Another beautiful montane aloe from Madagascar. There is considerable confusion between this species and Aloe altimatsiatrae, which, according to AtDGuide, possesses 'longer leaves, taller inflorescence and more distinctly yellow flowers with outer tepals free to the base instead of only halfway.' if that helps anyone. It probably does if you're lucky enough to be in possession of both species; sadly, I am not. The image of altimatsiatre in AtDGuide does seem to show a larger, laxer plant with more extensive flowers and about twice the number of buds, so I'm happy that the individual above is fievetii. In the wild this variety occurs only on Fianarantsoa's granite rocks at around 1200m altitude alongside aloe capitata, placing it squarely in that charmed clade of 'goldilocks' (not too hot, not too cold) aloes that will survive and indeed seem to require cooler conditions for optimal health, with desert growers reporting limited success and often gradual decline. Being directly beside the sea and experiencing a temperature range of about 35(extreme max) to say, 15˚C in summer, and 15 down to 0˚C in winter with decent humidity all year, our situation is probably right up fievetii's alley. The leaves become tinged with bronze in summer. It remains outdoors all year round under a polycarbonate roof, unheated and sheltered only from the rain and hail. When this specimen has put on more heads than I can deal with I'll plant some in the aloe garden out front, since it grows freely from cuttings. When I think about it, this is one of my most trouble-free and easygoing species. * More Aloes Here * A Human Rights Watch report into forcible rehousing and relocation of Tibetans within Tibet by the Chinese authorities. Read it here. Support their work. Their freedom is our freedom. The differences that distinguish us all are a treasure that is lost with every passing day. Sometimes there's really nothing to complain about, is there? |
Independent Creativity
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