Aloe striata x

Aloe striata x

Family: Asphodelaceae
Common Names: coral aloe, aloe hybrid, coral aloe hybrid
Geographic Origin: Aloe striata is native to the dry regions of the South African Eastern and Western cape provinces, occurring at elevations of 800 to 7,300 feet. Although it is difficult to determine the parents of aloe species, cultivated hybrids are usually Aloe striata x A. maculata.
Description: Aloe striata is a rosette forming succulent that grows up to 18 inches tall and 2 feet wide. The broad, flat leaves have distinctive parallel veins, and are glaucous in color, developing a reddish hue under bright sunlight. While true A. striata will possess faint longitudinal stripes and pink margins, hybrids possess soft white teeth along the margins, and usually achieve a larger rosette with a greater number of leaves.
From winter to early spring, a panicle of light coral to dark orange flowers will bloom up to 2 feet above the rosettes. However, the straight species will only develop coral-red inflorescences.
Interesting Features:

A. striata hybrids were first planted in the early 1900s by Professor Francis Summer of the Scripps Institution, who allowed a large population to naturalize along the coastal bluff near the Scripps Institute in La Jolla, California.
The coral aloe is tolerant of urban pollution and deer, and will attract both birds and butterflies when flowering.

Uses: While there are no ethnobotanical uses of A. striata hybrids outside of cultivation, the straight species has been valued as a treatment of leg rheumatism. Heat the leaves in fire or warm ash and apply directly to the legs.

Cultivation and Care:
- Watering: Low

Except under extreme heat or if grown as a container plant, sparse and infrequent irrigation should be provided.
Never allow to remain in standing water, and shake excess water from the rosettes.
Supplemental irrigation may be needed during the hotter months, but should be rarely provided in winter.

- Soil Type: Site in a well-draining, gritty cactus or succulent soil to prevent root rot. A fast-draining potting soil with a 1:3 ratio of sand or pebbles is recommended.

Repotting is seldom necessary, as aloe are slow growing. Only repot plants that have begun to tip over their pots, or that have stopped growing, and always transplant in spring.

- Lighting: Provide full sun to partial shade. The straight species will possess yellowish to pinkish leaves under full sun, and bluer leaves in partial shade. However, hybrids will develop redder rosettes if exposed to strong sun.
- Propagation: Coral aloe hybrids can be propagated by seed, cuttings, and offsets. Although A. striata is solitary and will not produce pups, A. striata hybrids offset freely.

In cultivation, hybrids are usually produced by open pollinated seed.

- Cold tolerance: 20-50°F, USDA hardiness zones 9a – 11b
- Special Accommodations: While the coral aloe is very heat tolerant, it is only frost tolerant for brief periods. Bring indoors during the winter, or on particularly cold nights.

Monitor flowers carefully for signs of aloe mite, which should be eradicated immediately.

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