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Aloe Flower Report, Early March 2016
'Fire Ranch' has a flower stem. It doesn't bloom every year, possibly because it gets no irrigation beyond rain. Since we've had minimal rain the past several years, it has skipped blooming several times. Flowers this year, though.
Aloe marlothii is behind and to the left of 'Fire Ranch', yellow-flowered Aloe megalacantha visible to the right.
'Fire Ranch' is a cross of two Madagascar species, Aloe vaotsanda and divariacata. I have two plants; one is tree-like and so far, solitary, one is a suckering shrub. What's with that? Not really a standout Aloe, but not bad.
Flowers are opening on many Aloe greatheadii rosettes. Our rain total has been disappointing this winter, but apparently the Aloes found it satisfactory.
Short plant, tall flower:
We did get rain last night and this morning, about .3" (7 mm), and about the same amount is predicted for tomorrow morning. It's something.
Aloe megalacantha is having a good winter.
Mega la yellow!
In bright sun the flowers are quite yellow. In late afternoon, the flowers take on a golden glow.
A deep orange 'Cynthia Gitty' raceme mixed in there. That's new.
Aloe 'California' (or is it 'Blue Elf') is common and reliable. It looks bad in summer (another plant on the slope that goes without irrigation most of the year) but blues up and blooms in late winter.
Kumara plicatilis racemes suddenly appeared this past week. Just a few.
One stem on the clump of 'Always Red' I got recently from a generous neighbor. Why do they call it 'Always Red'? The flower is orange.
In non-Aloe flower news, the first flowers of Leucospermum 'Yellow Bird' are just beginning to open. This plant is going to put on a show this year. Stay tuned.
Always so interesting reading about your various Aloes and the wonderful pictures. It´s a beautiful different world.
ReplyDeleteYour climate is exotic to me, too! :)
DeleteGorgeous Aloes dear Hoover, you garden is a picture! I especially love the yellow through to orange flowers, your Leucospermum looks beautiful too.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo ♡
Thank you! Happy you enjoyed the photos.
DeleteThat yellow aloe is magnificent. I remain terribly envious of the Leucospermum...
ReplyDeleteThe Leucospermum is amazing. I have no idea what I did right.
DeleteThe aloes are beautiful, but Leucospermum wins the prize.
ReplyDeleteI think you are correct.
DeleteIf that's "always red" then I sm "always thin".
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha ha ha! Good one! Me, too!
DeleteI've had an Aloe 'Fire Ranch' for close to 7 years now. I bought it at the Smith & Hawken going-out-of-business sale. It's taken it's sweet time growing but is finally 2 ft. tall. I hasn't bloomed yet. But big was yours when it first bloomed?
ReplyDeleteI just checked my Kumara plicatilis and I found one flower spike emerging from the leaves. Hopefully there'll be more! This would only be the 2nd time it's bloomed for me.
One of the 'Fire Ranch' bloomed when it was quite small, maybe 18" wide and tall. That was a year we got quite a lot of rain. The one in the photo I think this is only the 2nd time it has bloomed. It is in an extremely dry spot and of course we have had a bad drought for years.
DeleteThe Kumara is a shy bloomer for me. It doesn't bloom every year. I think again due to drought! I still need to go grab a megalacantha for you, haven't forgotten!