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The Coral Aloe is easy to cultivate under a wide variety of climatic conditions |
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Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.za
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 Coral Aloe, Blouaalwyn - Aloe striata
This is one of our most popular and showy aloes for the garden. It is widely distributed over the Eastern and Western Cape Province, where it grows in stony soils and on rocky hillsides; in arid areas near the coast and in the drier inland Karoo areas. This fantastic sculptural aloe has broad, silvery to blue-green leaves, with dark green stripes running down the length of the foliage. The leaf margins are spineless with attractive reddish edges. Tall, many-branched inflorescences of attractive coral-red flowers appear from winter to mid-spring and will last for up to three months. The flowers can reach 60cm to 1m tall.
| The plant grows almost always as a single, stemless rosette, usually
about 25cm tall and 45cm wide; but at maturity, and under optimal
growing conditions, it can spread 1m in diameter. Older specimens may
also develop a short trunk.
The coral aloe looks best if it is planted in groups of three or more in the garden and grows well in containers. As with most aloes; the plants provide valuable nectar for sunbirds during winter, when food is scarce.
Mostly a winter grower, the coral aloe is relatively easy to cultivate under a wide variety of climatic conditions. It is hardy to frost (-5°C), and needs cool winter temperatures to initiate flower development (about 5-10°C). In very cold regions, keep it on the dry side in winter. It is both drought and wind resistant. Plant it in full sun and in well-drained soil. Do not overwater, but for best results in the garden, water during prolonged dry spells. Mulch the roots in autumn with kraal manure or compost.
Propagation from fresh seed is extremely easy and the plants will germinate and grow quickly, reaching flowering size within a few years. Seed must be sown into very well-drained soil and covered lightly with fine river sand. The best soil germination temperature is 18°C.
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