http://faq.gardenweb.com/discussions/2765911/how-do-i-care-for-my-aloe-vera-plant "Many aloes produce 'pups'. When the pup is fully formed, detach it from the mother plant, let it callus over for a few days in a cool, dry area, and pot it up. If it has roots, pot as you would a regular aloe, allowing for the fact that it is smaller and should be in a suitably sized pot for its size. If it has no roots, let it callus over, place the cut/broken end ON the soil, and support it with top dressing. DO NOT WATER IT-it has no roots, so watering the soil will likely cause rot. Instead, mist it every few days. Roots should start forming within a month. When growth is evident, it can be watered."

It is a hybrid of aloe and gasteria, Gasteraloe, probably 'Flow' I have one that got similar - not as etiolated as yours (see some pace between the leaves - that could be from being in same position too; thickness of the stem and the color of leaves); but as it aged, stem got bit too long. It grows quite well and compact, but got top-heavy with growing thick, juicy leaves and many offsets, some growing in-between the leaves. I just beheaded it few days ago. Here is the plant before:...and after - top on left, and 3 offsets:I am leaving them to callus for a while. They will go into very gritty mix (mine is very inorganic), and will be kept dry for a while. I'll keep them in partial shade since it has been extremely hot, until they start growing roots. They would grow roots even out of soil, I am not 100% sure since I didn't behead it before) but am very comfortable to suggest it - 99% sure :). I will likely keep at least 1 unpotted just to prove it :) They will grow just like aloes - see - THIS THREAD - where I showed beheaded Aloe variegata. There are many posts with photos by other members in this thread showing other plants being beheaded. Bottom part - original/beheaded stem with roots - should continue growing and having offsets too. Btw, I would recommend for you to improve soil - it seems to be somehow water retaining: I never has so many dried up leaves with black spots. Very likely from occasional too much water or soil staying too wet for too long. That could be improved on very easily :)

Dear Baci, I guess it's a matter of semantics. Thanks to another GWer, I saw your pics. Yep, those are pups, but you've also got a bit of stem on the end of the leaf. This allowed the pups to grow. My idea of a leaf cutting is just that - a leaf with no stem tissue on it. As you probably know, you can grow plants from the Aloe's relatives, Haworthias and Gasterias, from true leaf cuttings - even an 1" cutting from the end of a leaf is enough. I've not grown Aloes as you have, but that's an interesting way to do it. I'd just have to be careful to ensure there is stem tissue there so the pups will propagate.

Your Aloe will be much happier if you mix 50% Perlite in with 50% soil. It will drain better, not retain as much water and won't compact around the roots. Also, it is better for the plant to be dry rather than wet. When in doubt, don't water. ; ) Maybe it's my eyes, but I don't see anything wrong with your plant. You have probably realized that you should ease your plant into the sun so it doesn't burn. It's kind of like your first time getting a tan in the spring. All at once and you will burn. (well, maybe that is just me! LOL) The plant can change color in the sun. Some show quite red, other brownish. Here is an example of 2 Aloe vera plants, one getting much more sun. Both are healthy. And these Aloe juvenna really looked dry and crispy, but they weren't. It was just the hot and dry autumn weather. I think your plant will be fine. Change the soil and look at the roots at that time. Then ease it into the sun. Everyone will be happy!