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Field Trip: Aloe Vera Plantation Curaçao

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Last week, we packed our bags and flew south to warmer climes. Caribbean climes, to be exact: we flew to Curaçao, a small island off the Venezuela coast, neighbor to popular Aruba. Curaçao is an arid island with native flora to match, which was fascinating — a cacti-studded desert with ocean views.

One notable imported plant, brought to the island as a medicinal by African slaves in colonial times, is Aloe vera. In fact, there’s an entire Aloe vera PLANTATION on Curaçao. You see where I’m headed with this, right?

Curaçao’s Aloe plantation is great: they’re a small outfit, employing local people; they use all parts of the Aloe, and what they don’t use is composted; they even irrigate the Aloe, when it’s irrigated at all, with greywater. (Which in hindsight concerns me about runoff, but I can’t speak on that.)

Also, they give a great tour, so take a look. Bonus pics of amazing Agaves blooming at the edge of a sea cliff at the end.

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  1. Michelle Gervais — February 18, 2010 #

    SO cool, AK.

  2. AK — February 18, 2010 #

    Thank you, ma’am! It was more interesting than I’d have thought, even for a plant geek.

  3. Christine B. — February 18, 2010 #

    I never knew aloe could be spotted or have such bright and lovely flowers. The photo tour was fun, esp. like the pic with the bright blue wall in the background: woke me up! I am trying not to kill my aloe but I’m rather neglectful with its care. Still in the same old small pot for the last three years.

    Christine in Alaska

  4. AK — February 19, 2010 #

    Thanks, Christine! I, too, have killed Aloe vera, even though they enjoy a margin of neglect. Would that ours could get big enough to bloom like that… It’s snowing here right at this very moment, as if to remind me gently that no, that just won’t work in this climate.

  5. Loree — February 19, 2010 #

    Great tour, thank you!

  6. AK — February 19, 2010 #

    Thanks for stopping by, Loree!

  7. Dirty Girl Gardening — February 19, 2010 #

    I am beyond jealous… and that banner pic is fabulous!

  8. AK — February 20, 2010 #

    @Dirty Girl Gardening: Thank you, and thanks for stopping by!

  9. Kathy in TX — April 8, 2010 #

    Seen those flowering plants in Laredo, TX. Didn’t know those were Aloe Vera plants.

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