Some things currently in bloom

Use this forum to discuss matters relating to Aloe, Gasteria, Haworthia and related species. This is where one posts unknown plant photos for ID help.

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Some things currently in bloom

#1

Post by Spination »

A hybrid named 'Mango Madness' by it's inventor Brent Wigand.
2016 03 23 Aloe Mango Madness a x750.jpg
2016 03 23 Aloe Mango Madness a x750.jpg (131.25 KiB) Viewed 26675 times
Not sure at all about the ID, but 'Blue Elf' was suggested previously.
2016 03 22 Aloe Blue Elf maybe a X750.jpg
2016 03 22 Aloe Blue Elf maybe a X750.jpg (247.5 KiB) Viewed 26675 times
2016 03 22 Aloe Blue Elf maybe b.JPG
2016 03 22 Aloe Blue Elf maybe b.JPG (103.34 KiB) Viewed 26675 times
Aloe saponaria aka maculata
2016 03 22 Aloe saponaria or maculata x750.jpg
2016 03 22 Aloe saponaria or maculata x750.jpg (333.09 KiB) Viewed 26675 times
2016 03 22 Aloe saponaria or maculata b X750.jpg
2016 03 22 Aloe saponaria or maculata b X750.jpg (195.93 KiB) Viewed 26675 times
Aloe grandidentata
Early stage bloom, but showing the branching.
2016 03 22 Aloe grandidentata.JPG
2016 03 22 Aloe grandidentata.JPG (87.52 KiB) Viewed 26675 times
Aloe humilis #1 (very spiny) crossed with Aloe humilis #2 (not so spiny). #1 in the latter state of bloom, #2 already done but having produced at least one seed pod.
2016 03 22 Aloe humilis #1 nearing end x750.jpg
2016 03 22 Aloe humilis #1 nearing end x750.jpg (149.15 KiB) Viewed 26675 times
2016 03 22 Aloe humilis #2 seed pod.JPG
2016 03 22 Aloe humilis #2 seed pod.JPG (73.9 KiB) Viewed 26675 times
Gasteria rawlinsonii to the left still in full bloom crossed with Gasteria marmorata Variegated to the right. No seed pods to be seen on the rawlinsonii, but one seed pod resulting on the variegated marmorata from rawlinsonii pollen. Hoping for some variegated seedlings (with rawlinsonii marmorata mixed characteristics), which is possible through maternal cytoplasmic inheritance.
2016 03 22 Gasteria rawlinsonii Gasteria marmorata Variegated x750.jpg
2016 03 22 Gasteria rawlinsonii Gasteria marmorata Variegated x750.jpg (227.42 KiB) Viewed 26675 times
2016 03 22 Gasteria rawlinsonii Gasteria marmorata Variegated seed pod.JPG
2016 03 22 Gasteria rawlinsonii Gasteria marmorata Variegated seed pod.JPG (90.16 KiB) Viewed 26675 times
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#2

Post by Spination »

Last but not least, this has been a reliable bloomer now in it's third blooming season for me. Last year there were 5 inflorescences, this year 8 in development (one not visible in pic)
2016 03 22 Aloe plicatillis 8 blooms 2016 x750.jpg
2016 03 22 Aloe plicatillis 8 blooms 2016 x750.jpg (313.16 KiB) Viewed 26673 times
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#3

Post by Spination »

As an afterthought, thought I'd throw in this pic of seed pods from crossing that Aloe descoingsii with the white hybrid Aloe 'Salt' to the right. No seed pods on Salt, but a few on descoingsii.
2016 03 21 Aloe Salt #1 pollen donor X Aloe descoingsii X750.jpg
2016 03 21 Aloe Salt #1 pollen donor X Aloe descoingsii X750.jpg (242.96 KiB) Viewed 26674 times
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#4

Post by mcvansoest »

Hi Spination,

Nice! Very nice!

I do no think your A. 'blue elf' is actually that plant - AFAIK Aloe 'Blue Elf' looks like this (sorry not the best pictures taken with my iPhone):
IMG_1325.jpg
IMG_1325.jpg (189.74 KiB) Viewed 26673 times
IMG_1323.jpg
IMG_1323.jpg (196.87 KiB) Viewed 26673 times
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#5

Post by Spination »

Thanks.
I was thinking that myself and am in agreement with you. Back when someone offered up that ID, the plant was immature, the leaves were more skinny as seems to be the norm for that hybrid, such as the perfect examples that you have pictured. It looks a lot different now, and really not much at all like Blue Elf. So, I am still clueless as to what it is. In good shape though, without frost leaf tip burn, it is one rather decent looking plant, and I do like the flowers as well.
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#6

Post by mcvansoest »

It is nice plant! Looks like it might be a not so spotted, spotted Aloe though, so the ultimate ID could be tough to figure out.... ::wink::

I have a clump of 'Blue Elf' in my front yard and I still owe you a box with some cuttings and pups, from way back when, so I can include a cutting (I have actually been looking to put a box of stuff together for you - would you still be interested in some Opuntia santa rita and or Opuntia stenopetala? ). I am not sure if it roots as easily as most other clumping Aloes, but I would assume so.
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#7

Post by Spination »

Sounds good to me!
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#8

Post by mickthecactus »

Excellent! Thanks. Hope the crosses work for you.
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#9

Post by Spination »

Thanks! I hope so too. I have a number of seedlings from crosses last year currently growing, and more germinating, more crosses happening now, more seed pods growing, and more flowers on the way, etc. Previous efforts were crosses of opportunity, pretty much limited to what I had blooming at the same time, with more limited choices to work with.
I have a lot more plants now, more being acquired every week, even being sent in from other parts of the world...more that I find highly interesting as well, and I can see that every year, there are and will be more things blooming, more possibilities for crossing, with possibly more intention rather than accidental opportunity behind them. This is really starting to be a lot of fun. It's great having and growing various species, trying to grow a perfect specimen, but the possibility of creating something different, starting with a paint brush and pollen from one flower to another, to seed pod, to germination, and then growing the plants from seedlings adds a whole new dimension of enjoyment. D)) The really neat thing about Aloes as well is that there seems to be quite a variety of blooming schedule and times, so always more opportunities to experiment year round. Endless fun!
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#10

Post by Spination »

A follow up on the Aloe Blue Elf Not Quite...
2016 04 11 Aloe Blue Elf Not Quite a X750.jpg
2016 04 11 Aloe Blue Elf Not Quite a X750.jpg (283.88 KiB) Viewed 26595 times
2016 04 11 Aloe Blue Elf Not Quite b X750.jpg
2016 04 11 Aloe Blue Elf Not Quite b X750.jpg (266.28 KiB) Viewed 26595 times
If anyone has thoughts on what hybrid this might be, I'd be interested in any insight. It's a heavy suckering aloe as well, and these took a couple of years to bloom from decent sized rooted cuttings (rooted very easily). Also, as I learned this year, it's somewhat frost sensitive as a few I left out unprotected sustained damage...

And now some seed pods developing...
2016 04 11 Aloe Blue Elf Not Quite c seed pods crossed with Aloe humilis #1 b x750.jpg
2016 04 11 Aloe Blue Elf Not Quite c seed pods crossed with Aloe humilis #1 b x750.jpg (120.67 KiB) Viewed 26595 times
crossed with this...
2016 03 22 Aloe humilis #1 nearing end x750.jpg
2016 03 22 Aloe humilis #1 nearing end x750.jpg (149.15 KiB) Viewed 26595 times
Looking forward to the seedlings from these pods, as I think the mother plant has nice qualities, and the cross with the humilis should make it even better.

Interestingly, I had 2 Aloe humilis blooming at roughly the same time. One more fantastically spined/tuberculed (#1) than the other (#2). Also, although I crossed them to each other, #1 did not develop seed pods, while #2 did. That seems to coincide with the fact that #1 was heavy with pollen, while #2 had barely any pollen to speak of.
Here are the well developing and already quite large and long seed pods on Aloe humilis #2... (also looking forward to seedlings from these pods)
2016 04 11 Aloe humilis #2 seed pods X with Aloe humilis #1 pollen.JPG
2016 04 11 Aloe humilis #2 seed pods X with Aloe humilis #1 pollen.JPG (117.6 KiB) Viewed 26595 times
Here's an update of the blooming Aloe plicatilis, which is developing seed pods, in spite of no hand pollination by me, although I have seen hummingbirds active around this plant. That tells me that this plant is clearly self fertile and all the seedlings I have growing from last years seed batch, which look very much pure plicatilis, are quite likely pure (self pollinated) in spite of my clearly failed efforts to cross with 2 other blooming aloes (A. Mango Madness and A. humilis #1) at the time.
2016 04 11 Aloe plicatillis seed pods _ hummingbird pollinated x750.jpg
2016 04 11 Aloe plicatillis seed pods _ hummingbird pollinated x750.jpg (307.7 KiB) Viewed 26595 times
2016 04 11 Aloe plicatillis seed pods _ hummingbird pollinated Cropped.jpg
2016 04 11 Aloe plicatillis seed pods _ hummingbird pollinated Cropped.jpg (120.43 KiB) Viewed 26595 times
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#11

Post by Stan »

Thats not Blue Elf. Its not even 'California' that's a bigger version of Blue Elf. What it is a hybrid of I don't know. I do know- enough of the rains. My Aloe dorothea went from orange to green in four days.
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#12

Post by Spination »

Yup, pretty much set on what it isn't, and nice to rule out 'California' as well (although I didn't know that one), but hoping it might be something someone recognizes. Perhaps just a garden hybrid, or an undisclosed something that once made the rounds in a nearby garden center, as it was given to me as a bag of cuttings from a barrel full of these in a garden further north of hereabouts.

After checking this below link, I see 'California' is considered a synonym of 'Blue Elf', as well as something previously marketed as 'Blue Boy' (but not the KG hybrid). Also, according to the info from SMG, the flower color is wrong, as mine is red as opposed to the orange typical of 'Blue Elf'.

http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plant ... nt_id=2895" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#13

Post by Stan »

My California has one stem- 4'+ in the middle. Its like one of the parents DNA is a trunking plant..and that ONE stem only reverted. Strange. All others look like California...
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#14

Post by Agavemonger »

Tom---

Your plant is an old-fashioned cross known as Aloe 'spinosissima', I believe. ::wink::

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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#15

Post by Spination »

Awesome, thanks a lot.
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#16

Post by Spination »

Aloe maculata full bloom
2016 04 16 Aloe maculata _ saponaria full bloom a X750.jpg
2016 04 16 Aloe maculata _ saponaria full bloom a X750.jpg (284.71 KiB) Viewed 26533 times
Aloe grandididentata full bloom
2016 04 16 Aloe grandididentata X750.jpg
2016 04 16 Aloe grandididentata X750.jpg (212.37 KiB) Viewed 26533 times
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#17

Post by Spination »

More aloes coming along, more pollen and flowers to play with... D))

Aloe aristata just starting
2016 04 27 Aloe aristata a x750.jpg
2016 04 27 Aloe aristata a x750.jpg (233.38 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
2016 04 27 Aloe aristata b.JPG
2016 04 27 Aloe aristata b.JPG (109.71 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
Aloe citrea
2016 04 27 Aloe citrea a X750.jpg
2016 04 27 Aloe citrea a X750.jpg (230.33 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
Definitely something going on in there...
2016 04 27 Aloe citrea b.JPG
2016 04 27 Aloe citrea b.JPG (126.45 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
Aloe Doran Black blooming
2016 04 27 Aloe Doran Black blooming a X750.jpg
2016 04 27 Aloe Doran Black blooming a X750.jpg (218.65 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
Trio of hybrids Aloe Donnie Bright Star, Aloe Pickled Pink, Aloe Latte
2016 04 27 Aloe Donnie Bright Star_Aloe Pickled Pink_ Aloe Latte d X750.jpg
2016 04 27 Aloe Donnie Bright Star_Aloe Pickled Pink_ Aloe Latte d X750.jpg (282.46 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
2016 04 27 Aloe Donnie Bright Star_Aloe Pickled Pink_ Aloe Latte c X750.jpg
2016 04 27 Aloe Donnie Bright Star_Aloe Pickled Pink_ Aloe Latte c X750.jpg (305.81 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
Aloe brevifolia starting up
2016 04 27 Aloe brevifolia X750.jpg
2016 04 27 Aloe brevifolia X750.jpg (257.84 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#18

Post by Spination »

And some evidence of other shenanigans

Aloe Dragon x'd with Aloe Marmalade
2016 04 27 Aloe Dragon X with Aloe Marmalade a x750.jpg
2016 04 27 Aloe Dragon X with Aloe Marmalade a x750.jpg (224.44 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
2016 04 27 Aloe Dragon X with Aloe Marmalade b x750.jpg
2016 04 27 Aloe Dragon X with Aloe Marmalade b x750.jpg (110.76 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
and the reverse - Aloe Marmalade x'd with Aloe Dragon
2016 04 27 Aloe Marmalade X with Aloe Dragon a X750.jpg
2016 04 27 Aloe Marmalade X with Aloe Dragon a X750.jpg (290.19 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
2016 04 27 Aloe Marmalade X with Aloe Dragon b.JPG
2016 04 27 Aloe Marmalade X with Aloe Dragon b.JPG (41.1 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
These 2 crossed together...Aloe Sunrise and Aloe Kelly's Blue - seeds pods developing for sure on Kelly's Blue
2016 04 27 Aloe Sunset_Aloe Kelly Blue  a X750.jpg
2016 04 27 Aloe Sunset_Aloe Kelly Blue a X750.jpg (364.99 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
and an interesting development with Aloe Sunrise pollen successfully combined with Gasteria rawlinsonii, seed pods developing
2016 04 27 Gasteria rawlinsonii seed pods X w_Aloe Sunrise X750.jpg
2016 04 27 Gasteria rawlinsonii seed pods X w_Aloe Sunrise X750.jpg (229.11 KiB) Viewed 26511 times
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#19

Post by Viegener »

I'm curious if anyone's grown Aloe saponaria aka maculata without those burnt leaf tips. I finally tossed all of mine because I got tired of its cranky self.
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#20

Post by Spination »

This is my best... it's quite a bit older than the younger cluster growing in full sun. This one enjoys shelter under a deciduous tree, is 30" + across, and it's current primary branched flower stalk is 40" high, and 1" thick. I'm guessing due to it's more sheltered situation, it blooms several weeks behind the ones in the sun. Leaf tips are about as good as they get.
2016 04 27 Aloe maculata old c X750.jpg
2016 04 27 Aloe maculata old c X750.jpg (319.71 KiB) Viewed 26507 times
2016 04 27 Aloe maculata old b X750.jpg
2016 04 27 Aloe maculata old b X750.jpg (275.1 KiB) Viewed 26507 times
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#21

Post by Viegener »

Interesting. Will think about a shadier spot, but I've got lots of nice plants scrambling for the limited shade I have.
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#22

Post by Spination »

Aloe citrea coming along...
2016 05 16 Aloe citrea X750.jpg
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#23

Post by Spination »

Aloe striatula coming into bloom. There's a wall full of these in back, but last year I took several cuttings and potted them in 1 gal pots. They were not only all too easy to root, but a couple of them starting to bloom this year already.
2016 05 13 Aloe striatula v Caesia a X750.jpg
2016 05 13 Aloe striatula v Caesia a X750.jpg (268.31 KiB) Viewed 26439 times
2016 05 13 Aloe striatula v Caesia b X750.jpg
2016 05 13 Aloe striatula v Caesia b X750.jpg (134 KiB) Viewed 26439 times
2016 05 13 Aloe striatula v Caesia c crop x750.jpg
2016 05 13 Aloe striatula v Caesia c crop x750.jpg (173.35 KiB) Viewed 26439 times
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#24

Post by Spination »

More good stuff...

Aloe lavranosii starting up for this year's display already. Last year I bought this one already in bloom at the end of June - a full month later it was still blooming.
2016 05 18 Aloe lavranosii bloom starting X750.jpg
2016 05 18 Aloe lavranosii bloom starting X750.jpg (144.56 KiB) Viewed 26400 times
A bit over a month ago, I finally decided to sow a small # from last year's seed pods, which are growing fast. I believe these to be largely self pollinated ala hummingbirds and honey bees.
2016 05 18 Aloe lavranosii seedlings X750.jpg
2016 05 18 Aloe lavranosii seedlings X750.jpg (260.46 KiB) Viewed 26400 times
Aloe aristata bloom progress. I have 2 blooming at the same time. This year, I think I'll cross one with the other, and use pollen from something else to cross with the other one so as to grow both aristata seedlings and a hybrid yet to be determined...got a couple more days before aristata flowers open to decide among several others: Fang, Kelly's Blue, Doran Black, Latte, Picked Pink, Donnie Bright Star, Viper, and Citrea. Little Snow and sladeniana are only days away from flowers opening as well so a couple more options available if aristata doesn't finish too quickly.
2016 05 18 Aloe aristata bloom progress X750.jpg
2016 05 18 Aloe aristata bloom progress X750.jpg (220.27 KiB) Viewed 26400 times
Aloe brevifolia progress
2016 05 18 Aloe breviflora inflorescence progress X750.jpg
2016 05 18 Aloe breviflora inflorescence progress X750.jpg (192.11 KiB) Viewed 26400 times
Aloe plicatilis seed pods
2016 05 18 Aloe plicatilis #2 1 inflorescence seed pods X750.jpg
2016 05 18 Aloe plicatilis #2 1 inflorescence seed pods X750.jpg (234.19 KiB) Viewed 26400 times
And the larger one... all 8 inflorescences were open pollinated by hummingbirds mostly, and I expect based on last year's seedlings, are selfed.
2016 05 18 Aloe plicatilis #1 8 inflorescences seed pods X750.jpg
2016 05 18 Aloe plicatilis #1 8 inflorescences seed pods X750.jpg (365.48 KiB) Viewed 26400 times
From last year's seed pods, 2 groups of 70 seedlings each. The earlier group getting large fast...
2016 05 18 Aloe plicatilis seedlings batch 1 and 2 70 seedlings each X750.jpg
2016 05 18 Aloe plicatilis seedlings batch 1 and 2 70 seedlings each X750.jpg (194.37 KiB) Viewed 26400 times
Aloe grandidentata seed pods
2016 05 18 Aloe grandidentata seed pods.JPG
2016 05 18 Aloe grandidentata seed pods.JPG (135.06 KiB) Viewed 26400 times
2 hybrids currently getting crossed - Aloe Donnie Bright Star on left, and Aloe Doran Black on the right
2016 05 18 Aloe Donnie Bright Star and Aloe Doran Black X750.jpg
2016 05 18 Aloe Donnie Bright Star and Aloe Doran Black X750.jpg (167.84 KiB) Viewed 26400 times
The plants themselves...I'm imagining potentially pleasing results crossing these together.
2016 05 18 Aloe Donnie Bright Star and Aloe Doran Black b X750.jpg
2016 05 18 Aloe Donnie Bright Star and Aloe Doran Black b X750.jpg (198.64 KiB) Viewed 26400 times
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Re: Some things currently in bloom

#25

Post by Jkwinston »

Absolutely fabulous! My word Tom, you have been busy. There must be 36 hours in your day. Jkw
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