Care of the Aloe Juvenna Plant or Dwarf Aloe
Within the family of the Xanthorrhoeaceae (subfamily Asphodeloideae ) is classified the genus Aloe composed of about 500 species of succulent plants from Africa, Madagascar and the Middle East. Some species of the genus Aloe are: Aloe variegata, Aloe aristata, Aloe striata, Aloe ciliaris, Aloe arborescens, Aloe vera, Aloe ferox, Aloe spinosissima, Aloe mitriformis, Aloe marlothii, Aloe plicatilis, Aloe thraskii, Aloe barberae, Aloe tenuior.
It is known by the vulgar names of dwarf Aloe or Aloe juvenna. This species is native of Kenya.
These are small aloes that branch off at the base forming rosettes of leaves arranged spirally on the stem that can reach about 20-25 cm in height. Said leaves have a triangular shape, the border with small white teeth and are light green with white spots; if they get a lot of sun they adopt reddish and brown tones. They produce tubular flowers , orange or pink and yellow, on floral stems above the leaves. They can bloom at different times of the year.
Although the most common is to grow them in pots and planters because of their small size they are also very useful to cover slopes, in rockery or on bordures.
The dwarf Aloe can live in an exposure to full sun but prefers the light shade avoiding the direct rays of sun in the hottest hours of the day.
As a soil we can use a commercial substrate for cactus and succulents, especially if we grow them in a pot. Outdoors it is enough that the ground is well drained.
Water all year round in a moderate way, waiting for the land to dry and in winter to reduce the risks drastically (outside, suspend them).
Charged with mineral fertilizers for cacti and succulents once a month in spring and summer.
They do not need pruning but withered floral stems and dry or damaged branches can be eliminated.
If we do not overdo it with irrigation they are often free of pests and diseases .
The best way to multiply them is to root, at the beginning of the summer, the shoots that it produces at the base in a sandy and slightly humid substrate.
I am Don Burke, one of the authors at My Garden Guide. I am a horticulturist that cultivates, grows, and cares for plants, ranging from shrubs and fruits to flowers. I do it in my own garden and in my nursery. I show you how to take care of your garden and how to perform garden landscaping in an easy way, step by step.I am originally from Sydney and I wrote in local magazines. Later on, I have decided, more than two decades ago, to create my own blog. My area of specialization is related to orchid care, succulent care, and the study of the substrate and the soil. Therefore, you will see many articles dedicated to these disciplines. I also provide advice about how to improve the landscape design of your garden.
