* Aloe Vera ‘babies’ that is.
I remember a nursery rhyme from my childhood, the first couple of lines read:
There was an old lady who lived in a shoe, she had so many children, she didn’t know what to do.
And so it is at Cosy Cottage, okay, this is a little house and not a shoe (Thank goodness as I don’t think even the guinea pigs could fit in one).
And, yes, okay, these are not human youngsters.
They are plant ‘babies’. Aloe veras to be precise.
Aloe veras reproduce like rabbits.
My first aloe vera, given me by Simon, ironically died. Even more ironically as he claimed I couldn’t kill this plant as they didn’t need much watering.
But he persevered, giving me another. I now realise this wasn’t of the goodness of his heart but because he had a surplus of the fleshy succulents which needed rehoming.
And this aloe vera thrived, maybe a little too much as she decided to have a ‘baby’, and then another, and another.
There appears to be no ‘father’ but there are plenty of young aloe veras, and now I have lost count of how many there now are and they all need new homes.
New pots at any rate.
Facts of the Day
1. Aloe Vera is a succulent and an evergreen perennial. Its leaves are fleshy and thick.
2. It is found in products such as skin lotion, tissues, traditional medicine (as a skin treatment), drinks, ointments and cosmetics. It is used as a moisturiser.
3. There are records of the use of aloe vera from the 16th century BC (Ebers Papyrus).
How interesting! This sounds like a challenge as I have so car manage to kill each and every indoor plant left in my case, despite all my good intentions…😉
LikeLiked by 3 people
I actually killed my first aloe vera by accident, it turned brown and died. My second aloe certainly made up for it! I’d recommend an aloe vera as apart from my first one, they seem pretty tough. 🙂
LikeLike
I may have to try one. I finally have a south-facing window in my home so should have better luck at keeping indoor plants alive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And it is great for burns. Some of us are more clumsy in the kitchen than others. I usually keep one around but sadly my last one died. Not the greenest thumb for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m going to move some of my aloe ‘youngsters’ into the kitchen, it sounds like it would be a handy place for them. My first aloe vera died but my second has made up for that. 🙂
LikeLike
You might be on to something here! Perhaps you could sell them via wholefood store/organic market outlet? Or a garden market? With little cards attached giving some ideas on how to use the gel from the leaves. Maybe you will go on to make your millions that way 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great idea Amanda! 🙂
LikeLike
I currently have five aloe plants and just two of them have babies. I usually repot them once a year then give the babies away once they are established. I use aloe in one of my soap recipes – it makes a really nice shaving soap. Once in a while I give my plants a drink of diluted coffee – they love it. I just have to be careful not to get it on the leaves – only in the soil. A year or so ago I remember on of the bloggers I follow writing a post about making aloe soup. It was interesting because I had never thought about eating it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would never have thought about eating aloes but then again, until recently, I never realised just how useful they are. The more I learn, the more I see them as wonderful plants. I must make more use of mine – and start giving them diluted coffee. That’s a good tip. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to read that everyone should have an aloe plant to have handy – especially handy in the kitchen because if you burn yourself and grab one of the aloe’s “arms” and break it open and swab the juice directly on the burn, it will heal it quicker, especially if it is a burn from a pot, or a stove. They used to say that butter was good for burns, but I think they’ve changed that thinking. They look very healthy so you’re doing something right Clare!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great idea. I think I’ll repot a couple of the baby veras and relocate them to the kitchen. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, then if you burn yourself accidentally, just break it open and put right on the burn. I know you can buy aloe vera gel just for the same purpose and some people use the gel for sunburns as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love aloe vera. We use it on sunburn and it’s so soothing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard they’re good for the skin but I’ve never done anything about it. I must make more use of them! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, I have included your blog in INTERESTING BLOGS in FRIDAY FOSSICKING at
https://thatmomentintime-crissouli.blogspot.com/2019/01/friday-fossicking-18th-jan-2019.html
Thank you, Chris
Loved the fun of this, by the way, do you have all varieties… I have a few spares!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Chris. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it. I think it’s just one variety as I only had the one to begin with (bizarre to think as I have so many now!) I have heard there are various types, but I just think of mine as aloe veras. Imagine if I started collecting various aloe veras, they might take over my home completely! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beware, they are sneaky and multiply when you least expect it. Always good sellers at markets…maybe a sideline for you?
LikeLiked by 1 person