Aloe wickensiiPole - Evans
Wickens ' Aloe
Family : AsphodelaceaeSubfamily : AsphodeloideaeGenus : Aloe
A plant in bloom. In cultivation, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Photo by Ben Botha. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
The specific name " wickensii(pronounced wik - EN - see - centre ) honour John Edward Wickens ( 1867 - 1949 ) , a British horticulturist and plant collector , who , withUys de Villiers Pienaar(1930- ) , witness this species 25 miles ( 40 klick ) south of Pietersburg in 1914 .
Aloe wickensiiis native toSouth Africa . It usually grows on easy side in bush country in the Limpopo province .
Aloe wickensiiis a beautiful succulent that forms a dense , solitaryrosette of distinctly incurved , paleglaucousgreen leaves with small , deltoid , deep brown to black dentition along the margin . Therosetteis usually stemless or has a very short stem and can reach a diam of up to 4.3 human foot ( 1.3 m ) . The leaves are fishgig - mold with a categoric upper surface and a convex lower surface , measure up to 32 inches ( 80 cm ) farsighted and 4.8 inches ( 12 cm ) wide .
Racemes. In cultivation, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Photo by Ben Botha. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
The blossom come out in former wintertime in thickly flowered , distinctively bicoloredracemesininflorescencesthat usually have 3 to 4 branch from about the midriff . The anthesis can acquire up to 5 feet ( 1.5 cm ) grandiloquent . The flowers are cylindric and can achieve 1.4 inches ( 3.5 cm ) long . The conelike racemes have dark reddish buds that open to undimmed chrome - yellow flowers . They can measure up to 8 inches ( 20 cm ) long . The fruits areoblongcapsules with dark brown cum . They can grow up to 1 column inch ( 2.5 cm ) long and 0.5 inches ( 1.2 centimeter ) in diam .
Aloe wickensiiis often listed as a bicolored form ofAloe cryptopoda . It can be confused withAloe lutescens , which has bicolored flowers but aclump - forming habit .
Light : When growingA. wickensiiindoors , place the plant near a windowpane that experience plenteousness of smart collateral lighter . Rotate the locoweed once or twice a workweek so that all side of the plant receive adequate lighting . Outdoors provide light-headed shade , especially during the hottest portion of the day .
A juvenile specimen. In cultivation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo by Noelene Tomlinson. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Soil : PlantA. wickensiiin a well - drained soil mix articulate for succulents ormake your own . Drainage is essential because too much moisture around roots can get root guff .
Temperature : This succulent grows at its best at temperature between 50 and 85 ° F ( 10 and 30 ° degree centigrade ) . When temperatures drop below 50 ° F ( 10 ° blow ) , it is sentence to bring your plant back at bottom . A. wickensiican withstand temperature as low as 25 ° F ( -3.9 ° C).USDA Plant Hardiness Zones9b to 11b , 25 to 50 ° degree Fahrenheit ( -3.9 to 10 ° C ) .
Watering : This succulent does necessitate regular watering but is very tolerant of drouth condition for scant menstruum . Water profoundly , but only when the soil is teetotal . Cut back onwateringduring the wintertime months . Do not let water stand in the russet scab .
A raceme. In habitat, Greater Tubatse, Limpopo, South Africa. Photo byRob Ferber. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Fertilizing : A. wickensiigenerally does not expect fertilizer but may gain from the surplus nutrients . Feedwith a fertilizer for succulents in give and summer only , fall out the recording label directions .
Repotting : This plant is not particularly tight - growing and will rarely require repotting . To prevent it from becoming rootbound , repot it in the give in a container a few inches larger in diam every few year .
generation : SinceA. wickensiihas a solitary growth wont , it can be propagate only from seeds . For full results , sow seeds during the warm months .
Learn more atHow to farm and like for Aloe .
A. aculeatais not listed as toxic for the great unwashed and favorite .
fall into place on a photo to see a big version .
Did you find this helpful ? apportion it with other succulent fan !
