Aloe aculeata

[Geoff]

Huntington Gardens in a bit too much shade

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private collection, southern California

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This is a distinctive, stemless, solitary South African species grown partly for its ornamental spiny foliage, partly because of its very colorful flowers and partly (for me at least) due to its far greater than average cold tolerance (down at least to 20F). It has unique spines with white bases, and is the best well to distinguish this aloe say from juvenile Aloe marlothiis or feroxes. The leaves are thick, heavy and fleshy and large plants are quite heavy to carry about (not to mention very sharp and uncomfortable). This is one of the few aloes never chewed on by my area rabbits, so can be grown in the open (rare for an aloe in my area). Leaf color varies depending upon conditions, but can go from green to brown or even a deep maroon, though light green and orangish are some of the most common colors. Flowers are not nearly as cold tolerant as the plants itself, but still far more cold tolerant than most aloe flowers, so even in Acton I get to see a flower with some color on it now and then. Not a good aloe for shady areas, and a bit prone to rot without full sun conditions.

[GreekDesert]

I cultivate these aloes also because they belong to the frost hardier aloes. They also tolerate dry periods very well.

[Geoff]

Color changes in leaves in hot, dry weather

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[Geoff]

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flower details in December, southern California

[Geoff]

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More shots of plants in flower

[Geoff]

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Some color variety of flowers

[GreekDesert]

mine are always stressed in summer because it rains not (in summer) there

[Geoff]

leaf detail on my own plant

[Geoff]

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more shots

[Geoff]

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Just to show its cold hardiness, this is my new Aloe aculeata growing and flowering to maturity here in Acton where temps have gotten down to 22F and been below 30F over a dozen times so far.

[Geoff]

exceptionally 'warty' plant

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[Geoff]

THis is is a colony of Aloe aculeatas (labeled as such for some time) that is one of the most spectacular group of flowering aloes I have seen in the Huntington… but these plants are not true species (flowers wrong and no thorns at all)… but 'mostly' Aloe aculeata… and partly something else (no idea what)… I think Huntington finally changed the sign to something like 'open hybrid' (a very common aloe designation in that garden, and probably correct as there are SO MANY aloes in bloom all at the same time, it is not surprisingly hybrids end up in the mix all the time). Still, nice garden aloe… would love to come across one sometime.

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[Geoff]

Recently the Huntington renamed this last colony of hybrids: Aloe Vulcan's Fire. Finally a 'real' name!

[Viegener]

Ah, that makes sense. Here's the ISI description: http://www.huntington.org/BotanicalDiv/ ... 11-21.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Geoff]

wow.... looks like they knew what this plant was (or renamed it) almost 6 years ago... yet didn't change the garden sign until this year.

[toditd]

Aloe aculeata - Boyce Thompson Arboretum - 2018-09-02

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[Jkwinston]

Here is a video which I filmed at the San Diego Zoo. Jkw

[youtube]mqYmJlzhwXA [/youtube]

[raimeiken]

IMG_2106.jpg

Is this out in full sun exposure?

[mickthecactus]

Nice video Winston. Thanks!

[Jkwinston]

Nice video Winston. Thanks!

Glad you liked it. To me, it was very exciting to be in that part of California with these Aloes growing around you. That is why I made the video. That is also why I travel to these parts where you can find lots of succulents growing quite naturally in the ground. Jkw

[aldannyoe]

Here is a video which I filmed at the San Diego Zoo. Jkw

[youtube]mqYmJlzhwXA [/youtube]

Looks to be Marlothii or hybrid of that with aculeata

[RCDS66]

Mine is still a small plant and I have given it a location with good drainage that gets afternoon sun for 3-4 hours. I wonder how will it perform during monsoon in Islamabad when the area gets average 628 mm (24.7 inches) of rain in July and Aug. Experts, any advise please.

[mcvansoest]

It should be fine in good drainage.

Mine grows on the north side of my patio right below the run off from the roof so gets plenty of water when it rains.