skip to main content

Cacti & Succulents

Help! My Aloe plicadilis won't branch anymore

10 years ago

Does anyone know why my formerly-prolific Aloe plicadilis has stopped branching? When I first got it as a single fan, it quickly grew several new branches. My AP is now about 6 years old and beautifully healthy, but has not given me a new fan in three years. The central trunk just seems to grow longer. Thank you for your help. -Gigi

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

xerophyte NYC
10 years ago
I think they branch after they bloom...so has your plant flowered in the last 3 years?
rosemariero
10 years ago
Do you grow your Fan Aloe in the ground or in a pot? That may have something to do with it. How many branches do you have now? Do you have a pic you can show us? Not that it will help me determine the reason why. Mine bloomed in March. As X asked, did yours bloom in the past 3 yrs.?

Interesting item I just found: the Latin word 'plicatilis' meaning "foldable" is in reference the fan-shaped rosettes (although the leaves don't really fold).

I don't think mine has put on any new branches, but then, I don't count them. Would have to go compare pix from year to year. Maybe I'll do that. :P

{{gwi:519476}}
Related Discussions
Starbucks won't give coffee grounds Bay Area
Q
Comments (23)
The mold happens when they put the coffee into those foil bags and leave it out for too many days. This problem could be solved by only making the bags to order or storing them cold. The policy is they don't want people bothering them for grounds when it may interfere with the busy traffic of people buying coffee drinks. We don't pay for the grounds, so the grounds are moved to the low level of "unprofitable and therefore unimportant." This is what is wrong with the whole corporate model. The only way to change this would be for us to pay a small amount for the coffee grounds to upgrade them to a purchase. Right now, I am looking into independent stores rather then have to hassle argue and it all bend out of shape. If I find a good local coffee place that will give grounds. I will post it back here. The compost information sheet may be a good idea, but if they are really determined to never give them again such as the Westlake branch. I don't think showing the sheet will change their minds. The worse experience was at the Westlake branch. I went it there years ago, asked for coffee grounds. They said, they did not have any. I said, I would go to Walgreen's and come back so I did. When I came back, they said, we threw them out. I was so mad, I did fill out a complaint form and never heard back for corporate for such rude behavior. I used to buy a lot of coffee and mugs from Starbucks. I used to buy the black apron coffees, but they started to change a few year back and all the coffee beans were old, so I don't actually buy from Starbucks anymore. In the Starbucks hey day, I used to get coffee drinks, but now I am trying to cut down on caffeine and stomach acid caused from coffee. I used to like the Buena Vista Coffee from Costa Rico and the Coffee with the Elephant on the label that was grown in a special acid soil, and they don't have those anymore not for at least three years. I might buy them again if they would bring those back and if the beans were fresh. Pikes Place is horrible coffee. Sorry to go off topic, I just wanted to explain why I hardly ever buy things at Starbucks anymore.
...See More
Aloe w/dead spots mid-branch
Q
Comments (9)
The slug bait from stores works great. I used it when slugs and snails were eating up my senecio patch in the ground. Just sprinkle it around, and make sure you get it wet by watering or misting so the snails eat it. Then come out the next day and find the culprits dead on the spot. It is a bit sad to see them all dead though, considering snails are very cute
...See More
My aloe plant isn't really green anymore
Q
Comments (14)
Sorry, but Aloes DO NOT prefer shade. I specifically mention the former San Diego home of Cactus McHarris who kept his entire Aloe collection out in all day, full on So. Calif sun. They colored up significantly & did beautifully; having seen them in person I can tell you they were gorgeous & bloomed too. HoovB, that's a helpful explanation abt interpreting the behavior of the leaves, so thanks, useful info to learn. Lena
...See More
Won't go to Lowe's any more
Q
Comments (39)
I’m not going to change my expectations just because someone or a group of people don’t live up to them. And, I don’t necessarily think the ethic of our generation was or is any better at that pay grade. It kind of comes with the territory because the motivation levels to do well are simply non existent. That is unless of course, one can get excited about a new accomplishment pin for their vest or a nickel raise. I think when it comes to generations, they have a tendancy to repeat themselves. We complain about this generation just as our parents and grandparents did about us, our music, our work ethic, our desire to be less traditional and more independent. Eventually, in many ways, things worked out and us “older folk” caught on. Eventually, (hopefully sooner than later) this generation will catch up to us as well though it may take longer because this newer generation seems to have values that are more traditional, ie less materialistic, more into education and not as anxious to marry and have a family. Amazon is taking credit for the large shift in the way we shop, but I don’t think it’s souly for the convenience. Their customer service is amazing, especially for an online service and it’s not by accident. As these big box stores are forced to shutter their doors, they have no one to blame but their highly paid “show me the money” executives who put their own greed before their employees and good business practices.
...See More
gigikhoo
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for the replies!

Mine has 5 branches from central truck. These 5 branches have produced 9 fans. It is in a container and blooms for me reliably every year. But no new fans for at least three years now. I moved a couple times within the same city, and it had one nasty winter when it was quite wet for months on end. But even so, it has always looked great. And ideas on how to jumpstart it? -gigi
aloebot
10 years ago
The picture brings 2 thoughts to mind. Is this grown in full sun? Looks a little etoliated. I would also check the health of the roots. Too much watering and these will waste away. My plant in the ground looks pretty horrible from late summer through the fall. I don't water during this time unless the leaves are almost totally limp. It pumps right up again when we get winter rains here in Socal. Less water and more light makes these more chunky but they won't look pretty and green for part of the year.
gigikhoo
Original Author
10 years ago
It only gets sun for half the day. I live in Marin county, north of San Francisco, and we get warm days followed by cold foggy ones. I will take your advice and water less, maybe I have water-damaged roots? It is in the sunniest spot I have, so unfortunately I can't boost the light . Thank you for the reply.
rosemariero
10 years ago
Did you have 9 fans 3 years ago? Every time you have a new fan, your branch forks, making a new branch. So, you should have 9 branches now...some smaller than others. Are you trying to get an additional branch to grow from the main stem? If so, I don't think there's any way you can make it do that.

I would also recommend less water.
gigikhoo
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes, 9 fans for the last few years. I would be pleased with new fans in any location. :-).

Related Stories

LIFE You Said It: ‘Put It Back’ If It Won’t Help Your House, and More Wisdom

By Becky Harris

Highlights from the week include stopping clutter from getting past the door, fall planting ideas and a grandfather’s gift of love

MOVING Relocating Help: 8 Tips for a Happier Long-Distance Move

By Laura Gaskill

Trash bags, houseplants and a good cry all have their role when it comes to this major life change

LIFE Hard Winter? 9 Ways to Battle Cabin Fever

By Becky Harris

We know a lot of you are trapped where it just won’t stop snowing. Here are some ways to survive

HOLIDAYS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Christmas Tree!

By Mary Jo Bowling

How lovely are your branches? Post a picture and share your stories

ARCHITECTURE The Bay Window Goes Modern

Square tubes, cantilevered cubes, mixed glass ... new plays on bay windows are boldly branching out in modern architecture

GARDENING GUIDES Get on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)

By Matt Kilburn

Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that aren’t even as good. Here’s how to give your soil the best while lightening your trash load

HOUSEKEEPING What's That Sound? 9 Home Noises and How to Fix Them

By Mitchell Parker

Bumps and thumps might be driving you crazy, but they also might mean big trouble. We give you the lowdown and which pro to call for help

LIFE 6 Tips for Teaching Your Kids to Be Good Neighbors

By Alison Hodgson

Everyone wins when your children learn to respect boundaries, get help when they need it and show others they care

BUDGET DECORATING 14 Ways to Make More Money at a Yard Sale — and Have Fun Too

By Laura Gaskill

Maximize profits and have a ball selling your old stuff, with these tips to help you plan, advertise and style your yard sale effectively

GARDENING GUIDES Garden Myths to Debunk as You Dig This Fall and Rest Over Winter

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Termites hate wood mulch, don’t amend soil for trees, avoid gravel in planters — and more nuggets of garden wisdom

Sponsored

KP Designs Group

50 Reviews

Franklin County's Unique and Creative Residential Interior Design Firm

More Discussions

Free plants or cuttings

5

jade plant pruning

6

21 year old Jade Plant 4ft tall Pruning Repotting Questions Concerns

3

Easter Cacti in bloom

4

Hens and chicks - help needed

10