€7,95

🌱 Morphology

It is one of the smallest dwarf Aloes: usually stemless and solitary, though occasionally forming 2–3 rosettes, rarely larger small groups. The very compact rosette reaches about 15–25 cm. Its 20–30 leaves are lanceolate, erect or slightly incurved, greyish-green to bluish-green, with a characteristic waxy layer. Both the upper and lower surfaces have small white spines on tuberculate bases, in addition to white teeth on the margins.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family

It is endemic to South Africa, distributed in semi-arid areas of the Little Karoo and the southeast of the Great Karoo, from Calitzdorp to near Grahamstown and north to Graaff-Reinet, Cradock and Middelburg. It grows very sparsely, never forming large populations, on rocky or sandy terrain, often partially protected by small shrubs. It belongs to the Asphodelaceae family. SANBI currently considers it to be of Least Concern (LC), although there is pressure from illegal collection, overgrazing and habitat degradation.

❄️ Temperature

USDA 9b–11b. It comes from a region where it can experience frosts, but its small root system and sensitivity to excess moisture make it advisable to be conservative in a pot. In Madrid, we recommend keeping it above 5 °C, being able to withstand temperatures close to -4 °C for short periods if it is completely dry and protected. Wet cold is much more dangerous than a brief drop in temperature in dry conditions.

☀️ Lighting

During growth, 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR. It needs a lot of light to keep the rosette compact and its characteristic greyish-blue coloration. In its habitat, it usually grows partially protected by shrubs, so in Madrid, morning sun or very intense light with protection from extreme afternoon sun in mid-summer is preferable, especially in a small pot.

💧 Growth cycle

Opportunistic, but adapted to a primarily summer rainfall regime. It is extraordinarily drought-resistant and can remain practically dormant for long periods; when it suffers water stress, the leaves acquire reddish or brownish tones and fold back. Water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry completely before the next watering. In summer, do not completely eliminate watering if the plant is active, but space it out a lot during heat waves.

🌸 Flowering

Here is its most spectacular feature. It produces one or two simple, very short and extraordinarily robust inflorescences, about 15–20 cm, crowned by a conical and dense cluster. The flowers are salmon pink, coral pink or orange-red, up to 5.5 cm, enormous in proportion to the size of the plant. The upper half of the flower curves upwards and allows the stamens and, especially, the style, which can reach 70–75 mm, to protrude, one of the longest styles known among South African Aloes. In South Africa, it flowers mainly in July–August; for Madrid, approximately January–February.

🌿 Nutrition

Fertilize during growth periods with Desert CHOICE® Aloes, Haworthia & Co., especially suitable for its calcium and potassium supply. In this species, it is advisable to avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, which can lead to excessively soft growth. Reduce or suspend fertilization during periods of strong thermal stress or inactivity.

This is an inimitable xerophytic cultivated in Madrid in a technological square pot and with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

📏 The sizes of our basic collection xerophytes are as follows:

S -> 9cm x 9cm

M-> 14cm x 14 cm

L->16cm x 16 cm

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The photo description specifies the size of the plant, but this may also vary slightly, because it is a living being! Each of Desert CITY's plants has unique characteristics.

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