Aloe Ferox: [Cultivation, Care, Irrigation, Substrate, Pests and Diseases]

The aloe ferox represents a sort of characteristics very similar to the aloe vera we all know.

Its texture is almost identical and it has a series of similar planting conditions, such as being able to adapt easily.

Being originally from Africa, it has a predilection for hot climates and it is not a problem if it is located in full sunlight.

So if you are looking for a plant with exceptional characteristics like this one, pay attention to all the information that we have gathered for you.

Important points when planting Aloe Ferox

When? In spring or summer.
Where? In full sunlight.
How do we prepare the land? With rocks and, if it is very clayey, adding a little sand to it.
How should we water? With little amount of water, only the necessary to moisten the ground a little.
How often do you have to water? In summer, up to twice a week. In winter it is not necessary.
What pests and diseases does it have? Very resistant to all kinds of pests or diseases.

Characteristics of aloe ferox

Aloe ferox has unique properties and creates an exotic atmosphere at home. The plant belongs to the large succulents, capable of reaching a height of three meters.

The leaves are thick and massive, and the peduncles reach 80 cm. The flowers of this variety of aloe are bright, orange or red. Tubular flowers are especially good when the plant throws multiple brushes at the same time.

From other types of aloe, this variety is different not only in size. Its juice has a high bitterness, the color of the leaf can be swampy and even brown. The plant is used for medicinal purposes , and therefore it is grown especially in plantations.

At harvesting, the weight of a single leaf can reach 2 kg.

When to plant aloe ferox?

In spring or summer .

Although it is a species that is able to withstand the winter cold, it is not advisable to place it in such unfavorable conditions at the beginning.

In addition, it must be considered that from the moment the seeds are planted until the seedling is obtained, it can take up to six months.

Where to plant aloe ferox?

Aloe ferox should be kept in direct sunlight as it recreates its original ecosystem.

It is not necessary to protect it against changes in temperature because it is able to adapt to the highest temperatures in summer and also to the cold of winter .

How to prepare the land?

Conditions for aloe ferox to grow properly include a rocky environment and preferably low humidity.

This means that you can prepare a space within your garden where to establish it.

It is a species that will also tolerate very well being near walls, fences, even between bushes, as these are part of its natural environment.

It is necessary to take care that the soil is not excessively clayey, since those with a sandy structure are better for it.

As for the pH , the acids will work well for it, although as we have said it is a very adaptable species and could also settle in alkaline.

How do we water the aloe ferox?

The risks will be established according to the time of year that is being crossed, since being a desert species it is not especially demanding with this issue.

During the summer it is advisable to keep the space hydrated , but without getting close to flooding.

In fact, when there are rains, this amount of water will be more than enough to give it the humid environment that it needs.

In the case of winter seasons, watering becomes unnecessary and it is best to suspend it until the weather is warm again.

How often do we water?

In summer, the waterings can reach up to twice a week depending on the degrees of temperature that exist.

This frequency will be reduced to a weekly in autumn , until generating an absolute suspension in winter.

How to sow aloe ferox step by step?

The sowing of aloe ferox will be done by means of selected seeds . This is a method that works well because, in fact, it is its natural way of multiplying.
To achieve success, it will be necessary to comply with the following procedure:
Prepare seedbeds with universal substrate and a little river sand to improve drainage.
Place the seeds at the rate of two or three per seedbed and cover them with sand.
Moisten the substrate so that the water penetrates to the bottom to give the seeds a humid environment.
Maintain this constant humidity process while they develop and germinate.
Wait for the seedling to acquire sufficient size and strength to proceed with the transplant to a pot or, failing that, to the prepared area to establish it permanently.
Part of the fleshyness that aloe ferox plants develop in their leaves is due to the moisture they manage to absorb from the environment.

Hence, it is so important to keep the spaces sufficiently hydrated in the first stages of growth.

What care does aloe ferox need?

As it is a wild type plant and is projected endemically in Africa, it is common to think that the fertilizer is not applicable in your case.
The reality is that it can survive without it, but giving it a layer of compost during the growing and flowering phase will go a long way.
As with many other species, this is an action that will generate benefits to optimize its growth.
On the other hand, the number of leaves that aloe ferox usually develops is limited, as well as the fact that it comes from a single stem, so pruning is not necessary.
In case you are looking to remove a leaf to use it for its medicinal properties, for example, you have to be careful with the cut . This will prevent the plant from wilting due to damage to its structure.

What pests and diseases affect aloe ferox?

As in the case of aloe vera, aloe ferox is incredibly resistant to all kinds of pests and diseases.

If we base ourselves on its original reality, it is a species that may never receive care from someone.

However, this reality is not an impediment for it to survive and multiply almost effortlessly.

One of the most striking characteristics of aloe ferox, and that separates it from aloe vera, is that it produces striking orange inflorescences .

However, it has a complex detail in the structure of the leaves that are the pointed teeth (such as aloe vera) with which caution must be taken.

This has led to the name of ferocious aloe in some populations.

This plant also has many medicinal uses and healing powers, especially when it comes to skin damage, such as burns.