Aloe jucunda | Miniature Aloe
€10,00
🌱 Morphology
It is a dwarf, almost stemless Aloe, whose individual rosettes barely reach 8–10 cm in diameter, although it produces abundant offsets and eventually forms large clumps. The leaves are triangular, fleshy, spreading or recurved, very glossy dark green, often with coppery tones under intense light. They feature numerous white or pale green spots and small lines, and margins provided with rigid, triangular teeth.
🌍 Distribution, Habitat, and Family
It is a very localized endemic of northern Somalia, known from the Gaan Libah area in the Golis mountain range, approximately between 1,100 and 1,700 m altitude. It grows in dry and windy places, among scrub and on rocky terrain, and has been especially described as associated with dry forest areas on limestone. It belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. Its natural area is extremely reduced, and the species is categorized as Critically Endangered (CR).
❄️ Temperature
USDA 10a–11b. This is a warm-climate Aloe and should not be considered frost-hardy. For pot cultivation, we recommend keeping it above 5 °C. It can withstand temperatures close to 0 °C for short periods if kept completely dry and protected, but it should not be regularly exposed to cold and wet conditions.
☀️ Lighting
During growth, 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR. It needs plenty of light to keep the rosettes compact and achieve the attractive coppery tones of the leaves. It tolerates direct sun, but in Madrid, it should be progressively acclimated and protected from the most extreme afternoon sun in summer, especially in small pots.
💧 Growth Cycle
Opportunistic, with slowdown during periods of intense heat and drought. I would not consider it correct to classify it as a strict summer dormancy species: in cultivation, it is known for its relatively continuous growth and its abundant flowering when conditions are favorable.
Water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry completely before the next watering. In winter, if temperatures are low, space out waterings considerably.
🌸 Flowering
For such a small plant, it produces a surprisingly large, simple, and slender inflorescence, up to about 35 cm, with a raceme of hanging pink to coral pink flowers. As an indicative reference for Madrid, November–January would be an equivalent time to its natural spring flowering, although this should not be considered rigid.
🌿 Nutrition
Fertilize during growth periods with Desert CHOICE® Aloes, Haworthia & Co., especially suitable for its calcium and potassium content. Reduce or suspend fertilization during cold periods or significant slowdowns.
This is an inimitable xerophytic cultivated in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
📏 The size of our basic collection xerophytes are as follows:
S -> 9cm x 9cm
* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The photo description specifies the plant's measurements, but this may also vary slightly, because it is a living being! Each Desert CITY plant has unique characteristics.
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