Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:36 pm
The gasteraloe green gold plant, also known as gasteraloe vera platyphylla, has been in cultivation for over a century as an ornamental plant. Recently it has become more popular as a medicinal plant and the leaves are used to make medicine that treats gastric ulcers.
Aloes have been used for centuries to soothe and heal wounds, but gasteraloe green gold is a new contender in the world of aloes. Gasteraloe green gold has similar properties to gateroloe red, but it also has anti-inflammatory properties that make it an ideal choice for those looking for relief from arthritis or other inflammatory conditions.
In this blog post, we will discuss the history of gasteraloe green gold, its care and propagation tips, and how you can use it in your home remedy arsenal!
Origin and description
Gasteraloes are members of the Asphodelaceae family. This is a small group consisting of about 20 genera, including Aloe and Gasteria. The genus name “Gasteraloe” means belly aloe in reference to its large bulbous storage organ (gastrole) which forms at the base of the stem.
Most members of the family are from Africa and Madagascar, but a few occur in Asia. Gasteraloes were formerly considered to be part of the Aloe genus until they were reclassified into their own group by Karl Krock, who proposed that there was a clear distinction between these plants and those previously classified as Aloe.
The name “Gasteraloe” was first coined in 1917 by the German botanist Kurt Dinter and is associated with species that were formerly known as Gasteria or Aloe.
Gasteraloe green gold propagation
Gasteraloes green gold is easy to propagate by leaf cuttings. Take a healthy mature leaf and remove it from the plant, making sure that there is no damage on its lower side where it will be planted in the soil. Place this cutting on top of some substrate (peat moss) with their basal ends down so they can root easily. This is an easy way to propagate large numbers of plants.
Gasteraloes green gold can also be propagated by seed but this requires some patience as they take between six months and two years before germinating. Use a well-draining substrate, such as coarse sand mixed with perlite or vermiculite (50:50), and place the seeds on this. Cover them with a layer of fine sand to prevent soil from being pushed up into their cotyledons (seed leaves). Keep moist but not wet until they germinate, which can take some time.
Gasteraloes are relatively slow-growing plants that can reach heights of one meter or more. Their leaves are long and strap-like, sometimes with teeth along their margins. The inflorescence (flower spike) can be up to one meter tall and is composed of a dense raceme of pink or red flowers that appear in summer.
Gasteraloe green gold care
Gasteraloes green gold care is easy. They are not very demanding and can grow in a wide range of soils as long as drainage is good. If you have really poor soil, it’s best to mix some well-rotted compost or manure into the potting mixture so that they will get enough nutrients for healthy growth.
Light requirements
Gasteraloes green gold grows well in a sunny position but will tolerate some shade. If they are grown indoors, place them near a window that receives at least four hours of direct sunlight every day.
If you want to put your plant outside during warmer months when the weather is suitable, it’s best to gradually acclimatize it to the full sun by placing it in a shaded area and gradually moving it to brighter conditions. This should take about two weeks, after which you can place the plant outside for several hours during the day before bringing them back indoors at night.
Soil/potting mix
Gasteraloe green gold grows in any soil type, but they are likely to do best in a well-draining potting mix. Ensure that the container has plenty of drainage holes at the bottom so water doesn’t accumulate and rot the roots. It is also important to use a porous material for planting so it can dry quickly after watering.
A common potting mix for succulents is equal parts sand, loam (humus), and perlite or pumice. The addition of composted organic matter will improve the soil’s fertility but isn’t vital if you are planning to use slow-release fertilizer instead.
Watering
Gasteraloe green gold is drought tolerant plant that should only be watered when the soil is completely dry. With proper care, they should not need frequent watering at all.
If you’re growing your plant in a container filled with potting mix, water until the excess moisture drips through to the bottom of the dish, and then wait until it is dry before watering again.
If you’re growing a gasteraloe green gold in the ground, dig your fingers into the soil to check its moisture level. If it feels moist at a depth of one inch or more below the surface, don’t water because there will be enough moisture available for plant roots.
If the soil feels dry at one inch, water your gasteraloe green gold until it starts to run out of the drainage holes. Fill up the container so that excess moisture runs through to ensure there is no standing water sitting in pockets after watering.
Fertilizer
Gasteraloe green gold does not need to be fertilized very frequently and only requires a weak solution once every three months. This is mainly because gasteraloes have shallow root systems that can’t absorb nutrients well so it would take too much food at one time for them to benefit from it.
Instead of using fertilizer, a gasteraloe green gold may be given a boost of nutrients by spraying with an organic seaweed solution every two weeks. This supplies the plant’s root system directly and is less likely to burn it than manufactured fertilizers that contain salts as ingredients.
If you wish to use fertilizer, look for one that does not have high levels of nitrogen because this will prevent blooming. A fertilizer with a ratio of one-third to half phosphorus and the rest potassium is ideal for gasteraloe green gold plants.
In addition, make sure that it does not have any added trace minerals or micronutrients in its ingredients as well since these elements are already included in seaweed.
If you’re using a manufactured fertilizer, follow the instructions on its label for proper dosage and application methods. However, it is still best to err on caution by giving your plant only small amounts instead of large ones in order to prevent damage or overdose.
Pruning
Gasteraloes don’t require much pruning and only need to be trimmed occasionally, especially if they become too tall or leggy. Since most gasteraloes grow quickly in the summer months and then slow down after fall has arrived, it is best to wait until spring before you make any drastic changes to their shape.
When to repot
When you first receive your gasteraloe green gold plant, it is best to repot immediately. However, if you have already waited some time before doing so then do not worry too much about the amount of damage that may have occurred during transit.
Gasteraloes are easy to transplant and will quickly recover from any mistakes made when repotting them. Once you have removed the plant from its container and shaken off the excess potting mix, set it in a dish of water for five to ten minutes so that all of its roots are soaked before planting it again.
Since repotting usually stimulates new root growth, wait at least two or three weeks after transplanting your gasteraloe green gold before you water it to avoid drowning its delicate roots.
When the gasteraloe green gold is planted in a dish, make sure that there are drainage holes at the bottom to prevent standing water from entering and causing root rot or other problems for your plant. In addition, fill up the container with the potting mix so that it is level with the base of your plant’s leaves.
Make sure you have used a potting mix specifically designed for cacti and succulents instead of soil or other types because they are better at draining excess moisture out of holes in the bottom. Repot this way every two years to ensure optimum health for your gasteraloe green gold.
Dormancy
Gasteraloes are known to go dormant during the winter months but they will only require dormancy if you live in an area where there is snow or extreme cold. When it gets chilly, gasteraloe green gold plants drop their leaves and stop growing until springtime comes back around again.
If your plant has dropped its leaves then it should be kept in an area where the temperature is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit during this dormant period. However, do not let it stay too cold because gasteraloes can also burn if they are exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than a week at once.
Flowers & Fragrance
Gasteraloes are not known for their flowers, but if you wish to see your gasteraloe green gold plant bloom, then it is possible. To do so, place the container in which you have planted your gasteraloe green gold near a window that gets plenty of sunlight during the spring and summer months when days are longer than nights.
After a few weeks, your gasteraloe green gold should bloom with orange or yellow flowers that emit a pleasant fragrance. If you have several plants in one container then they may even flower at the same time and create an amazing sight when their leaves are all full of color during this flowering period.
Growth rate
Gasteraloes are known to grow very quickly in the summer months and then slow down once fall arrives. This is because they receive most of their nutrients from sun exposure during spring and summer, but these periods gradually shorten as we move towards winter which means that plants will need less nourishment during this time for optimal health.
Toxicity
Although gasteraloes are not poisonous or toxic to humans, they can harm your pets if you allow them to eat them. If this happens, then seek medical attention immediately because the sap inside of a gasteraloe plant causes skin irritation in most animals that ingest it.
When growing outdoors, make sure there is no chance that your children or pets may come into contact with the plant because it can cause damage to their skin if they rub against or chew on your gasteraloe green gold’s leaves.
USDA Hardiness Zones
Gasteraloe green gold is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11.
Pests and diseases
Gasteraloes are susceptible to root rot and other diseases if they do not receive enough sunlight, so make sure your plant is placed in a spot where it can get at least five hours of direct light every day.
Conclusion
Gasteraloe green gold is a beautiful, easy to care for cactus plant with bright orange and yellow flowers. It requires little water so it can survive in small containers indoors or outdoors if the climate allows! Gasteraloe green gold will go dormant when cold weather arrives but comes back quickly once spring returns.
If you have pets, be careful because this plant can cause skin irritation if ingested.
