ALOE MARLOTHII

ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS

This succulent is also known as "Mountain Aloe" or "Aloe Marloth" endemic to southern Africa, being among the tallest succulent plants, they can reach 8 meters in height in their natural habitat, from normal usually reaches 4 meters.

This species has a rosette shape where the leaves are fleshy in the shape of a lance, having sharp teeth on their edges that serve both to protect the plant and to collect water. The surface of the plant also consists of brown thorns.

Its inflorescence arrives in warm seasons (summer) in the form of a raceme giving tubular flowers found in the upper part of the inflorescence, these flowers are yellow. In addition, the properties of Aloe are recognized worldwide, and this in particular is a very moisturizing species, similar to the properties of Aloe Vera.

DECORATION OF ... EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR?

This plant is one of the essential products in any home, not only because it is very decorative, but it can also be used to heal burns, ulcers and even wounds.

It is a species that we can plant both in our garden, alone or in groups, as well as on our terraces or balconies. All you need is to be in a sunny area and planted in a well-drained pot.

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 0ºC.

- 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.