Aloe x ‘Doran Black’ when it arrived on 8-27-20, #742-3.
Aloe x ‘Doran Black’
The genus, Aloe L., was named and described as such by Carl Linnaeus in the first edition of the first volume of Species Plantarum in 1753.
As of 11-28-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online by Kew lists 578 species in the genus. Aloe is a member of the plant family Asphodelaceae with 41 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.
Aloe x ‘Doran Black’ was hybridized by Dick Wright and named for the late nurseryman Doran Black. One website said it is a complex hybrid involving Aloe albiflora, A. bakeri, A. descoingsii, and A. juvenna but most say the parentage is unknown. That is more likely true…
THERE ARE A FEW LINKS AND GROWING RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING.
Aloe x ‘Doran Black’ at 2 1/2″ tall x 5 1/2″ wide on 10-6-20, #746-4.
I received this Aloe x ‘Doran Black’ from Succulent Market after Nico Britsch said he would send me plants if I mentioned his site on my blog. Who could resist an offer like that. I selected five plants and they came in great condition and were good-sized plants in 4″ pots. They arrived on 8-27-20 but I didn’t get a post ready until October 6. I normally measure my cactus and succulents when I first bring them home and again when I move them inside for the winter. On October 6, the nice cluster of Aloe x Doran Black’ measured 2 1/2″ tall x 5 1/2″ wide. It reminds me of the unlabeled plant I brought home a few years ago I eventually wound up calling Aloe x ‘Wunderkind’. There are many hybrid miniature aloes available that look very similar.
To read my post about Succulent Market click HERE.
There is barely anything about the Aloe x ‘Doran Black’ on the internet except for online shops selling it. Mature sizes and hardiness zones vary almost from site to site. Some say 12-20” tall but that is ridiculous. This is a miniature hybrid and likely will only reach 4-6” tall. I think 6″ is stretching it a bit but time will tell…
Aloe x ‘Doran Black’ on 10-6-20, #746-5.
The Aloe x ‘Doran Black’ sent up a flower spike a few weeks before I brought the plants inside for the winter on October 15 (2020).
<<<<2021>>>>
Aloe ‘Doran Black’ with a 13″ flower stem on 8-17-21, #826-8.
The Aloe ‘Doran Black’ has done very well over the summer and one of the plants has a 13″ flower stem.
Aloe ‘Doran Black’ at 3″ tall x 6″ wide on 8-17-21, #826-9.
The two larger plants are 3″ tall and the two together are 6″ wide now. One of the larger plants in the pot died, but the smaller one is still going strong. So, there are still three plants in the pot.
Well, this Aloe did fine but died over the summer in 2022…
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Family: Asphodelaceae
Origin: Hybrid
Zones: USDA zones 10-11 (30 to 40° F/-1.1 to 4.5° C)
Size: 4-6″ or thereabouts. Not sure yet…
*Light: Light to part shade.
***Water: Appreciates normal watering during their active growing period in the spring and early summer then again in autumn. Water sparingly during the winter months. They are summer dormant but still grow somewhat.
**Soil: Needs fast-draining soil. I used to amend my potting soil with additional grit and perlite but started using 50/50 potting soil and pumice
Aloe and their cousins are some of my favorite plants. They are very easy to keep as companions as long as you follow a few basic rules. Even so, there have been a few I have had ups and downs with but eventually, we get it figured out, or at least we agree to disagree. Normally, it has something to do with water. You can’t lump all succulents in the same category when it comes to care because many are very unique in their preferences…
Aloe and their cousins are considered a summer dormant/winter growing species but for me, they seem to grow pretty much year-round. I read where Aloe hybrids don’t go dormant and whether the species are summer or winter dormant depends on where they are native. Personally, I think most Aloe will grow year-round if given the opportunity but I am no expert. For me, I think they do most of their growing while outside from May through mid-October, but most show no sign of being dormant while inside for the winter. Their growth does slow down while inside over the winter and I pretty much withhold their watering to a little once a month if necessary. I am keeping the Aloe x ‘Doran Black’ on the shelf in the cool bedroom over the winter and then it will go on the front porch for the summer.
You can read my Cactus Talk & Update and Cactus & Succulent Tips to get my opinion about growing cactus and succulents.
I hope you enjoyed this page and maybe found it useful. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, I would like to hear from you. Please click on “like” if you visited this page. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. 🙂 You can check out the links below for further reading. The links take you directly to the genus and species of this plant. If you see I have made an error, please let me know in a comment or email me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com.
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