Wholesale Aloe

01.
A Bit of Botany

a bit of botanical information about aloe

description
Aloe ferox, a member of the Xanthorrhoeaceae family, are succulent plants formerly belonging to the Lily family, with perennial, strong and fibrous roots and numerous, persistent, fleshy leaves, proceeding from the upper part of the root, narrow, tapering, thick and fleshy, usually beset at the edges with spiny teeth. Many of the species are woody and branching. In the remote districts of S.W. Africa and in Natal, Aloes have been discovered 30 to 60 feet in height, with stems as much as 10 feet in circumference.

The flowers are produced in erect, terminal spikes. There is no calyx, the corolla is tubular, divided into six narrow segments at the mouth and of a red, yellow or purplish color. The capsules contain numerous angular seeds.

common names
& nomenclature
Origin of the name "Aloe" is uncertain, but some suggest that it is derived from: the Arabic 'alloch' or 'alloeh', a vernacular name for medicinally used members of the genus.

Also known as:
cape aloe, bitter aloe, red aloe, and tap aloe

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for aloe

Aloes are indigenous to East and South Africa, but have been introduced into the West Indies (where they are extensively cultivated) and into tropical countries, and will even flourish in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing aloe

climate
Aloe ferox prefers full sun, dry-tropical climates, and open areas.

soil
The plants grow best in well-drained, sandy-loamy soils with moderate watering.

growing
Aloe ferox plants are propagated mainly from seed and head cuttings, with plants sowed approximately one 3 feet apart. From seed, it takes about 4 to 5 years for the plants to reach the first harvest.

harvesting
The fleshy leaves of the true Aloe contain a row of fibrovascular bundles near the epidermis or outer skin. The cells of which are much enlarged and filled with a yellow juice which exudes when the leaf is cut.

When aloe juice collection is desired, the leaves are cut off close to the stem and so placed that the juice is drained off into tubs. This juice thus collected is concentrated either by spontaneous evaporation, or more generally by boiling until it becomes a gel of the consistency of thick honey. On cooling, it is then poured into gourds, boxes, or similar containers.

preserving
The aloe gel can be stored as a gel or it can be dried into a powder and stored in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story

aloe history, folklore, literature & more