x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’

Gasteria carinata var. verrucosa x Aloe Hybrid?

Gasteria sp. x Aristaaloe aristata?

gas-ter-AL-oh

The parents…

Gasteria carinata var. verrucosa (Mill.) van Jarrsv. is the correct and accepted name for this variety of Gasteria. It was named and described as such by Ernst Jacobus van Jaarsveld in Aloe in 1992. It was first named and described as Aloe verrucosa by Philip Miller in the 8th edition of Gardener’s Dictionary in 1768.

Aristaloe aristata (Haw.) Boatwr. & J.C.Manning is now the correct and accepted scientific name for the other possible parent. It was named and described as such by James S. Boatwright and John Charles Manning in Systematic Botany in 2014. It was first named and described as Aloe aristata by Adrian Hardy Haworth in Philosophical Magazine and Journal in 1825.

Some information says x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ is the result of a cross between Gasteria carinata var. verrucosa x Aloe (hybrid). Some also say Gasteria x Aristaloe aristata (syn. Aloe aristata). Hmmm… How about Gasteria carinata var. verrucosa x Aristaloe aristata?

I bought my x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ in 2016 but I can’t remember where I bought it. There isn’t much online about this plant so I am not sure what to write about it. Imagine me being at a loss for words…

THERE ARE A FEW LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING.

The x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ is a really neat and tidy plant. All those white specks are sticking up making the leaves feel kind of like sandpaper.

Although this plant looks like it had a rough summer it is doing very well. Looks like a few crickets gave the leaves a sample.

I measured the plants after they were brought them inside for the winter on October 17, 2017. x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ measured 4″ tall x 6″ wide. Every year when I bring the plants inside, there is always at least one pot the ants have settled in. this year it was the x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’s’ turn.

<<<<2018>>>>

The x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ is doing very well overwintering on a table in my bedroom. The window faces the south so the cactus and succulents on the table (and under it) get plenty of light. I didn’t notice the red speck on the leaf until I looked at the photo. I went to see what it was and it was just a piece of red lint. WHEW! I thought it was some kind of bug for a minute!

All the potted plants were once again back outside for the summer when the above photo was taken on May 17. They were all glad to be back outside in the fresh air.

I had to move most of my potted plants to the front porch on July 4. The plant tables and potting table were next to a shed under a Chinese Elm tree. When we had the Japanese Beetle invasion the whole environment changed. The beetles were beginning to sample the plants and there were dead leaves everywhere. So, I just moved the plants.

The four offsets were getting pretty cramped when the above photo was taken on July 29. I am either going to have to remove them or put the whole clump in a larger pot.

The x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ continues to do well on the front porch.

On September 13 I decided to repot x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ and remove the offsets.

Now we shall see how they like that. 🙂

I had to move the plants inside for the winter on October 10 because an “F” was in the forecast. I took photos of all the plants as I brought them inside.

<<<<2019>>>>

When temperatures warmed up enough I moved the potted plants back to the front and back porches. They all made it through the winter well and are glad to be outside.

I was delighted to see x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ has started to flower… The first since I brought it home in 2016.

Getting taller…

 

The x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ looking good among friends on June 16.

I was very busy during the summer and didn’t get to take many photos of the x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ and her flowers. They were almost all gone by the time I took this photo on June 22.

Next thing I knew it was time to move the potted plants inside for the winter because an “F” was in the forecast. I always take photos of all the plants and measure the cactus and part of the succulents. The x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ measured 5 1/2″ tall x 10 1/2″ wide. Its offsets are STILL only doing fairly well. I guess I should have left them all together…

<<<<2020>>>>

I had to bring the potted plants inside for the winter on October 15 because an “F” was in the forecast. As usual, I took photos and measurements. ‘Flow’ did very well during the summer but when I measured the plant it was a little smaller than last October 11. It measured 5 1/4″ tall x 10″ wide this time. Sometimes I think it depends on where you put the tape measure and how you read it. Old leaves die and new ones grow which can also make a difference.

The offsets I removed last year didn’t work out so well, but she has new ones now. I will not be removing them… At least until they are much bigger than before.

<<<<2021>>>>

The x Gasteria ‘Flow’ has done very well over the summer and measured 5″ tall x 9 3/4″ wide on August 17 in 2021 when I took the above photo. I normally take photos and measurements when I moved the plants inside for the winter in October.

<<<<2022>>>>

Unfortunately, the x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ I had since 2016 had a mealybug infestation over the winter and didn’t make it. BUT, I found a new one on May 6 in 2022. There were several bigger plants in combination planters (which I didn’t want) but I found a smaller plant in a pot by itself. The plant was unlabeled, but I think it is probably an x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’. Until I realize I am mistaken, I am going with it…

I moved the potted plants inside for the winter on October 16 in 22. The new x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ grew an inch taller and 3/4″ wider and measured 4″ tall x 4″ wide. It really doesn’t look like the old ‘Flow’, but time will tell.

<<<<2023>>>>

Even though there was no “F” in the forecast until October 30, it was going to be a rainy week so I moved the potted plants inside on the 23rd and 24th. Time for photos and measurements… 

The x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ did very well during the summer on the front porch despite the heat and drought. It measured 6 1/2” tall x 6 3/4” wide when I moved it inside for the winter.

USEFUL INFORMATION:
Origin: Hybrid between Gasteria and Aloe
Zones: USDA Zones 9a-12
Height: 6-8”
Light: Sun to part shade. Well, I grow my Aloe in light to part shade because I don’t like them burning in too much sun.
Soil: Average, well-drained soil. Potting mix with extra pumice (50/50) or a 2-1-1 mixture of potting soil, additional perlite, and chicken grit.
Water: Average water during the warmer months and not much in the winter.
Dormancy Period: Although summer dormant, they will grow somewhat. They grow mainly during the spring and autumn months and a little in the winter.

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 they are summer or winter dormant depends on where the species 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. 

 When you bring your new plants home from the store, you need to check their roots and the soil to see if they are wet. If so, you may want to re-pot it right away. It is advisable to re-pot them in a better potting soil more suitable for cactus and succulents. Always check for critters that may come home with the plants and keep an eye out during the winter months… 

You can read my Cactus Talk & Update and Cactus & Succulent Tips to get my opinion about growing cactus and succulents.

I really enjoy the x Gasteraloe ‘Flow’ as a companion and will continue adding more photos and information as time goes by.

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. There isn’t much online about this particular cultivar, but the links below may help you to grow yours successfully. If you see I have made an error, please leave a comment. You can also email me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com.

FOR FURTHER READING:
THE NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION
GARDENING KNOW HOW
WIKIPEDIA