of aloe are suitable for indoor cultivation, and they can even be used to green children's rooms. It is often used as a "home doctor". The plant is very unpretentious and, as a rule, there are never any problems associated with caring for it. This plant is well able to withstand a lack of light, moisture, as well as heat. Those species that used to be grown extremely rarely are now increasingly adorning winter gardens. The century plant will be an excellent addition when creating arrangements that include slow-growing plants.

Barber's aloe is a heavily branched small to medium-sized tree with a massive trunk and a tall rounded crown that can be of various shapes and sizes. In its natural environment, it can reach a height of 18-20 m (59-66 ft) and is the largest African aloe. The plant was first collected and submitted for classification by collector Mary Elizabeth Barber.

The trunk is solitary, erect, 0.9-3 m (3-10 ft) in diameter, dichotomously branching. The bark of the trunk is grayish-brown, rough to the touch. The branches are long, cone-shaped, bare, resembling arms, with rosettes of long and narrow leaves at the apices. Each rosette contains about 20 leaves 60-90 cm (24-35 in) long and 7-9 cm (2.8-3.5 in) wide. The leaves are deeply channeled, curved, dark green, and the surface of the leaf blade is without spines. The leaf margins are decorated with a whitish line and small, firm teeth with brown tips. The teeth reach 2-3 mm (0.08-0.12 in) in length and are spaced 10-25 mm (0.4-1.0 in) apart.

The peduncle is erect, simple or branching, 40-60 cm (16-24 in) long. The inflorescence is a dense raceme of cylindrical shape, slightly pointed, 20-30 cm (8-12 in) long and 8-10 cm (3.1-4 in) in diameter. Bracts are linear-pointed, 10 mm (0.4 in) long and 1 mm (0.04 in) wide. Pedicels are up to 10 mm (0.4 in) long. The flowers are 33-37 mm (1.3-1.5 in) long, tubular, pink to orange, with green tips and a rounded base. Perianth segments are free for 28-32 mm (1.1-1.3 in) of their length. Stamens protrude from the corolla by 15 mm (0.6 in). In its natural habitat, Barber's aloe flowers in June and July and is pollinated by sunbirds. In cultivation, it blooms in winter.

The fruit is a dry capsule that ripens in late spring and releases seeds that are dispersed by the wind.

Seeds are pre-soaked for 4-6 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or fungicide, then sown in a moist substrate consisting of leaf mold and river sand poured over expanded clay pre-scalded with boiling water. A sowing substrate similar to that used for desert roses can be used. The sowing is moistened from a spray bottle, placed in a mini-greenhouse or covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in the sun, at a temperature of 21-26 °C (70-79 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the sowings.

During seed propagation of aloe, varietal traits may segregate. Seeds usually germinate from 3-4 weeks to 2-3 months, depending on conditions. Pricking out is carried out after the appearance of 2-3 true leaves. Young plants are gradually acclimated to lower humidity and brighter lighting.

An alternative method of seed germination in distilled water or a 10% solution of growth stimulants is possible. Seeds are placed in a small container of water, where they float at first, but then sink. Germination occurs unevenly starting from 4 weeks, but may take several months. The 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.

The critical moment of this method is embedding the seed into the substrate with the root directed precisely downward, which may push the seed outward instead of developing inward. Rising seeds are not pressed back in, but are sprinkled with a teaspoon of soil from above. Over the course of 4 weeks, it is necessary to closely monitor each seed and guide the sprouts to anchor the root.

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Aloe, like practically all succulents, is undemanding in care. The century plant loves light very much, and therefore it is best to place it on the windowsills of windows located in the southern part of the room. However, it can also be grown in shaded places, but it should be noted that with a severe lack of light, aloe leaves will stretch and turn pale. In summer, the plant can be moved to fresh air, but rainwater must not be allowed to fall on it. A century plant that has spent a long time in fresh air has distinct advantages over one grown exclusively indoors. For example, it develops more robust spines, as well as a well-formed stem.

In the summer, aloe needs fairly abundant watering. In winter, on the other hand, it should be watered very rarely, using exclusively room-temperature water, 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 occupy the pot completely, during watering the water rushes into the tray almost without delay. That is why it makes sense to water the plant by pouring water not into the pot, but into the tray. In addition, the finest roots capable of absorbing moisture are located at the very bottom. In order to avoid root rot, the remaining liquid should be poured out of the tray 30 minutes after watering. For aloe, air humidity does not matter. But sometimes it needs a warm shower to clean dust from the leaves.

In the summer, the century plant needs a moderate air temperature, and with the onset of winter it should be moved to a cooler room. The plant tolerates abrupt temperature changes remarkably well. Thus, most species are able to withstand a drop in temperature down to 6 °C (43 °F). But there are also species that require a temperature of at least 15 °C (59 °F).

You can prepare a soil mixture yourself; for this, mix leaf mold 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. It is recommended to add a little crushed brick and charcoal to it. While the plant is young, its repotting is carried out every year. Adult aloe needs repotting much less frequently, and it is carried out once every 2 or 3 years. Deep flower pots are chosen for this, without forgetting good drainage.

Fertilization is carried out only once every 4 weeks and only in the spring-summer period. For this, mineral fertilizer for succulents and cacti is used (making a very weak solution). Feeding should be stopped in mid-autumn and not carried out until spring.

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