I keep aloe vera near the kitchen stove. If I get a burn -and think about it- I snip off the leaf near the base and just squeeze it. I don't think I'd try to keep any of the gel in advance of actual use. I actually find cold tea bags better for the burn. The growth rate will vary due to the usual reasons: variety of plant; availability of appropriate nourishment and water; sufficient sunlight; size of pot; etc. Having said all that, I divided my 24" tall plant last fall and just stuck one of the babies into a little pot that better fit onto the window sill. It was less than an inch tall at the time, with about a half-inch of root. It is now about 8 inches tall, has 8 leaves, and has made several babies. Apparently it is a happy plant, but I'm going to have to sit down and discuss birth control with it.

I believe you are over-thinking. In my experience, the growth rate of any of my aloes isn't affected by the bloom spike, so I would just let it bloom its heart away. There's no real benefit in cutting it, but you at least get a beautiful bloom to look at by keeping it on the plant. Also, I don't believe the distance at which you cut the leaves will make any difference either apart from aesthetic considerations. If the look of partial leaf stumps will bother you, then cut it down closer to the base, otherwise, cut as you will. Sometimes, I will cut half a leaf and come back to cut the rest days later. The aloe leaves you cut will never regrow. The plants will continue to produce new leaves from the center, and eventually those will be pushed outward by more new leaves, and you can harvest those as you will. Good luck!

Below is a link (hope it works) to my aloe vera - or just a very small section of it in my garden. Countless pups have been removed to give to other people who ask for it. If you decide to take it internally, start off with very small dosages, and gradually work your way up to the recommended dosage. However, see the warning below about internal use. When it says 'powerful laxative and purgative' it REALLY means it! Definitely do NOT administer to children. Medicinal Uses: The sap from inside the leaves can be applied directly to ulcers, burns, sunburn, radiation burns, skin cancers, wounds, poison ivy stings, acne, oily skin and dandruff, and fungal infections. It aids in healing wounds by drawing out infection and by preventing infection from starting. The fresh gel is best to use, rather than Âstabilised gels found in the stores. Internally it is sometimes used as a laxative and a general tonic. It is also to treat amenorrhoea, asthma, inflamed or diseased breasts, bursitis, colds, colic, conjunctivitis, constipation, coughs, dysmenorrhoea, dysentery with bloody stools, ear infections, eye problems, fat and sugar metabolism, fever, gonorrhoea, heart pain, haemorrhoids, hepatitis, herpes, infant pneumonia, insomnia, intestinal worms, jaundice, kidney disorders, enlarged liver, menopause, rheumatism, skin inflammations, skin rashes, sores, sore throat, enlarged spleen, toothache, tuberculosis and other lung diseases, tumors, ulcers, chronic vaginitis, venereal diseases. See Warning. Other Uses: The gel is used as a tree wound dressing. Mix the juice of 1 leaf with about 600ml water for a healthy plant spray. So it's not called the First Aid Plant for nothing! Warning: It is not advised to take Aloe Vera internally, especially if pregnant or breast-feeding, when menstruating, or if suffering from haemorrhoids or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It is a powerful laxative and purgative. Here is a link that might be useful:

While your plant is an Aloe, I don't believe it is an Aloe vera. There are Aloes that have stems like your plant. Unfortunately, I am not good at identifying them. LOL You might try Googling Aloe plants and look at the different images. Hopefully someone here will recognize your plant.