Description
Aloe pluridens (Aloaceae). French Aloe(e), Fransaalwyn(a) It is an attractive plant which bears gracefully recurved leaves in large spiraled rosettes. It may be either single-stemmed or branched and occasionally bears numerous small plantlets on the otherwise smooth stems. This is a tall aloe, occasionally reaching up to 5-6m high. The leaves are bright green to yellowish-green and may be up to 70cm in length. The leaf margin is armed with firm white teeth. The leaf sap is clear with a strong, rhubarb-like smell. Inflorescence are branched and have up to 4 racemes protruding above the leaves. The flowers are usually orange or pinkish-red, but a yellow form is also known. Up to three inflorescence may be borne from each rosette. It flowers from May to July. Sowing: Seeds germinate very well but may damp off if over watered. Use a mixture of river sand, compost and soil to sow seeds in. Sprinkle the seeds evenly on the surface and cover with a layer of small pebbles. The pebbles help the seedlings to stay upright and prevent damping off. Keep seed tray in a dry warm corner and do not allow to dry out. Transplant the seedlings after one year. Locality : Patensie. Harvest : October 2023
