One final aloe bloom post for spring 2016

The aloes along the street started to bloom almost a month ago. While they’re not quite done yet, it’s just a matter of time. Usually the bloom only last four or five weeks.

This year was the best display yet. That’s why I want to share these photos with you. I took them last week during a break in the rain. Since then it’s rained every day—something I’m sure these winter-growing aloes are enjoying.

Aloe ‘Moonglow’

Aloe cameronii

Aloe ferox

Aloe ‘Moonglow’

Aloe ‘Moonglow’

 

Aloe ‘Moonglow’

Aloe ‘Moonglow’

Aloe ‘Erik the Red’ (left) and ‘Moonglow’ (right).

The flower spikes of Aloe ‘Erik the Red’ started out perfectly vertical but they’re so heavy this year that they have flopped forward to the point where they are almost horizontal now

Aloe ‘Erik the Red’

Aloe ‘Erik the Red’

Both Aloe ‘Moonglow’ and Aloe ‘Erik the Red’ are complex hybrids from the breeding program of South African grower Leo Thamm. Check out the huge selection of aloes hybrids his company, Sunbird Aloes, has released in South Africa.

Aloe-Aloe Horticulture Pty Ltd. is distributing Leo Thamm’s hybrids in Australia. Aloe-Aloe’s web site has about a dozen aloe-related videos that are well worth seeing.

With just a few exceptions (including ‘Always Red’, ‘Erik the Red’, ‘Moonglow’), none of these hybrids are available in the U.S. I’m hoping that somebody will introduce more of these stunning bloomers to the U.S. I think they have the potential to become very popular in California and other parts of the country where winters are mild enough.