Aloe Vera

From the family Lilaceae/Aloeaceae

There are between 250 and 350 species of aloe around the world. They are originally native to the arid areas of Southern Africa. In cultivation they need a frost-free environment. Aloe has been valued at least since the 4th century BC when Aristotle requested Alexander the Great to conquer Socotra in the Indian Ocean, where many species grow.

Species

Aloe Vera (barbadensis)

Half-hardy perennial. Grown outside: ht 60cm (2ft), spread 60cm (2ft) or more. Grown as a house plant: ht 30cm (12in). Minimum temperature 10°C (50°F). Succulent grey/green pointed foliage, from which eventually grows a flowering stem with bell-shaped yellow or orange flowers.

Aloe arborescens 'Variegata'

Half-hardy perennial. Grown outside: ht, spread 2m (6ft). Minimum temperature 7°C (45°F). Each stem is crowned by rosettes of long, blue green leaves with toothed edges and cream stripes. Produces numerous spikes of red tubular flowers in late winter and spring.

Aloe variegata

Partridge-breasted aloe Half-hardy perennial. A house plant only in temperate climates. Ht 30cm (12in), spread 10cm (4in). Minimum temperature 7°C (45°F). Triangular, white marked, dark green leaves. Spike of pinkish-red flowers in spring.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

A temperature of 21 °C (70°F) must be maintained during germination. Sow onto the surface of a pot or tray and cover with Perlite. Place in a propagator with bottom heat. Germination is erratic - 4 to 24 months.

Division

In summer gently remove offshoots at the base of a mature plant. Leave for a day to dry, then pot into 2 parts compost to 1 part sharp sand mix. Water in and leave in warm place to establish. Give the parent plant a good liquid feed when returning to its pot.

Pest and Disease

Over watering causes it to rot off.

Maintenance

Spring: Give containerized plants a good dust! Spray the leaves with water. Give a good feed of liquid fertilizer.

Summer: Remove the basal offshoots of a mature plant to maintain the parent plant. Re-pot mature plants if necessary.

Autumn: Bring in pots if there is any danger of frost.

Winter: Rest all pot grown plants in a cool room (minimum temp 5°C (40°F); keep watering to the absolute minimum.

Garden Cultivation

Aloes enjoy a warm, frost-free position - full sun to partial shade - and a free-draining soil. Leave lm (3ft) minimum between plants.

Harvest

Alt leaves throughout the growing season. A plant of more than 2 years has stronger properties.

Container growing

Compost must be gritty and well drained. Do not over water. Maintain a frost-free, light environment.

Medicinal

The gel obtained by breaking the leaves is a remarkable healer. Applied to wounds it forms a clear protective seal and encourages skin regeneration. It can be applied directly to cuts, burns, and is immediately soothing. Rumor has it that the US Government is building up stocks for use in the event of a nuclear disaster.

Cosmetic

Aloe Vera is used in cosmetic preparations, in hand creams, suntan lotions and shampoos.

Bugle

Also known as Common or Creeping Bugle, Bugle Weed, Babies Shoes, Baby's Rattle, Blind Mans Hand, Carpenters Herb, Dead Men's Bellows, Horse and Hounds, Nelson's Bugle, Thunder and Lightening and Middle Comfrey. From the family Labiatae.

The bugle found in Britain is a native of Europe. It is frequently found in mountainous areas and often grows in damp fields, mixed woodland and meadows. The Bugle of North America is a species of Lycopus (Gypsy Weed). Among the many folk tales associated with bugle is one that its flowers can cause a fire if brought into the house, a belief that has survived in at least one district of Germany.

Species

Ajuga reptans

Bugle

Hardy evergreen perennial. Ht 30cm (1ft), spread up to lm (3ft). Very good spreading plant. Blue flowers from spring to summer. Oval leaves are dark green with purplish tinge. It is this plant that has medicinal properties.

Ajuga reptans ‘Atropurpurea’

Bronze Bugle

As Ajuga reptans but Ht 15cm (6in), spread lm (3ft). Blue flowers. Deep bronze/purple leaves.

Ajuga reptans ‘Multicolor’

Multicolored Bugle

As Ajuga reptans but Ht 12cm (5in), spread 45cm (18in). Small spikes of blue flowers. Dark green leaves marked with cream and pink.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seeds

Sow the small seed in autumn, or spring as a second choice. Cover only lightly with soil. Germination can be slow and erratic.

Division

This method is easy and the only one suitable for cultivars as Bugle produces runners, each having its own root system. Plant out in autumn or spring. Space 60cm (2ft) apart, as a single plant spreads rapidly.

Pests and Diseases

Nothing much disturbs this plant!

Maintenance

Spring. Clear winter debris around established plants. Dig up runners and replant in other areas. Sow seeds. Summer. Control established plants by digging up runners.

Autumn: Sow seed, dig up runners of established plants, pot on, using the bark, peat compost, and winter in cold frame, or replant in garden. Winter. No protection needed unless very cold -20°C (-6°F).

Garden Cultivation

At close quarters bugle is very appealing and can be used as a decorative ground cover. It will grow vigorously on any soil that retains moisture, in full sun, and it also tolerates quite dense shade. It will even thrive in a damp boggy area near the pond or in a hedgerow or shady woodland area. Guard against leaf scorch on the variegated.

Harvest

For medicinal usage the leaves and flowers are gathered in early summer.

Container growing

Bugle makes a good outside container plant especially the variegated and purple varieties. Use the bark, peat mix of compost. Also very effective in hanging baskets.

Culinary

The young shoots of Ajuga reptans can be mixed in salads to give you a different taste. Not mine.

Medicinal

An infusion of dried leaves in boiling water is thought to lower blood pressure and to stop internal bleeding. Nowadays it is widely used in homeopathy in various preparations against throat irritation especially in the cast of mouth ulcers.

Other uses

In some countries it is gathered as cattle fodder. ink cartridges-rock republic jeans