Woot! Aloe!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Thats gorgeous!! I can't wait to see your bloom. These remind me a lot of Red hot pokers, Kniphofia foliosa, I saw in Ethiopia,
and also this species of aloe (2nd photo) that I haven't ID'd yet. Found it growing wild in Hawaii.
All in the Asphodelaceae family.
Supposed to have coloured nectar, I think you should check it out for us

thanks Tin - apparently this species can have yellow or orange blooms - don't know what mine will have ? I'm just gonna expect yellow as the few I have seen blooming in my area have had yellow lol - maybe that's more common -
The mother plant this pup came from - I got as a gift for my mom gotta be around 20 years ago - just something had picked up at the drug store

hmm ... well I can try to see if it has colored nectar Will wait for blooms and then maybe have a go

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by johnblagg

aloes are so cool and humming birds love them


I wish they would grow here But nope

awww ... yeah they look like the hummingbirds would like them - so I guess "my" hummers will be happy. Grow them in pots John - they can come inside when it's too cold out
Mine are all potted

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Izzie

Wow! Now that you've posted the pics- I've seen those EVERYWHERE in CO. They're absolutely massive. I thought they were a different species than the little one in my window- which has pale spots.

hehe - yeah - I began to take note of blooming aloes in my area - usually in ground plants - once I realized they do actually bloom

[Hedge]

Don't forget to tell us what colour the nectar is? I wonder if all succulents have this tendency - my Epiphyllum has reddish pink nectar which drips onto the floor! I collect it on a saucer, it's yummy!!

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Hedge

Don't forget to tell us what colour the nectar is? I wonder if all succulents have this tendency - my Epiphyllum has reddish pink nectar which drips onto the floor! I collect it on a saucer, it's yummy!!

hehe I'll try
ooo that's interesting - I got some epiphyllum cuttings last summer, something to look forward to hopefully

[Swamper]

Hmmm I love my aloe for so many uses. I even eat it. Yes it tastes bad at first LOL.Sometimes I add it to a shake.
I was wondering why they won't grow in NC but will grow in CO?
And finally are there any updates on your nectar color?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Swamper

Hmmm I love my aloe for so many uses. I even eat it. Yes it tastes bad at first LOL.Sometimes I add it to a shake.
I was wondering why they won't grow in NC but will grow in CO?
And finally are there any updates on your nectar color?

LOL - I forgot to check the nectar color! It actually only recently began to open blooms - blooms are yellow. Will check on the nectar color
Maybe it's not dry enough in NC for aloe? idk - Seems the only way to thoroughly kill an aloe is too much water. Tho I suppose they should grow in pots just fine if they can be kept out of the rain if that's the case ... unless it's the humidity the object to ? good question lol
Ok - will be checking for nectar color today

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by Swamper

Hmmm I love my aloe for so many uses. I even eat it. Yes it tastes bad at first LOL.Sometimes I add it to a shake.
I was wondering why they won't grow in NC but will grow in CO?
And finally are there any updates on your nectar color?

Its a good you asked, now we get to see what colour it is.

I doubt humidity is an issue since this species seems to grow wild in Hawaii, land of perpetual humidity.
Then again, it rains often in Hawaii too. Well I saw them in Hawaii growing in very sunny spots. But I would not call them dry spots.

[WhiteRabbit]

ok - so here are pix from today

hmm ... so how do I check the nectar color??? lol

I tried checking - the only fluid I got was clear ? slightly sticky, no apparent sweet taste to me, so I'm not sure ...

[Tindomul]

You will have to wait till they open up, then put in something thin to dip into the bottom of the inside of the flower. Maybe an eyedropper or something. Suck out the nectar.