#vanbalenii

Here's something fun that has neighbors dropping by periodically for visual updates: Aloe vanbalenii, pushing out her first bloom stalks ever. Four of them! I'll post some other pictures that demonstrate how she earned the name Twisted Sister.

Also, have a looksy at Brother Aloe 'Hercules' in the back. He's super jel because she won the contest "Who Can Bloom First."

I just climbed in there to see if he was working on a bouquet of flowers (which he's not), and it made me realize that he's taller than I am now by several inches! He's almost 6 feet tall! I can't wait until he starts multi-branching out and gets all "too cool for school."

I acquired this sea monster, Aloe vanbalenii, when she was a timid 8 inch long kitten. And ever since, I’ve shown her way too much love in the way of water. In fact what I need to do is deprive her of it and torture her with thirst and sunstroke… that is, if I want her to stress-out and show her true colors this summer (deep reds and oranges)… and I do, I do.