Monday 1 September 2014

This aloe grows like a weed.

It seems to be an unspoken rule that plants you want to branch or offset don't, while those that you are less interested in spread quickly.  Aloes seem no different, and a. spinosissima variegata is definitely in the weed category.


This was it when purchased a couple of years ago, interesting but doesn't really stand out.  I hoped the variegation would get stronger in time, instead the plant offset.


And offset.


By now it was such a mess, even if any of the plants did have good variegation you couldn't tell.  So time to cut it up.


I couldn't decide how many to leave, in the end I went for the two largest plants and we'll see what happens.  Looking at it now, it probably would have been better as a single plant.

Cutting it up also provided a few spares.


The best variegated plant was pulled out as well, hopefully this one will continue to develop variegation where the others have failed.


If you need more proof of its weed-like status looking at the large plants today:


They could be roots, but looking closely the largest are already facing up and split to show what I think are the first leaves.

Now if only I could get my aloe purple flush to offset like this.

3 comments:

  1. I thought it was just me who had that happen (the unspoken rule). Hope the variegation gets more pronounced on the one plant.

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    Replies
    1. It is annoying isn't it. There must be a plant that we really lust after and grows like a weed, but I can't think of it right now.

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  2. Your specimen is very nice, for good reasons. It is housed in a perfect environment, so she is fecund.
    I will take any of your spares any time shipping prepaid. I am looking for this specific cultivar.

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