This is an aloe at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. It is Aloe 'Hercules'
Aloe barberae x dichotoma
Where does it go in the database? I've gone through a lot of pages and searches. TIA,
Karen

I have been having trouble myself. Like groupings and some hybrids. I just gave up. I did put some new ones in the data base in the past but seems I can't do it again?? Love that trunk on that Aloe. Too large for me in zone 6.

I hope someone can help. it is hard to figure out how to add plants that aren't already in the database.

That trunk is tremendous, but it wouldn't grow well in my yard. My yard is too open, hot and sunny. The botanical garden has a lot of old shade and their plants take full advantage of it. I should have added more trees in the beginning.

Propose an addition to the database for this hybrid.

I think since it is a named hybrid 'Hercules' it should either go as Aloe 'Hercules' or Aloe x 'Hercules' (A. barberae x A. dichotoma).

As to growing it in full sun they will with time get pretty good with the full sun. I started one from about 2 feet tall and spend the first 3 years building a shade structure over it every summer, because the shade tree I had put it next got blown over. The shade tree - a 'Desert Museum' Palo Verde came back pretty quickly to pick up its job as a shade tree, and the plant itself got too big for the shade structure so it was left to cope, now it has more or less outgrown the shade tree I put it next to (it is going on 15' tall now) and has branched. Leaves now get some sun burn in the summer, but as long as it gets a little extra water during the hot months it does just fine. I have a pretty recent photo on a different computer that I will try to post.

It should be noted that it get damaged by temperatures in the mid 20s, but is fine in the high 20s and low 30s.

I am trying to grow both parents. A. dichotoma does well here, but is just slow. A. barberae has a tough time in the summer here in Mesa. Full shade required in the summer.

All that looks like excellent information to include with the database listing... good stuff to know. if you click on "Hercules" above the pictures at the start of the thread, you will get to the right page where you can "Post a comment" through a link at the bottom.

Hello. Aloe help needed. This is my first forum post ever. I am new to ATP but I have questions about my aloe vera. When the outer leaves are ready to be harvested and I cut the aloe vera gel out of the leaves, how long does it last? Freshness wise? Any tips for using the gel? If I cut the leave and just let the ends sit in water is that ok too? Just a few questions about the best uses for storing/using/harvesting, etc. the gel itself. Thanks!

Nice photo and plant Karen -- I am familiar with that plant. The tree-like Aloe dichotoma grows well for us in the Tucson area.

@Thijs .......... It should be noted that it get damaged by temperatures in the mid 20s, but is fine in the high 20s and low 30s ...........

A. dichotoma does well here, but is just slow ...........

Pretty much the same here, Thijs




I use The Plant List for all my plant nomenclature. You can copy and paste a Latin Plant name such as
Melocactus matanzanus into the The Plant List Search box to see synonyms, the author's name and additional information


James

Spectacular trunk and flowering plant there, James.

Jen, regarding the use of aloe vera gel... I always cut a fresh piece as needed (we have lots of plants here and there is no way to run out of leaves). They seem to discolor and age kind of fast once they are cut. My suggestion would be to allow the plant to "store" the gel and harvest it when you need to use it. Be aware that many plants sold as aloe vera are misidentified, so you may want to confirm the name of your plant before use.

jamesicus said:Nice photo and plant Karen -- I am familiar with that plant. The tree-like Aloe dichotoma grows well for us in the Tucson area.



Pretty much the same here, Thijs




I use The Plant List for all my plant nomenclature. You can copy and paste a Latin Plant name such as
Melocactus matanzanus into the The Plant List Search box to see synonyms, the author's name and additional information


James

Hi James,

very nice picture of both the Aloe dichotoma and some big chunks of what looks like petrified wood if I am not mistaken...
My A. dichotoma start off from about a 4" tall seedling in 2008 and is now about 3-3.5' tall. It is about to go into the ground so I hope that will help it grow a little faster. It had a companion but that stayed wet too long in its pot one year at around 2.5' tall, I still have the top 8 inches or so and having trying to get it to re-root, but it has not so far, but has shown an incredible ability to still look somewhat alive...

mcvansoest said: ............... very nice picture of both the Aloe dichotoma and some big chunks of what looks like petrified wood if I am not mistaken...

Thanks Thijs. Yes that is petrified wood.

............... My A. dichotoma start off from about a 4" tall seedling in 2008 and is now about 3-3.5' tall. It is about to go into the ground so I hope that will help it grow a little faster. It had a companion but that stayed wet too long in its pot one year at around 2.5' tall, I still have the top 8 inches or so and having trying to get it to re-root, but it has not so far, but has shown an incredible ability to still look somewhat alive...

Thank you for posting that valuable information, Thijs.

James

Baja_Costero said:Spectacular trunk and flowering plant there, James ................

Thank you Baja

.......... Jen, regarding the use of aloe vera gel... I always cut a fresh piece as needed (we have lots of plants here and there is no way to run out of leaves). They seem to discolor and age kind of fast once they are cut. My suggestion would be to allow the plant to "store" the gel and harvest it when you need to use it. Be aware that many plants sold as aloe vera are misidentified, so you may want to confirm the name of your plant before use ...............

Good information there, Baja.

James