ALOE DICHOTOMA

ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS

Aloe Dichotoma, also known as Aloindedron Dichotomum, is an endemic species to South Africa and Namibia. It is a perennial plant belonging to the Asphodelaceae family.

This tree, commonly known as the Quiver tree, can reach up to 9 meters in height over the years, as it is a slow-growing plant. Its crown is highly branched, its crown formed by a circular arrangement of leaves, also known as a rosette, where all the leaves are at the same height. The leaves, being a succulent, are fleshy and bluish-green in color.

Flowering occurs in cold seasons, more specifically in winter giving tubular yellow flowers from the inflorescence that is born in the shape of a spike.

DECORATION OF ... EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR?

We can incorporate it in both environments, it withstands full sun well so it is perfect for hot areas since it does not require much maintenance, if we prefer to have it indoors we will only have to make sure that the pot is adequate and that it drains the water correctly and place it in a sunny area, although it is also very resistant to cold. Above all it is used for landscape decoration.

CARE FOR CACTUS AND SUCCULENTS

They are showy plants, very pretty and that practically do not need much maintenance.

- They prefer places with direct light or that have good lighting, preferably next to a window, on a balcony, a terrace or in your Garden.

- They can withstand low temperatures, around 5ºC.

- It is essential that they have good drainage, both in the soil and in a pot.

- The ideal substrate for cacti has to be combined with sand and gravel, so that they have good drainage, humidity and excess water are not good.

- Irrigation does not have to be excessive. From spring to autumn, which would be its growth period, water every 15 days, abundant watering and wait until the soil is very dry again. In winter do not water or give one watering per month.

- Fertilizer. During the growing season (spring - autumn) you can fertilize them with worm humus. Eggshells are a good homemade fertilizer, they contain (Calcium, Iron, Potassium, magnesium and Phosphorus) these nutrients are very important and favor their growth, you must crush and mix them with the substrate, administer them a couple of times a year.

- Treatment against fungi due to excess humidity, disinfect the area with a copper-based fungicide.

- If you want to transplant them from the pot or the ground, the best time would be from spring.

And don't forget that to work with cacti you have to wear good gloves.