#vanbalenii

[icanstoptomorrow]

Here's something fun that has neighbors dropping by periodically for visual updates: Aloe vanbalenii, pushing out her first bloom stalks ever. Four of them! I'll post some other pictures that demonstrate how she earned the name Twisted Sister.

Also, have a looksy at Brother Aloe 'Hercules' in the back. He's super jel because she won the contest "Who Can Bloom First."

I just climbed in there to see if he was working on a bouquet of flowers (which he's not), and it made me realize that he's taller than I am now by several inches! He's almost 6 feet tall! I can't wait until he starts multi-branching out and gets all "too cool for school."

P.S. I just measured Aloe vanbalenii and from tip to tip (if I uncurled them), she's about 6 feet wide. But girls don't like to win that contest. No one does really. No one.

[icanstoptomorrow]

I acquired this sea monster, Aloe vanbalenii, when she was a timid 8 inch long kitten. And ever since, I’ve shown her way too much love in the way of water. In fact what I need to do is deprive her of it and torture her with thirst and sunstroke… that is, if I want her to stress-out and show her true colors this summer (deep reds and oranges)… and I do, I do.

I just went out there and measured her from tentacle to tentacle. She’s a menacing 4 feet wide! I don’t know if anyone else has ever experienced this, but I swear she’s not just growing—she’s actually moving closer towards the front of the yard! Maybe to grab one of the mischievous children who pass by each day? Anyway, I’ll try and prove that she’s making tracks with some older/newer photo comparisons one day soon.