Two possibilities: Could be growing two heads and branching in the middle, though very very rare for this species, or aloe mite, which includes symptoms of unusual growth at areas of new and rapid growth. Its very hard to tell if your aloe has mite because its spines look nearly the same at this stage. For now, i'd keep it away from your other aloes until we know exactly what it is. Remember, it could be perfectly healthy and normal.

Could you clarify: "because it's spines look nearly the same at this stage". What does this mean? :) thanks

Aloe mite, or aloe cancer looks like mini spines or leaves during early stages.

Huh. Gross!!

I've had the aloe for almost 2 months...it's my only aloe at this time (unless my two unidentified new plants are aloe/hybrids - but they have been quarantined *nowhere* near the Christmas Carol). Is it likely that aloe mite would be just showing up now?

edit - correction. I also have aloe aristata but it has a whole other issue going on and it's not aloe mites :)

Looked at some photos of aloe mite on new growth, and it seems to dwarf and 'bunch' the new growth ... Mine appears to have normal growth, albeit doubled :) I'll have to wait it out and see how it develops. I wish this wasn't such a slow growing plant! Eeesh!

Update pic... Looks like it's pushing the pup out on a stem, almost.

It could possibly be a flower spike that decided to make a plant instead of a flower. I love the color and distortion of the spines on many of the new aloe hybrids. Some of the leaves are so distorted on a few varieties that they are really hard to distinguish from Aloe mite as mentioned above. I have avoided most of these (more distorted) clones for that reason. I have too large a collection to worry about new mites. For my money I believe variegated Aloe arborescens is the most prone to Aloe mite. I have resisted destroying my clone but am having 2nd thoughts as it seems to never go away completely. Mite damage can sometimes be beautiful in a morbid sort of way.

I took a picture of this infestation I cleaned up recently.

Oh mah gawd! Looks like my veggie drawer when I forget to clean it out before going on holidays LOL

Bill, I've never seen an Aloe goiter so colourful - that's like all of the squash put together. A 'Silence of the Lambs' offset if I ever did see one (it's awful but you can't look away). Share this in the Aloe Underground, pretty please. Tell 'em you got it at the most recent Show.....

If this were a cactus everyone would be saying it's only cool because he grafted it. Got to admit I kept this a couple days before I threw it in the dumpster.

What did you treat the infected Aloe with?

Razor cutting tool. Have used Safer with sulfur before. Didn't get around to squirting it this time.

Update :) this plant is sure loving the sunny south windowsill, and the switch to gritty mix.

Pup-on-a-stick getting larger, and pretty certain that the main rosette is pushing an inflorescence :D

Absolutely blooming :D and looks like it may be sending *another* pup out from the centre ... There are also 5 pups around the base.

Kd

pretty plant!

The bloom is now spent, and the second pup situation is looking like it may actually be two new pups from the crown. This thing is prolific.

It's a beautiful plant! I am very partial to red. And that IS a prolific pupper!

(My plants look thirsty. Every year when the rains stop, I forget to start watering.)

I guess time will tell what happens in the middle of my plant. I've had bulbils on an inflo and plenty of pups around the bottom. This is a first in the middle. I always enjoy the unusual!

Thanks for the update!

I forgot to say I love your 'Pink Blush' aloe, too! It's top of my wish list :)

maybe I should have left the inflo - I may have gotten pups!

The strange things the KG hybrid aloes do at times very cool

Here's a progress report on that Pink Blush. Most of the leaves have been absorbed and there is one big leaf left. I have a little clump of about 10 pups. (Please ignore the grass clippings! LOL)