A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum Mystery Plants? Can anyone tell me what this plant is ?

Hi,

A while ago i was given a little shrivelled up shred of a plant that had fallen off its parent plant. The parent plant died, I think.
I was told that its parent plant had come from Spain.

I potted it up and it grew into a fair houseplant.
I have no idea what it is, i call it 'Spanish plant'
Some people have said its a type of 'aloe'

Here is a picture, Regards John :)

Here is another attempt at a picture ...

I will have to see if i can find the instructions for adding a picture ...

I dont think it is possible to upload a picture here.
I think you have to upload it somewhere else,
then link to it.

But i might be wrong.
It wouldn't be the first time.

I will see if i can find some kind of host.

John :)

Hi,

I think ive got this right.
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I will try to post a more up to date picture.

John :

You got it right. I also think it is some kind of aloe. There are dozens of varieties. So I won't venture a guess as to which one. It obviously likes your care.

Hi John,
Your Aloe Vera needs more bright light...
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/aloe~vera.html
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/pixpg/aloeverapix.html

Hi,

That took too long.
I am looking for another image hosting site,
cos 'Photobucket' takes too long.
Way way too long.
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I have here hopefully, posted a more up to date picture.
And hopefully someone will recognise this curious plant.

If required, close-up pics could be posted.
If i can stand the dragging age that photobucket takes to load.

Cheers, John :)

Oops! Its not Aloe Vera,but I can't think of the exact variety right now. It is definitely an Aloe though...

Aloe arborescens!
Candelabra Aloe
He looks MUCH nicer now!

Hi Tina,
Hi Wild Willy,

Thank you for your replies.
I dunno how long Photobucket takes for you,
but for me it takes ages.
I had two replies waiting for it to deal with one picture.
I am looking for another image hosting site, Photobucket take so long,
its not upload speed, but they do something that takes a long time.

I am not sure about it being an Aloe, although it does look a bit like it.
I think its a bit spindly, or leggy more than an aloe.
And the leaves seem spaced differently to any aloe ive seen.

I do think it may be some kind of succulant, but it doesn't seem to want
much watering at all.

Maybe the newer picture will give it a name?

John :)

Hi Wild Willy,

Just seen your last reply.
Candelabra Aloe.

Ive been looking on Google images at pictures of the Candelabra Aloe,
and yes, this does look like a version of Candelabra Aloe.

Havent found one yet with stalk showing between the leaves,
like this one, with lengths of stalk between leaves.
But this is certainly the closest ive seen yet.

I will carry on looking through the Candelabra Aloes in Google Images,
and i may find a version which is just like mine.

Cheers, John :)

I am absolutely positive that it is Aloe arborescens

Yes, i think you are probably right,
I have found a picture on:

http://www.angelfire.com/ca7/sierratses/houseplants.html

called a "South African Candelabra Aloe"
which looks very much like mine.

What do you think ?

Cheers, John :)

Yes, the second picture is more like it. Much easier to tell the plant type. I have at least one of these myself.

Trying to pin down a name for this plant has taken a very long time,
thank you all very much for your help.

I shall bite the bullet, and call it a:
"South African Candelabra Aloe"
which i think sounds very posh,
and i may give it a slightly bigger pot with maybe a support stick.

Regards, John :)

If you let it become a bit root bound, it will start to produce new offset stalks and branches.
Brighter light will make it grow in a more condensed form. (not as far between leaves)
Never move up more than one size pot at a time.

Thanks Willy.

John :)

The plant looks in better shape than the earlier one you posted.

It's good to have an aloe with a lot of growth - you can break pieces off, keep them in tin foil, in the fridge - the pulp is useful for healing scabs, burns, etc.