First, anyone that uses those shipping methods doesn't know what she's/he's about re succulent plants - one would never, ever ship an Aloe in that manner. The next time you're in San Diego, I'll direct you to multiple clumps of A. saponaria that you can have for free.

It might be a result of the increased sun. Can you post a pic of it?

I've moved the aloe out of the sun at your hint and have taken four photos, but can't figure out how to upload them. What's the secret?!

Here are the photos, I found instructions for uploading, sorry for the newbie faux pas!

Here is a link that might be useful: Aloe saponaria

Nope, it's still asking for a sign-in at shutterfly.

You probably can figure it out better than I can explain it (I'm a reforming Luddite) but here's a link on posting.

Here is a link that might be useful: Post The Aloe Lest It Go Hollow

Never give up!

Here is a link that might be useful: Dying Aloe saponaria

Nope, still don't have the secret decoder.

Please try that link one last time; I've confirmed that permissions are set to allow all visitors to view the page. As I look at the photos, it's difficult to see the deterioration, but trust me, it's there. The outer leaves have begun to discolor slightly and are somewhat depressed (from the usual full appearance).

It's still a no-go. Get it out of the soil and set it aside for a few days - that certainly won't kill it. See if it's a little happier when it's dry for a few days.

Your second link worked for me.

I would say it looks more like sun damage than water damage. Those leaves will probably stay discolored, but as long as they don't start to rot, it shouldn't be a problem. I can see some good, healthy new growth in the center, so I think your plant will be just fine. It does want a fair ammount of sun, but gradually acclimate it to the increased light over the course a couple of weeks.

I'm glad you can see it, Josh - I tried a different browser and it still doesn't load, although there are no apparent Java Script updates to upload.

marietta68, your aloe looks fine to me. The change in color is normal. I have several aloe maculatas (=saponaria) in the sun, and they turn a greenish copper color.

Your plant looks fine to me too. Just a bit of a "suntan." Many of my aloes take on brownish/greenish coloration when I put them out in summer, then revert to green when wintering indoors. There are some that do stay green, even outdoors, though.

It's always a bit of a conundrum for me. I think the "tanners" look nicer green, but I know the time outdoors is good for them.

Thanks very much to all of you. Taking everything into consideration, I'm going to back off the sun a little and treat this one more like my A. vera instead of the A. brevifolia and A. variegata, both of which adore as much sun as I can give them with my limited exposure. I've concluded that even if the outer leaves show signs of stress, the observation of the inner leaves showing growth (and healthy condition) is valid. Thanks again for helping me through my panic!

Can anyone tell me why, when I tried to view the photos, I was told I needed to have Java Script enabled, but when I checked my browser's settings, and the Java Script is enabled?

Ty,

jh

Rather, the message says that the JS failed to load correctly - I've rebooted since I last tried to view the photos.

Ty again

I can usually solve problems like this by Googling the exact error message I've received. In this case, I found a reference to a problem on the Shutterfly website. There was a suggestion that the user visit the Java website to download and install the latest version. It couldn't hurt! Restart your computer after and let us know if it worked.

Georgia Peach,

Thanks for the tip - I hadn't thought to do that, but will.

Hi Marietta,

I agree, I see nothing wrong w/ your Aloe either. If it's about the coloring, that IS from the sun & not a problem, unless its exposure to strong sun wasn't gradual.

For the future, pls. be assured that overwatering damage to Aloes look more like softening &/or mushy leaves & sometimes blackening leaves, but the tell tale sign is SOFT, MUSHY. Your appears nothing like that.

My great Aunt (the matriarch of my family & the last one from Europe) was named Marietta. Not a name I see too often, but brings back cool memories for me. Do you know there's a Marietta, Georgia?

Oops, I see your IN Georgia, bet you HAVE heard of Marietta, GA -- never mind!

Hi Jeff,

Pls. try again or from elsewhere; I'm able to see the 2nd link on my home computer. Not the most powerful set up here at home, but now on highspeed rather than the Dial Up I had when last you knew.

Pirate Girl, thanks for your detailed observation; the photos simply do not reveal the damage that I can see with my eyes, but you're right, it's not soft or mushy...I jumped to the conclusion I did because of how the aloe arrived (saran-wrapped in a wet paper towel), but now suspect my environment is sunnier than its original home. I didn't follow up with the seller because my confidence was destroyed when I opened the box!

Also, I do live in Marietta, GA and my name is Anne! My screen name is gender-neutral which was a safe thing when I first started using it on the internet almost 20 years ago! There's also a Marietta in Ohio, but I do think it's an intriguing name for a woman.

Thanks again for your good observations and advice.

Hi Anne,

Funny abt Marietta, OH, I hadn't heard that.

I'd put feedback at that Seller, but that's just me & I don't use EBay at all or even shop online.

FYI: to anyone for whom this is not obvious:

Anyone transacting in Aloes or other fleshy leafed succulent who is shipping their plants wrapped in wet paper toweling & Plastic Wrap doesn't know their A** from their elbow & I would stay well away.

That'd be the fastest way to ensure the recipient would receive a pile of wet & rotting MUSH that I can think off. Proof the Seller has absolutely no clue!

How anyone dealing in succulents doesn't know that it's best to ship DRY, bare root, rolled up in newsprint DRY & open to air (no plastic wrap or sealing-in type materials) is beyond me!

Anne, I completely understand your confidence in the Seller being shaken when you opened the box -- I'd go back & tell them so, on the off chance they don't know better - yikes.

From here, it looks like a nice plant to me! I hope it recovers well.

Annie and Karen,

I tried all of those things, and more, and I still am getting a 'The JS for this page failed to load correctly.' message, but in the end, it doesn't matter - we've got you the right proper advice and it looks like you've avoided a fatality and are poised for full growth.