Care Diary: Aloe suprafoliata, or the Book Aloe

The Book Aloe is an uncommon species that is extremely striking as a juvenile, but seldom recognized in its adult form. I discovered the species during the COVID lockdowns in 2020, and picked up a handful to grow up and eventually use as landscape aloes (and also to...
Care Diary: Aloe erinacea

Care Diary: Aloe erinacea

This aloe is a show stopper in nearly every collection, particularly as they gain some size. They are slow growing, which contributes to some of what makes them so coveted: a large specimen is often 30+ years old, usually older.  I picked mine up in 2019, and they...
Care Diary: Aloe aculeata

Care Diary: Aloe aculeata

I admittedly have an obsession with the aloes I’ve seen at the Safari Park that look like, as my brain likes to call them, “Dinosaur Skin”. The ones at the Safari Park are huge, but the texture seems to occur in a handful of species. I’ll be...
Care Diary: How to Grow Aloe castilloniae

Care Diary: How to Grow Aloe castilloniae

Aloe castilloniae is a highly sought after species for true aloe enthusiasts. If you’ve ever looked it up, particularly as a newbie to the hobby, the price tag even on small or young specimens might raise an eyebrow or two. They are a slow growing species from...