Knowledgebase

Why did my aloe vera buds die #233662

Asked March 30, 2015, 12:03 PM EDT

My aloe vera has grown beautifully in a pot on my fourth floor balcony in the last year to about 3 feet in some places.  A month or so ago I noticed two large buds at the tips of two stalks.  I was thrilled, I didn't even know they bloomed!  They received indirect morning sun, so I didn't move them and kept up my regular watering routine.

The buds didn't seem to do much until the last 2 weeks.  The buds started to droop, partially open, the tops of the bud dried and turned brown, and this morning I found buds fallen to the ground.  There are no pests present and the rest of the plant seems as healthy as ever.  WHAT DID I DO WRONG???  I am heartbroken that I lost these blooms.  I had other pictures, but somehow only one loaded.  If you need more I can send them again.

I would appreciate any advice or input you can give me.


Regards,

Pepper Murphy

Harris County Texas

Expert Response

Pepper,
From the photo that looks normal for that type of aloe's bloom. They are not that showy and start to finish up and die back from the bottom of the bloom stalk upward.
Sounds like you are doing a great job if your aloe bloomed so continue to give the basic care you've been giving. They do well with minimal watering and benign neglect!
Skip
Robert "Skip" Richter Replied April 02, 2015, 6:40 PM EDT

Skip,

Thank you for your response.  I'm sorry to bother you again, but  I think I didn't explain the problem very well.  It's not that the buds were not showy, I NEVER got to see a flower.  The buds DID NOT OPEN AT ALL before falling.  I'm attaching another picture showing the maximum that they tried to open before falling to the ground.  I don't even know what color they were going to be!

If you have anymore insight to offer, I would really appreciate it.  I'm still heartbroken. 

The Question Asker Replied April 03, 2015, 4:41 PM EDT

Skip,

Thank you for your response.  I'm sorry to bother you again, but  I think I didn't explain the problem very well.  It's not that the buds were not showy, I NEVER got to see a flower.  The buds DID NOT OPEN AT ALL before falling.  I'm attaching another picture showing the maximum that they tried to open before falling to the ground.  I don't even know what color they were going to be!

If you have anymore insight to offer, I would really appreciate it.  I'm still heartbroken. 

The Question Asker Replied April 03, 2015, 4:41 PM EDT
They don't open up in the way you might be hoping. They just open up a little at the tip of the bloom bud. Do a Google image search for aloe blooms and you'll see what various species of aloe blooms look like. They vary in amount of color they have and how far open the small bloom tips will open up.
Robert "Skip" Richter Replied April 06, 2015, 9:31 AM EDT

Loading ...