Aloe ortholopha - Dyke Aloe - 20 Seed Pack - Indigenous Succulent - Worldwide Shipping - NEW

Only a few aloes, most notably Aloe marlothii, bear horizontal flower branches with secund flowers (all oriented on one side of the raceme). This arrangement caters to sunbirds that perch on the inflorescence and sip nectar from the flowers arranged in close ranks like punch glasses at a wedding. In the process of imbibing, the bird's heads are dusted with pollen to carry to the next reception. Aloe ortholopha sometimes called Dyke aloe is rather like a stylized, minimalist version of Aloe marlothii with an inflorescence of one or a few racemes rather than the two dozen or more typical in Aloe marlothii. Its foliage is smooth and glaucous, without the surface prickles of Aloe marlothii, and arranged in modest-sized rosettes to 60cm or less. Aloes are very popular and some of the most rewarding plants to cultivate.

         
They make excellent accent plants owing to their often strange and inspiring architectures, as well as the bright flowers that offset the grey-green leaves. They are also very suitable as container plants and small aloes can be used very effectively as border plants at the edge of a bed. Although aloes are most often included in rockeries, their application in horticulture is not limited to this feature and they can be used in almost any setting and in conjunction with most common garden plants.

Aloes can tolerate long periods of drought, but it is not true that watering should be withheld to obtain optimal growth. Stressed plants are more susceptible to insects and pests. Plants flourish, flower better and are more resistant when given adequate water during the growing season. However, be very cautious not to over-water aloes because they may rot if they stay wet for too long. Adequate drainage is essential.