Aloe, Cape
Aloe ferox
(Bitteraalwyn, Kaapse aalwyn) --Afrikaans
(Umhlaba) --Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho
Family: Liliaceae
Succulent perennial. Native to East and South Africa. Growing
Aloe from seed was, without question, my most significant new germinating
experience from the spring of 1999. Seed sown in the greenhouse on
April 30th was transformed into succulent miniature Aloes, first observed
on May 14th poking their red-green points through the moist potting soil.
I was ecstatic. Within another month they were transplanted into
sandy soil in pots in the shadehouse, and had set their second little leaf.
Cape Aloes provide two medicines: The dried, bitter exudate from
the leaf is commonly known as the drug “aloes.” A little goes a long
way in treatment of constipation, as paristalsis and absorbtion of
water into the GI is remarkably stimulated. This
is not to be used during pregnancy. And, from the mucilagenous
juice of the leaf comes the glycoprotein-rich “aloe gel.” Although
this finds its way into many commercial preparations, there is no better
way to use it than directly from the plant. The leaves may be split
and laid upon sunburn or minor burns and wounds, or the mucilage may be
squozen from the leaf and freely used. It has a cooling and healing
influence. Also, this mucilage makes a very credible hair jel, which comes
in a compostable package. I always bring a few leaves or small plants
with me on my travels, to keep my hair down. Cultivation:
Use a mixture of sand and potting soil for the starting mix. Sow
seed in spring or summer, barely under soil surface. Keep partially
shaded and moist until germination. In frost-free areas, may be grown
outdoors in the rock garden. In cold areas, grow in a pot containing
layers of sand and potting soil. Keep in a sunny window. The
indoor plant will grow only as large as the pot allows. Water sparingly.
Flowers bright orange-red. In its native habitat, it flowers from
6 to 16 feet tall.
Return
to Herb Seed Index