Description
Aloe polyphylla. (Aloaceae) Spiral Aloe (e) Spiraalaalwyn (a). Lekhala kharatsa (seSotho). The spiral aloe is a rare and beautiful aloe from the high Maluti Mountains of Lesotho. The leaves are arranged in a perfect spiral. The spiral is formed by five ranks of leaves which contain between 15 and 30 leaves each. The plants are stemless and usually not multiple although they grow in dense groups. It flowers in mid summer. 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: Semongkong Lesotho. Date of harvest : March 2015.
