I bought two of those at Home Depot this past winter and decided to combine them (too many plants/not enough room)So I took them out of the pot, bought a bigger pot that would fit both of them and re potted them together, they didn't make a fuss at all. as a matter of fact they both had new growth within a few weeks after repotting and they weren't at all root bound. My sister in law just wacks hers off at the top, as far down as she desires her plant to be and sticks the cut off part in the dirt and gets more plants that way. Her stem seems to be a lot thicker than mine and maybe that is due to the whacking she gives it a few times a year.

I'd like to get this thread started again--have an A. plicatilis that was in the ground growing pretty well for 7-8 years, though it has been looking a bit scraggly the past six months or so. I thought it was mealybug infestation, which is a constant problem here with aloes, and have been trying to control those (and the ants that herd them around). Plant was about 2 feet tall with four main stems, each of them divided into two or three smaller stems (10 fans of leaves altogether). My gardener knocked it over when trying to remove old leaves, which was actually a lucky thing because then I was able to see that the roots are black and soft and the whole plant was loose in the ground. So I have cut off the branches, which seem very firm and free of rot, and am just leaving them outside on a table in the shade to root. My question is, should I cut each individual branch with its fan of leaves into a separate cutting, or is it okay to root a bigger branch that includes 2-3 smaller branches? And one more question--should I not water this aloe at all in the summer (once it's rooted and in a pot or the ground again)? Is summer watering always a bad idea for this species? I have tended to water it deeply once a month or so when the weather is dry. It was planted in rather heavy soil. Other areas of the garden have much better draining soil. Thanks a lot for any guidance! Loolie

Hello, my friends! Yes, I promise that I'll return these in better condition than I received them.... and, yes, they'll have all their parts! Nancy, I see you remembered the "low rent" quip, as well! All in good spirits, I assure you! ;) It's nice to be able to laugh at it, now...but I seldom forget an insult so boldly faced - and, obviously, I just couldn't let it go. That's life, eh? Thanks, JoJo! So you see my influence in the design? You could say that I've been pretty instrumental in the growth of these Jades. My sister's boyfriend re-potted them a while ago, so I can't take credit for that.... although I did turn him away from Peat Moss and toward bark-based and gritty mixes. Xuan, there is that saying, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." These Jades have been indoors in a small kitchen window, starved for light all summer long. I am truly amazed that they have as much color as they do. The reason for the leaf-size and the coloration is that this is a special small-leaf variety that develops a nice, deep purple hue. Mike, not only do you have this variety...you have a cutting from this *EXACT* plant.... ;) it was the cutting I sent that already had roots. This variety grows quickly and has a habit of growing adventitious roots from many different nodes. It's also somewhat of a drooper if not pinched/pruned often. Thank you for the kind thoughts, and for stopping in! Here are a few previously posted pics of the plant, from November 28, 2008 (almost two years ago!). As you can see, this baby's come a long way! Josh

Patty- thanks for telling of your experience with these various roses. My Fireopal and Jolie are pretty winter hardy but South Africa isn't. Strange how that works. Fiji is struggling too but I potted it up and it's growing much better now. We have had such a cold spring and crappy cool summer here I think it wreaked havoc with my roses. We've only had a couple of days in the low 90's. I loved it but my roses haven't so very little growth or flowers, even on the roses that don't seem to be affected by rose midge. My best Kordes performer by far is Honeymoon Arbor rose. I have a Florentina band that's growing really well. No flowers but I really didn't expect any. Another band that is growing really well is Tequila Supreme. I've had several flowers on her. Hopefully she's winter hardy. I never had heard of Heart Song. What a stunning rose. Sharon