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Aloe ???

Gardening Reference » Gardening in 2004
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by MyArk on October 21, 2004 12:52 AM
I'm not certain that this is the correct place to post my thread...if not please excuse the error...wasn't certain if here or the Herb category was the place.

I just cut into my large aloe vera plant, the largest variety I've ever grown. The leaves are 2"-3" at the base, and about 12" in length. This is the first time that I've needed it in a couple of years.

The juice is bright yellow! The odor is nasty! Never had this problem before. Always before the plant was smaller, juice nice and clear, and odor very "green".

I'm growing the plant in a terra cotta pot in sand and gravel. Use a catus fertilizer on it about twice a year. Very little water, except for natural rainfall, as it's outside from spring until nearly frost. The plant is looking better than any I've grown before. It did get sunburned early in the spring this year, but I didn't use that part of the plant. The leaves are nice and plump now, and a medium green color. It's starting to put out babies.

Is it safe to use, or are the differences just due to variety?

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MyArk
by Newt on October 22, 2004 09:43 AM
Hi MyArk,
Apparently the yellow stuff that you see is called aloe latex. "Aloe latex should be used carefully, if at all." Take a look here.

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1046.html
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/aloe.html

Newt

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When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.

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