Aloe microstigma / 5 seeds (Cape Speckled Aloe)

Extremely beautiful and one of the most floriferous aloes in South Africa, Aloe microstigma is an evergreen perennial succulent that usually grows solitary or forms small clumps of lovely rosettes of blue-green leaves that feature prominent white spots that beautifully contrast with the reddish marginal teeth. Leaves can turn reddish brown if suffering from environmental stress. There are also longitudinal lines through the leaves. These lie flat at first, but arch upwards with age. Young plants are stemless, but older ones develop a short decumbent stem up to 50cm tall and 10cm wide. This stem is usually covered with old leaves. Several unbranched around 3 feet tall spikes of flowers are produced by this aloe, with red buds later opening to orange and yellow-orange flowers. This bi-color look of the flowers resembles candle flames and cheer up the dull winter landscape. However, in some types buds and flowers may be uniformly red or yellow in color.

The epithet microstigma is of Greek origin and means small spot thus refer to the small spots on the leaves.

Aloe microstigma can withstand long periods of drought, but you can water it weekly in summer and once a month or not at all in the winter. Although it’s drought-tolerant, this plant thrives and blooms more profusely when watered in the right season. But make sure you use filtered water as Aloe microstigma is very sensitive to mineral content and pH of tap water. Also, since its leaves and roots are full of water, any excess water can cause root rot.

You’ll have to remember that Aloe microstigma is not cold tolerant and frost can easily damage flowers. If you live in areas where temperatures often drop below 2-degree C and if you grow your plant outdoors, you should move it indoors in the winter. But the plant doesn’t like extremes. It needs partial shade if the summer is too hot or else its leaves will burn.

Aloe microstigma is also deer resistant. The flowers are full of nectar and hence attract birds and bees. It’s virtually disease-free, although you may have to watch for aphids, aloe snout beetle and scale insects. These can be successfully treated with systemic pesticides.
The best propagation method for Aloe microstigma is through fresh seeds. seeds are black and up to 2mm in diameter, and are produced in abundance. They have inconspicuous wings and are dispersed by wind. Small dayflies can lay their eggs in the seeds and later larvae live off the seeds.

An interesting adaptation shown by the plant is that the rosette of leaves helps keep the plant cool, because the upper leaves offer shade to the lower ones. Also, the inward folding of leaves during the summer months helps to protect the younger and softer leaves from high temperatures. Leaves unfold again once cool weather sets in.