mrhappyrotter
Grand Chupacabra
Aloe harlana
I bought this species under a common name "Painted Aloe" about 10 years ago. Back then none of us ever imagined you would one day walk into a Home Depot or Lowes and see actual aloes, painted. But the time and place for that discussion is neither here nor now.
When I bought this, it was in a tiny little 2" pot, and I thought "how cute" I can make room for that. It blooms multiple times per year, with no regard to the season. Summer is peak bloom season, however, and while these aren't the brightest colored flowers by any stretch of the imagination, the hummingbirds love them. And anything that hummingbirds love is a good thing.
Though it started out little, it has expanded to become a formidable beast, particularly for an indoor grower. I get it outdoors on a super shady deck as soon as the threat of frost passes. It seems to tolerate nights in the 40s without a hitch, though I confess, I try to keep it inside if it's going to get colder than 50.
The leaves are very stiff, but also very thick like a typical aloe, I guess. Besides the obvious patterns, which are beautiful, the spines are tipped in red even under lower light conditions, and they're fairly timid spines when compared to something vicious like you might find among the bromeliads. But I've said too much and now the Dyckia looks like it's angry with me.
I have to let the spike grow up through the wire rack because there's no other place for it to go. The spike is tall and branching. The flowers themselves are not yet open, but from the looks of it, they will be soon.
As per usual, I imagine you are all TLDRing by now, so here are the pics.
I bought this species under a common name "Painted Aloe" about 10 years ago. Back then none of us ever imagined you would one day walk into a Home Depot or Lowes and see actual aloes, painted. But the time and place for that discussion is neither here nor now.
When I bought this, it was in a tiny little 2" pot, and I thought "how cute" I can make room for that. It blooms multiple times per year, with no regard to the season. Summer is peak bloom season, however, and while these aren't the brightest colored flowers by any stretch of the imagination, the hummingbirds love them. And anything that hummingbirds love is a good thing.
Though it started out little, it has expanded to become a formidable beast, particularly for an indoor grower. I get it outdoors on a super shady deck as soon as the threat of frost passes. It seems to tolerate nights in the 40s without a hitch, though I confess, I try to keep it inside if it's going to get colder than 50.
The leaves are very stiff, but also very thick like a typical aloe, I guess. Besides the obvious patterns, which are beautiful, the spines are tipped in red even under lower light conditions, and they're fairly timid spines when compared to something vicious like you might find among the bromeliads. But I've said too much and now the Dyckia looks like it's angry with me.
I have to let the spike grow up through the wire rack because there's no other place for it to go. The spike is tall and branching. The flowers themselves are not yet open, but from the looks of it, they will be soon.
As per usual, I imagine you are all TLDRing by now, so here are the pics.
