Aloe striata (Aloe striata) 6 seeds

Aloe striata - Aloe striata - 6 seeds

Aloes are drought-tolerant to succulent thick-leaved plants with fleshy leaves, often with variously spiny-toothed edges. The leaves of some species contain secretory cells producing juice. They form a basal rosette of leaves, which can be on a stem in older plants.

Like most species, it originates from South Africa. The plant has wide light green leaves with dark stripes. It is thornless. It grows to a height of approximately 25 cm, width 45 cm. It blooms with attractive coral-red inflorescence. It is among the most popular and most rewarding container-grown aloes.

How to Grow Aloe

• It requires light, well-draining soil and plenty of light. Low temperatures and too much water are harmful to it. Aloe thrives best on a windowsill or other well-lit location. The ideal temperature for growing is around 25°C. In winter, keep it in a cooler place (temperature 15 - 18°C). It tolerates dry air. You must repot the plant every two to three years.

• Sow seeds in a substrate composed of 50:50 peat and sand. Gently press the seeds onto the surface of the seed tray. Water from below. Maintain a constant temperature of 21°C. Sowing is done in spring.

• It requires well-draining, gravelly substrate that should dry out well. Usually a soil mixture is used consisting of compost, leaf soil and sand in a ratio of 1:1:1.

• It is advisable to fertilize the plants once every 14 days with special mineral fertilizers, preferably phosphorus-based ones.

• It does not suffer from diseases and pests. However, especially in winter months, if the substrate is not well dried out, root rot and death of the entire plant may occur. Water moderately, minimally in winter months.

Photo sources:
By Raffi Kojian - http://www.gardenology.org, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9705840
By Frank Vincentz - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3227436
By Stickpen - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7182163