Aloe gariepensis dabnoris

Aloe gariepensis dabnoris:
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Aloe gariepensis dabnoris was what they were calling this at Rancho Soledad.  I called it interesting enough to buy and bring home.  It is from an extremely arid area in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.  It wants absolutely zero summer water.  I have a spot for it on a slope where several California native plants have died for want of water, so that may be be dry enough.  It's fairly cold hardy, to at least 23F.  These were all somewhat spotted due to what the nursery man said too much moisture.  My particular pick was the least spotted of the bunch. 

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When I brought it home, both dogs immediately fixated on the plant and spent several minutes sniffing every part of it.  I had to finally drag them away from it.  This makes me suspect that the moisture these aloes were receiving was not irrigation water.  A dog's nose knows.  Oh dear! 

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The flower is tall (1 m), slender and unbranched, starting orange and opening to yellow.  Mine is not open yet.  I'll have to update this post with another picture when it does bloom. When stressed either by drought or frost, this Aloe is said to redden up nicely.  That would be nice. 

My neighbor got this Aloe, A. capitata, maybe?  I forgot the name, nonetheless I'm hoping for a pup--ain't the flowers nifty and the foliage glorious?

Nifty, gorgeous, and flanked on either side by Aloe 'Cynthia Gitty': 

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Aloe capitata, (maybe):
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In other Aloe news, my $1.62 'Silver Ridge' hybrid showed signs of Aloe Gall mite, so I bagged it up, sealed the bag, and put it in the trash.  For $1.62, it wasn't worth potentially infecting the rest of the collection to try to save it.  The nurseryman at RS said a 10% spray solution of chlorine bleach in water, conscientiously applied, is the least toxic yet effective control for gall mite.  And, like spider mites, Aloe Gall mites abhor moisture.   Maybe whatever was peeing on the A. gariepensis at RS was doing them a favor... ;^)

Update 11/29/11 A. gariepensis dabnoris is blooming again.   I just spotted a new spike this week...

Comments

  1. i just love your blog and have learned so much for my own garden... that is, if ever have time to dig in the dirt. now i really want some more aloes!

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  2. Someone once told me about a plant in the succulent family that could exist on one rainfall a year. Now that is drought-tolerant. Keep us posted on how this one does!

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  3. Charlotte and Chris, thank you!

    Chris, Aloes are wonderful--very easy care, and the hummingbirds they attract are a bonus.

    Susan I will update on this one. Hopefully I can give it a place that will enable it to thrive (and get rid of those black spots).

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