Aloe ferox Video

Hello and welcome to Brainy Gardener! Today it is all about how to grow and care for the Aloe ferox. Aloe ferox, or Cape Aloe, is a succulent plant that grows in the wilds of South Africa and Lesotho. The indigenous people of these regions and early European settlers have used these plants for centuries both medicinally and as an aesthetic plant. Cape Aloe is popular as a garden feature or an indoor ornamental plant because of its huge, showy red-orange flowers.
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RESOURCES & LINKS:
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How to Take Care of Aloe ferox - Gardening Tips
brainygardener.com/aloe-ferox...
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Video Timestamps
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0:00 - Introduction
0:58- Light
1:10 - Soil, Water and Fertilizer
2:00- Temperature and Humidity
2:20 - Pruning
2:32 - Potting and Repotting
3:44 - Propagation
4:17- Blooms
4:38 - Toxicity and Common Pests
5:33 - Note and Avoid
5:44 - Common Problems
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Summary
Aloe ferox, or Cape Aloe, is a succulent plant that grows in the wilds of South Africa and Lesotho. Cape Aloe is popular as a garden feature or an indoor ornamental plant because of its huge, showy red-orange flowers. Its leaves are lined with sharp brown teeth along the edges and on the back. They are incredibly sharp and need to be handled with care. The Cape Aloe is a forgiving succulent, easy to grow, and easier to maintain. Beyond providing the necessities, the gardener needs to do little else.
1. Light
Aloe ferox prefers full sun, but can deal with light shade as well. If you grow this Aloe indoors, place it near a south-facing window where it will get as much direct sunlight as possible.
2. Soil, Water and Fertilizer
Aloe ferox prefers well-draining soil that’s slightly alkaline. A good mix for this Aloe is equal parts potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand. Aloe ferox is drought tolerant and does not need watering more than once every two weeks. However, more frequent light watering may be necessary for succulent plants growing indoors to prevent them from becoming too dry. Aloe ferox is slow growing and does not require fertilizing for several years.
3. Temperature and Humidity
Cape Aloe prefers temperatures between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It does not like drafts and should not be exposed to the cold if wet. You should maintain humidity at around 40 to 60% on average. It is winter hardy to USDA zones 9-12.
4. Pruning
Aloe ferox is not a good candidate for pruning. The dead leaves surrounding and forming a coating over the younger leaves perform a necessary function and shouldn’t be removed.
5. Potting and Repotting
Aloe ferox rarely needs repotting. If planted in a large enough pot, this plant will easily stay there for multiple years; however, if you see roots over-flowing from the pot, it’s time to repot. Spring is the perfect time to undergo this process. Avoid repotting in winter.
6. Propagating Aloe arborescens by Suckers (Pups)
You can use both seeds and head cuttings to propagate an Aloe ferox. However, head cuttings run the risk of ruining the parent plant and are therefore not recommended. To propagate this plant by seeds, split the seed pot to get to the black, flat seeds within. Take the fresh seeds and plant them under a thin layer of soil in a well-draining pot. Water lightly and wait for seedlings to germinate and take root. Transplant in a new pot when they are sufficiently grown.
7. Blooms
Red-orange tubular flowers appear in a candelabra-like arrangement above the foliage. They are held in upright inflorescences that leave a lasting impression on the observer. With an iconic appearance, the blooms make an Aloe ferox immediately recognizable, even in a sea of other Aloes.
8. Toxicity and Common Pests
Aloe ferox is non-toxic to humans and animals. It is safe to be grown around children and pets. Mealybugs, Scale Insects and Aphids are some of the common pests of these plants.
9. Note and Avoid
Please Note and Avoid. Over-watering the plant, Placing it under harsh sunlight, Using poorly drained potting mediums, and Fertilizing during the dormancy period.
10 Common Problems
Over-fertilization, dying leaves and over-watering are some of the common problems of these plants.
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[@daleandrews3552]

Yesterday I potted up a fairly large Aloe ferox I got from a company called Happy Valley Plants. It went into an about 15 gallon terra cotta pot. There it will remain for a good many years, hopefully. It gets full sun for about 1/2 a day on a patio. Great video, BTW.

[@nopsdarkieboy3654]

My residential plot has about 10 of these giants. They look several decades old. They are scattered around so I want to transplant and align them to create space for contraction. I have zero basic knowledge on what I'm about to do. May you please help me out with all the necessary and vital information about translocating these living ancestors

[@bellemady1]

How do you use Aloe ferox for medicinal or cosmetics purposes? Is it edible?