You've got the true. real-deal Aloe vera, which can only be second-handedly confirmed because its originating habitat is lost to the mists of time, although it's thought to be in the Horn of Africa / Arabian Peninsula area.

While you're treating it quite well, I suggest that a sip of water in the winter, once to twice a month, isn't out of place in the conditions you have it in during that time. When you do so ensure that the temp's staying around 10C for the next 8 hours or so. They don't stop growing in winter, though they can be induced to slow to a crawl - as long as you've gor suitable conditions for keeping it growing, and you do, I say 'Use 'em'.

And your summer conditions are great, too - in fact, it's like a primer for how to do the Aloe, in less than 500 words.

Interesting about the pups' spotting - my true A. v. doesn't do this, and while it's usually an indication that spotted pups are the imposter A. v. (A. v. 'chinensis'), once again it ain't necessarily so.

Thanks for the quick response. I do want to water it a bit more, however, as you can see from the current picture it's leaves are splayed out a bit, probably due to the lack of light. In the summer it closes up and reaches for the sun.

I do monitor the thickness of the leaves with watering also, but I think you're right it should receive a bit more water. My cacti get the same regiment in the winter, just a hint of water part of the way through the winter to maintain some root structure. It has been prolific with pups this year, and surprised that it is flowering while pupping so much.

I wanted to post this also because I couldn't find much information on getting the Aloe to flower in Canada... So now there is some more information out there for others.

Do you get your Aloe Vera to flower in BC?

It flowers irregularly, oddly enough. Skipped last year but flowered the year before, its first time.

Lots of Aloes would flower here, it's just getting them old enough in an unfavourable climate, most of the time, to do so.

Where are you located? We have a few folk here from Ontario, a wonderful Nova Scotian, an occasional Quebecois, but no one from the prairies or territories. Nunavut is heavily underrepresented as well.

Kottr

Very nice plant. I believe you posted about it some time ago?

Located in Ontario.. I can understand the underwhelming representation from the colder parts of Canada lol.

I did Rina, thank you.. Was just waiting for the right time to post, which was when it was flowering of course!

I remember your post from before, and the very nice looking aloe even then. Great that it is flowering.

Would you mind posting a closer, front-lit photo of the leaves? I've never seen a real A. vera before.

Nice! And great to see another Canadian on here!!

If the sun hits it today I will Pagan.

Thanks Crenda, yours looks quite healthy! I suspected the spotting was a juvenile trait.

Thanks for the photos! I like them better without the spots. More umph, less frill.

Many Aloes start out spotted, losing them as the plant matures. Some retain spots, for example Aloe maculata. "maculate" means "spotted or stained".

Thank you so