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| A misty morning did not make for the best photo. The proteas were gorgeous. There was many small types and also the well known large pink one. |
Aloe haemanthifolia between proteas and fynbos, South Africa |
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We had a very exciting
invitation to see the rarest of aloes - Aloe haemanthifolia - and their natural
habitat. This aloe grows high up in the mountains mostly in crevices of cliffs which also
gives it the necessary protection against anybody who would like one for some reason. |
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| A misty morning did not make for the best photo. The proteas were gorgeous. There was many small types and also the well known large pink one. |
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The rain filtering through the leaves on the ground color the water like tea but I would not advise anybody to drink it! There are many different kinds of leaves in that tea. The water is very acid which is what most proteas like. |
| I would not expect an aloe here anywhere near. Although I know that Aloe plicatilis grows just around the mountain more to the west in the Cape Town area. Aloe plicatilis likes slightly acid to neutral soil and does very well in winter rainfall gardens. | |
| Aloe plicatilis is a tree aloe with fans instead of the usual rosettes. It would seem that Aloe haemanthifolia is a large fan without the trunk. Aloe plicatilis grows much lower down than Aloe haemanthifolia and in a larger warmer habitat. Aloe plicatilis does not mind water but unlike Aloe haemanthifolia it grows in a frost free area. |
| This photo does not give the real impression what these aloes looks like.
Most of all not what Aloe haemanthifolia looks like. The thin
stiff leaves are large, at least a foot long (30cm). I would have passed this
plant thinking it is a Lilly of sorts. (The flower would give it away - if you are
that lucky! ) Good news for the colder wet countries. e.g. Canada, UK and Europe. This aloe is for you ! I have contacts for Europe and the UK contact me via my web site |
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| The popular and beautiful large flower of this well known protea species. In the magazine photos of a cat next to flowers the cat sits upright as if it is a porcelain ornament, but I had to put the flowers on the floor and bribe the cat the sit next to the flowers. He will not make it to the front page. |
| Aloe haemanthifolia is being cultivated by tissue culture in the Netherlands. Anybody interested contact me via my website. |
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