Can someone ID this Aloe for me please?

[countrydudeuk]

I have been given this little baby this morning by a neighbour. This is an offset from a much larger parent plant. I think it's an Aloe but haven't a clue beyond that. Any positive IDs would be appreciated! Also, would it be safe to plant it out for the summer in my succulent bed or wiser to keep it in a pot in the gh? It isn't in a pot as such at the moment.

[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/c ... IM1031.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/c ... IM1032.jpg[/IMG]

[B.A.]

Just a guess but looks abit like A.distans.

[Acid John]

How about a aristata hybrid?

[countrydudeuk]

Thanks guys. Just checked out both on Google, and I think the aristata hybrid wins it just! I'm quite confused because I have just studied a few images of them both and I really can't decide for sure. The teeth on distans however seem more pronounced, whereas on my plant, they are very soft along the leaf edges. If it's an aristata hybrid is that the X between aristata and variegata?

[MikeT]

What about just plain aristata? If so, it's actually hardy if given reasonably well drained compost

[Aloenut]

Marty,

There is a form of Aloe aristata doing the rounds called 'Cathedral Peak'. It is more robust with wider leaves than the usual form. There is an opinion that it could be a hybrid with Aloe polyphylla but this has yet to be proven.

Aloenut

[Paul in Essex]

It does look like Aloe aristata 'Cathedral Peak'. There is a Gasteraloe (sp?) called 'Cosmo' that is very similar but larger. Both are excellent plants and hardy here outside so far given good drainage. The rosttes get BIG - 'Cathedral Peak' will get 9", 'Cosmo' nearer 12" if fed and watered well.

[Julie]

Aristata! That's it!! Thank for reminding me. I keep seeing them in CG's about 6cm high, and wonder will they end up huge, and don't get one.

How large do they grow?

[countrydudeuk]

Thanks for all of those thoughts guys, but now I'm more confused than ever! So it could be an Aristata, aristata 'Cathedral Peak' or a Gasteraloe 'Cosmo'?!

I have potted it up for now and will probably plant it in my succulent bed in due course. I can definitely see the attraction of plants like Aloes, Agaves and Haworthias. I love the architectural quality, the shape of the leaves and the (especially in the case of agaves) the weaponry! Think I might have to make room for a collection of these plants too!

[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/c ... IM1050.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/c ... IM1051.jpg[/IMG]

[Julie]

Oooh, the one I saw in the GC was not like yours, it was lighter and more blue, had only spikes on the edges of the leaves, and the leaves were very much fatter (this might not tell much, other than it was in wet peat!)

So either I misremembered the name of it (it was definitely Aloe a....) or someone mixed up the labels, or Marty's plant is not aristata.