I figure you all know these plants by now, and have read my answers to similar questions mamamamannnnny times before, so maybe you could handle this one for me? Best answer, that is also complete and accurate, will win one of our discontinued products. You never know what it will be, but it must be good!
Maybe a water wand, maybe a bird feeder. Hmmm…
So here’s the question and the pictures that go with it.
Dear Sirs,
Recently I got a cactus as a present but don’t know what kind it is.
Could you please help me to detect what kind a cactus it is and to see and tell me weather is it sick (you can see that one leaf Is kind a sick) and what should I do.
Thanks a lot in advance,
Petar
Leave your answer for Petar in the comments between now and Tuesday afternoon, and I’ll pick a winner then. Maybe I’ll have arranged for guest judges too! Well, probably not.
Thanks!
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October 10th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
It’s an Aloe, but not a clue as to the species. The leaf looks like it was resting on the rim of the previous pot, but the injury didn’t progress any further. Petar could remove the leaf if he wants, otherwise the plant looks healthy.
I’d suggest repotting into a soil mix better suited to succulents, and set the root ball higher to leave the plant’s stem clear of the soil. Don’t water for a couple of weeks, let dry between waterings, and make sure the pot doesn’t sit in water in the saucer. Give it a few hours of sun, or within 30cm (1′) under a fluorescent light that’s on for at least 12 hours a day. Good luck.
October 10th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
It’s not a cactus. It’s an Aloe (A. marlothii???). I’m not sure on the species, but it’s an aloe.
It may have gotten too wet. Re-pot in a clay pot with succulent media and a layer of gravel on top.
The dark spot could also be a sunburn, if it was placed in direct sunlight. They need to be acclimated to direct sun when they’re that small.
October 10th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
I think this is a Mountain Aloe. (Julie is right, Aloe marlothii) It’s one of the few really large aloe trees that does great in the shade. There is one at the gas station near my house that is nearly 5 feet wide. (I hadn’t heard about acclimating the young ones in the sun -I will have to try it) I have three, each 1 1/2 foot tall, all in different places in the yard, -the one in the most shade is happiest. This one looks great so far -nice and blue! -The bad spot looks like old slug damage to me,… in which case all you have to do if find the #$%&’er, but from the looks of it he’s long gone by now.
October 11th, 2010 at 7:47 am
It looks like an aloe I purchased from a big box home store a year ago which was labeled Aloe Ferox, so that is my guess. The container/soil is the same as those that are sold in Home Depots in my area (from a grower in Canada). That soil seems like a mixture of sand and manure. I’d shake or tease out most of that soil which shouldn’t be too hard as the roots should be fairly ropey, but be careful. Repot into a cactus mix as suggested above. Clay pot if you can’t help watering like me – or light-colored plastic since it is small – just make sure there is a hole in the bottom in either case. I like the soil line though, but that last centimeter should probably be a top dressing. Cut off that bottom leaf just behind the damage and hold off on watering to let the leaf and roots heal.
If my guess is correct it would take full sun eventually, but start slow as that plant has probably been indoors for some time. Just a few hours of morning sun to start or a situation that received filtered sun throughout the day.
October 12th, 2010 at 6:33 am
Good answers so far. This is going to be tough to judge. The criteria are:
1. accuracy
2. quality
3. seriousness of purpose
and bonus points for:
4. sharpness of mind
I’ve got my theories as to who is ahead at this point, but with the contest still open through today, anyone could come in and steal it!
October 13th, 2010 at 6:53 am
OK, so I’ve picked a winner. Some comments first. It’s definitely an Aloe ferox, or an Aloe marlothii. One or the other. It’s hard to tell when they’re this size.
Repotting is key to the long term survival of this plant.
The one thing nobody mentioned is that losing a bottom leaf is not really a problem for succulents – they all do it. So while it is true that it was damaged because of either slug or sun damage, or overwatering, or being poked with a spine, it’s no big deal. Petar can cut off the damaged leaf, or leave it in place.
And the winner is…. Jules for keeping it accurate and concise. Yay!