aloe juvenna

There are many types of aloes, and although there are some that grow as trees several meters high, there are others that stay smaller. One of them is the aloe juvenna, also sometimes called dwarf aloe since, as you can see, it is a perfect plant to grow in pots.

In addition, it is one of the most recommended species for beginners, because apart from sunlight it does not need much more to be able to develop normally.

Origin and characteristics of aloe juvenna

El aloe juvenna it is a species of aloe endemic to Kenya (Africa). It is one of the smallest of the genus, since reaches a height of about 20 centimeters maximum. But yes, it produces numerous suckers. All these stems are more or less erect when they are young, but as they gain height they tend to grow horizontally.

Its leaves are fleshy, somewhat triangular in shape, green with white spots, and with serrated margins. The flowers are grouped in inflorescences, emerging from a stem about 15 centimeters high, although in cultivation it is rare to see them.

What are the care that must be given?

It is a plant that is really not very complicated. Moreover, if you have a rockery in your garden, and in your area there are no frosts or they are very weak, you can plant it there and water it very occasionally. But you can also grow it in a pot.

As the care varies depending on whether it is grown in soil or in a container, let's see what are the basic needs of the aloe juvenna:

Location

It is a crass plant that must be, as long as the climate allows it, abroad. It needs sunlight to grow, and that indoors is sometimes not possible.

Due to its size, it is a species that can look very good in a planter, as well as in a specific corner of the garden with other succulents.

Earth

• Flower pot: it is highly recommended that it be filled with quartz sand or similar. You can also serve peat with perlite in equal parts.
  Of course, the pot must have holes in its base, since if it did not have them, the plant would rot.
• Garden: the soil on the ground of your plot must be light, porous, and must not become flooded. If this is not the case, you have to dig a small hole, about 30 "by 30", cover its walls with a piece of fabric or shading mesh, and then fill it with the substrate mentioned above.

Irrigation

Irrigation must be sporadic. It is very important that the soil, or the substrate in case of having it in a pot, has completely dried before watering the plant again.

When watering, avoid wetting the aloe juvenna, especially if the humidity in your area is very high.

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It is highly advisable to fertilize the plant in spring and summer, since it is in those months when it grows the most. As fertilizers you can use one made specifically for cacti and other succulents, but it is important that you follow the instructions on the container, since otherwise you could run out of plant.

Multiplication

It multiplies by seeds and separation of suckers in spring-summer. Let's know how to do it:

Seeds

Seeds are sown in low, wide potsso that they are as far apart from each other as possible. They must also be a little covered by quartz sand for example. As a substrate you can use black peat mixed with perlite in equal parts, or cactus soil of good quality.

If all goes well, they will germinate in about 10 days as long as the substrate is kept moist (not flooded), and the seedbed is outside and in semi-shade.

Young

The suckers of the aloe juvenna they can be separated from the mother plant soon, when they are about 2-3 centimeters tall. Now, it is preferable to wait for them to grow a little more.

Whatever you decide, you must separate them carefully, so that they come out with roots. It does not matter if these are scarce, as long as I have it, it will be fine. Then, you just have to plant them in individual pots with a substrate that drains the water properly.

Planting or transplanting time

Mid spring to early summer You can plant it in the ground or in a larger pot.

Plagues and diseases

El aloe juvenna it is quite sturdy. But nevertheless, if the environment is dry and warm, it may have some cochineal, but it can be easily removed with a brush soaked in pharmacy rubbing alcohol, or plain water.

Rusticity

From experience I know that it resists weak frosts of up to -2ºC, but if it is colder in your area, it is advisable to keep it indoors until spring. As it is a small plant, it can be had almost anywhere, as long as it has light.

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