Growing Aloes From Seed

Back in 2014, this was a seed.  It is growing in mostly shade with some irrigation, so it's fairly green. 

Growing Aloes from seed.  I tried for the first time back in 2014, using seed from Aloe capitata pods.  Planting a few dozen seeds produced a few dozen seedlings and from those seedlings eventually six plants prevailed,  two of which I gave away.  I never watered the seedlings enough, apparently, because they grew very slowly.  Three of the four plants are still only about 6" wide;  the first photo of this post shows the largest plant which is about 16" wide.  One thing you learn growing anything from seed is that seedlings can vary more than cutting-grown plants.  

The original Aloe capitata has been in decline since 2014.  It has not bloomed since 2016.  It looks stressed.  Drought, probably, or  root competition from the 'Blue Glow' Agave or the Mangave next to it.  I've been giving the Aloe extra water almost every day and it is somewhat greener. 

 Three of the seedlings looks very much like their parent.  The largest looks a little different.  

I used open-pollinated seeds, which means they may be hybrids.  When (if) they ever bloom,  the flower will give an indication of whether or not they are pure capitata, or a hybrid.  

  As I remember, in 2014 I used the Aloe capitata seeds because they happen to have bloomed when no other Aloes in the garden were in flower.  That is no guarantee of purity, though, because there are lots of Aloes in the neighborhood.  Also, some plants are self-sterile while others are not.  I have no knowledge as to Aloe capitata is self-sterile or self-fertile.

This capitata seedling gets more sun and has pinkish highlights.   

 Same conditions for this one:

 Much hotter and drier conditions for the last one. 

 Some recent internet browsing revealed Aloe capitata is native to some high (52"!) rainfall areas.  Since doing that browsing I've been watering the seedlings much more, and they have responded by looking healthier.  

I am trying some seeds again this year,  this time seeds of Aloe pseudorubroviolacea and Aloe striata var karasbergensis.   
Aloe pseudorubroviolacea seed pods.  Note that they are starting to split open, indicating that the seeds are ripe.  

 For germinating them,  a plastic tub that originally contained salad greens.  The growing medium is about 2" of a sterile pumice/sand/peat mix, moistened but not soaked.  The tub has a lid that holds in moisture, so it doesn't need to be overly wet.  

I pressed the seeds into the growing medium so they would have good contact, and covered them very thinly with more potting mix.  Placement in bright indirect light--direct sun would cook them in a sealed plastic tub.  
Aloe seeds:

 July has been hot, with daytime temperatures in the mid 80sF/~28C and overnight lows around 70F/21C.  The first tiny plants appeared eight days after sowing.  

The next challenge will be to grow them large enough to be able to survive in the garden. A protected location with only very early morning sun until Autumn 2019 is the plan.