PlantFiles: Aloe
Aloe sinkatana

Zone 9b coastal Otago, New Zealand

I bought two seedlings of this species, both making it through last winter without undue stress or bother. However, in this colder than average winter of 09 the larger has succumbed to basal rot and kicked the bucket. I suspect the rot set in during late summer, since it had failed to thrive since then when I think about it, so my heavy hand with the watering can might be to blame rather than the cold. The smaller one's new leaves are a little cold-bitten, tho', so hmm who knows?
Attractive enough aloe, profusely spotty, low set rosette, small red tipped spines, and as previously mentioned, the mother of numerous domestic hybrids. I just cant get excited about it, however- not certain why!
So perhaps watch the water on this one if youre in a cooler zone, or make sure its mounded if planted out. Probably nicer in its adult clumpy grandeur, but not so exciting when small.

Compact plant with short flower stem. Branches below base from root. Growth habit is clustering clump. Brightens nooks and dark corners. Fairly quick from small seedling to flowering plant.

bob
:>)

This is a rather prolific suckerer with the plant looking a bit like a small Aloe vera only with white spots and small spines along the leaf margins. The flowers are quite different, though, coming out in mid winter (at least here in So Cal) and on simple (sometimes branched) stalks topped with a whorl of yellow-green, dangling flowers. This is a Sudan, Africa native.

Must be a good flowerer and reproducer as hybrids with this species are flooding the aloe market, and are all over the botanical gardens.