Growing Aloes
Aloes are easy going succulent plants that need very little maintenance. Aloes can be grown for the low maintanance water-saving garden; for the medicinal gel; as container outside or indoor plants or for a hobby. When growing your aloes it is good to know what the aloe habitat of that aloe species is and try to imitate that as much as possible. On the other hand, most aloes for sale are hybrids and even if they were a species, it is seldom possible to get the right identification. There are a few rules that can be followed for any aloe. Aloe hybrids are much easier than aloe species in that the hybrid has a wider choice of growing conditions inherited from at least two different aloes species. In the wild aloe habitat most species occur on slopes or ridges. Follow this pattern by giving aloe plants plenty large and small stones around the roots for drainage. Good drainage is essential; as is humus and old manure. In the wild, leaves and dry grass get blown amongst the rocks and stones. Add some Dolomite gravel it will not harm the plants as it dissolves slowly so that it gives a good calcium/magnesium balance which is appreciated by most, and essential to some aloes. If dolomite is not available, sprinkle roughly one half teaspoon Epsom salts and a full teaspoon lime around the plants at monthly intervals for 3-4 months in the rainy season. (more…)