Aloe tongaensis
Moderator: Geoff
Forum rules
This section is dedicated toward maintaining one active thread for each Aloaceae species/subspecies/variety/cultivar. Please feel free to add information and/or photos to existing threads or start your own by adding Genus/species as the thread subject. Note that listings are displayed alphabetically. Enjoy!
This section is dedicated toward maintaining one active thread for each Aloaceae species/subspecies/variety/cultivar. Please feel free to add information and/or photos to existing threads or start your own by adding Genus/species as the thread subject. Note that listings are displayed alphabetically. Enjoy!
- Geoff
- Moderator
- Posts: 5267
- Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2013 8:12 am
- Location: Acton, California 93510
Aloe tongaensis
This for me is a very exciting plant because I obtained it 'accidentally' thinking it was just a small Aloe barberae, and indeed for many years these were thought to be a different form at that species. Then, once biologists realized it was NOT Aloe barberae (flowers were obvious very different) it was given the moniker Aloe Medusae, though I do not know the origin of that name. So for another 6 years I had in my collection an Aloe Medusae. And then someone finally found it in Mozambique and officially described it. Since then it has been found in South Africa as well. So now I had a whole new species of plant, and by this time it was flowering and had grown over my head, including a cutting I made from it.
This is a large, single stemmed by highly branched tree aloe very similar looking to both Aloe barberae and Aloe eminens. However, after seeing hundreds of these, I now can tell them apart from the A barberaes pretty easily even without flowers (still not 100% of the time, though). Aloe barberae is a much more heavy-bodied plant while Aloe tongaensis has thinner, longer, more delicate branches, and leaves never start out has massive as they do in Aloe barberae, despite their nearly identical overall shape and consistency (rubbery and very bendable, moderately to deeply channeled with small, light, marginal teeth). In fact, leaf size and width alone is one of the best indicators that Aloe tongaensis is not just another Aloe barberae. Eventually Aloe barberaes develop into massive trees, something which Aloe tongensis seem reluctant to do (only growing up to maybe 15' tall), and trunk diameter, though pretty thick, pales compared to those of mature Aloe barberaes.
Flowers are the primary distincitve features, growing on short multi branched inflorescences, and topped with short, almost capitate racemes of yellow-orange flowers, all facing up until opening at which time they drop downward (this is nothing like an Aloe barberae inflorescence). Aloe barberae inflorescences are extremely stout, short structures having maybe 2-3 branches at the most and flowers are densely packed, non-drooping and pinkish red. The flowers on Aloe tongaensis also always seem to be reaching for the sky, often far above or at least noticeably above the vegetation (something else one never sees in Aloe barberae inflorescences).
Cultivationally the two are very similar, however, with both being among the most cold sensitive of all the aloes, reluctant to die from freezing, but badly damaged at temps below 28F (Aloe tongaensis seems a bit tougher in this respect). Both love lots of water all year round. Both are also huge aloe mite magnets.
This is a large, single stemmed by highly branched tree aloe very similar looking to both Aloe barberae and Aloe eminens. However, after seeing hundreds of these, I now can tell them apart from the A barberaes pretty easily even without flowers (still not 100% of the time, though). Aloe barberae is a much more heavy-bodied plant while Aloe tongaensis has thinner, longer, more delicate branches, and leaves never start out has massive as they do in Aloe barberae, despite their nearly identical overall shape and consistency (rubbery and very bendable, moderately to deeply channeled with small, light, marginal teeth). In fact, leaf size and width alone is one of the best indicators that Aloe tongaensis is not just another Aloe barberae. Eventually Aloe barberaes develop into massive trees, something which Aloe tongensis seem reluctant to do (only growing up to maybe 15' tall), and trunk diameter, though pretty thick, pales compared to those of mature Aloe barberaes.
Flowers are the primary distincitve features, growing on short multi branched inflorescences, and topped with short, almost capitate racemes of yellow-orange flowers, all facing up until opening at which time they drop downward (this is nothing like an Aloe barberae inflorescence). Aloe barberae inflorescences are extremely stout, short structures having maybe 2-3 branches at the most and flowers are densely packed, non-drooping and pinkish red. The flowers on Aloe tongaensis also always seem to be reaching for the sky, often far above or at least noticeably above the vegetation (something else one never sees in Aloe barberae inflorescences).
Cultivationally the two are very similar, however, with both being among the most cold sensitive of all the aloes, reluctant to die from freezing, but badly damaged at temps below 28F (Aloe tongaensis seems a bit tougher in this respect). Both love lots of water all year round. Both are also huge aloe mite magnets.
-
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
- Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
- USDA Zone: 10a
Re: Aloe tongaensis
These are not great drought tolerant plants. For sure they want water in summer and if they don't get it quickly start to droop,new leaves will be dwarf. And few of those to replace the old ones that fell off.
Its best trait is ..well, looks. Sculptural,not huge, and also very cold tolerant. It doesn't show cold stress every winter like A.barbarea does.
I've seen this as a street tree in San Francisco..so not heat needy. Almost perfect.
Its best trait is ..well, looks. Sculptural,not huge, and also very cold tolerant. It doesn't show cold stress every winter like A.barbarea does.
I've seen this as a street tree in San Francisco..so not heat needy. Almost perfect.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
-
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
- Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
- USDA Zone: 10a
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Even though Aloe mite isn't a problem in the bay area- mealys love the axils of these plants. Today on nice warm day.
- Attachments
-
- IMG_3244.JPG (161.33 KiB) Viewed 5842 times
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
- toditd
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 682
- Joined: Sun May 29, 2016 1:13 pm
- Location: Phoenix Metro
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Spotted at a small garden center labeled "Aloe Medusa", with a price to break the budget. (Apologies for the bad cell phone pic.)
- Spination
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:06 am
- Location: Sonoma, Ca.
Re: Aloe tongaensis
That's a really nice looking plant - really like the trunk splitting feature and 2 heads on it. Something of a surprise to me is the comparatively small pot it's in, an indication it was able to be grown to that size very much underpotted.
- toditd
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 682
- Joined: Sun May 29, 2016 1:13 pm
- Location: Phoenix Metro
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Actually, you can't tell from the bad photo, but the two branches are further split each into three branches.
- Spination
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:06 am
- Location: Sonoma, Ca.
- Viegener
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 1168
- Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 1:34 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, Sunset z23
- USDA Zone: 10b
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Aloe tongaensis, flower buds already growing. What's amazing is that these are from a cutting I made about 3 months ago.
- Attachments
-
- Aloe tongaensis - cutting, 3 months after copy.JPG (134.87 KiB) Viewed 5478 times
-
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
- Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
- USDA Zone: 10a
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Today. From near death in 2014...mealys. Now in bloom.
- Attachments
-
- IMG_7977x.jpg (88.89 KiB) Viewed 5432 times
-
- IMG_7984.JPG (133.73 KiB) Viewed 5432 times
-
- IMG_7983.JPG (205.02 KiB) Viewed 5432 times
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
- Viegener
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 1168
- Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 1:34 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, Sunset z23
- USDA Zone: 10b
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Most of my tongaensis cuttings are blooming like mad. What's interesting is they are barely rooted. It seems like this is a good year for them all over Southern California.
-
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
- Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
- USDA Zone: 10a
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Also,it says something about the warmth in the bay area this summer that its blooming on the same schedule as in soucal. This plus,the Mango fruit and the Schefflera blooms,I'm seeing somethings I never saw before. Come to think if it- the white E.ammak also flowered and had fruit for the first time this year.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
- Azuleja
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 1776
- Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2016 9:23 am
- Location: CA | Zone 9a | Chaparral
-
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
- Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
- USDA Zone: 10a
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Thanks Azul. I noticed- A.plicatilis has blossom stalks. Early.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
- Viegener
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 1168
- Joined: Thu Nov 26, 2015 1:34 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, Sunset z23
- USDA Zone: 10b
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Yes, I'm seeing bloom stalks on A. plicatilis. Here's some from mid-Oct at Annie's Annuals in the Bay Area.
- Attachments
-
- Aloe plicatilis blooming mid-Oct in Bay Area.JPG (175.96 KiB) Viewed 5397 times
-
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
- Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
- USDA Zone: 10a
Re: Aloe tongaensis
A couple more as the color deepened. As good an excuse as any
- Attachments
-
- IMG_8003.JPG (77.37 KiB) Viewed 5382 times
-
- IMG_8002.JPG (149.81 KiB) Viewed 5382 times
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
-
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
- Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
- USDA Zone: 10a
Re: Aloe tongaensis
One more...its been 3 years.
- Attachments
-
- IMG_8032.JPG (406.67 KiB) Viewed 5364 times
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
-
- Rhizome
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Wed Jan 10, 2018 10:44 am
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Hello Geoff, I purchased these cuttings from a seller and assumed these were Aloe Barberae but a friend said they may be Tongaesnsis. What do you think?
- Attachments
-
- e0d0091be244435c98033e90054b3292.jpg (107.51 KiB) Viewed 4700 times
-
- 51744591d0cb4289ab70fe7b9fdaf283.jpg (132.36 KiB) Viewed 4700 times
-
- 85acf51e2e944460b9fbe287ed826c38.jpg (79.11 KiB) Viewed 4700 times
-
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
- Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
- USDA Zone: 10a
Re: Aloe tongaensis
A.tongaensis is my bet. I notice that mine has sprouted many lower branches as the top original branches seem to be slowly penciling with smaller and smaller leaves. Mine gets more shade then it needs- it needs none!..That might mean the lower are adapted to the increasing shade from my Ash tree.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
- Melt in the Sun
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 2062
- Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2014 3:41 pm
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- USDA Zone: 9b
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Survived three years in the ground now, this plant has probably 12" of trunk showing. It isn't growing much and burns a little each summer. Not a great plant for AZ, as many have suspected.
- Attachments
-
- 20200420_110807_resized.jpg (191.11 KiB) Viewed 4377 times
-
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
- Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
- USDA Zone: 10a
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Mine does not seem much taller now than in 2017..just more shoots low. I guess it's reached pretty much its full height for me in my own garden at 12'. More sun and warm down south,they probably get a good deal taller and heftier. Going with what I got.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
-
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
- Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
- USDA Zone: 10a
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Today..very cool here barely 60f and we had a 5 minute thunderstorm of rain.
- Attachments
-
- IMG_3048.jpg (133.32 KiB) Viewed 3819 times
-
- IMG_3043.jpg (181.1 KiB) Viewed 3819 times
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat May 13, 2023 9:31 pm
- USDA Zone: 9b
Re: Aloe tongaensis
Why do you think it's doesn't pose a problem in the bay area? I am in Southern California and aloe mite is a big problem.
-
- Ready to Bolt
- Posts: 5688
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:58 pm
- Location: Hayward ca/SF bay area
- USDA Zone: 10a
Re: Aloe tongaensis
I would only guess that the cooler summers dont stress the Aloes? Winters are 10 f cooler with the occasional frost? So far in over 20 years of Aloe buying and planting I've never seen Aloe mite.
The city of Hayward has been on a big Aloe striata plantings for landscaping so even the city landscaper isn't especially worried.
The city of Hayward has been on a big Aloe striata plantings for landscaping so even the city landscaper isn't especially worried.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
-
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:11 pm
Re: Aloe tongaensis
I'm in Oakland, I've seen 2 cases of aloe mite recently. My next door neighbor had a nasty infestation on their A. nobilis. Haven't seen any sign of mite on our aloes, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled.