Swellendam Winter School - All about Aloes

ABOUT

This course will allow you to have a deeper appreciation for aloes and the practical knowledge to grow them yourself with success.

18 June – 20 June

We will explore the history of aloes and understand the new classification system of the family Xanthorrhaeaceae ( Alooideae). You will be taught to recognise the main aloe groups in South Africa.

Through hands-on exercises, we will dissect aloe stems, leaves, roots, and flowers, to understand the uniqueness of this group of succulents that can grow and survive in drought, and even cope in wet conditions. We will extract aloe sap and prepare some aloe medicine, aloin.

Aloe pollination and hybridization will be practical explored. Seeds harvesting , preparation and seeding will be demonstrated.

The course will include a visit to aloes in nature in the Bontebok National Park with wine on the deck.

To find out more about this course, you can get in touch with the facilitator on [email protected]

COURSE CURRICULUM

MODULE 1

A short introduction on what you can expect to learn and experience about aloes

History about aloes: when were the first aloes discovered in SA and their use by various  cultures

We will unpack aloe taxonomy to understand what it all about.

Learn about the aloe groups and why they are grouped together in a certain way.

Assignment to hunt aloes in Swellendam.

MODULE 2

Discuss your discovery of aloes in Swellendam

Continue to explore the aloe groupsLooking more carefully at aloe plants, each person will dissect an aloe plant to see the stem from the inside, the leaves, roots and flowers.

Aloe medicine: we will learn whether the fuss about it is real.

Start preparing aloe leaves to extract and make Aloe bitters.

Practical: make aloe medicine In depth lecture about growing aloes, specific habitats, climate preferences, soils, geology. MODULE 3

In depth lecture about growing aloes, specific habitats, climate preferences, soils, geology.

Aloe seeds: How to harvest, clean and prepare for sowing.

Practical seed planting

Aloe cultivars. What are aloe hybrids and where do they come from.

Aloe hybrids and conservation. The purist verses the protector.

Practical on how to pollinate aloes and make your own hybrids or cultivars.

Field excursion to Bontebok National Park, ending with wine on the deck overlooking the Breede River

MODULE 4

Aloe gardens: gardening with aloes, designs and companions. The small collector and shade houses.

Indigenous gardening, combination plants, rocks and art.

Aloe care: Yes aloes do need care. Environmental friendly aloe care verses hard chemicals.

Aloes of the world: The latest publications and aloe books will be discussed.

Where can you get aloes, legislation and aloe values in monetary terms

Red data plants. What is it all about.

Aloes and climate change, habitat destruction

Short course feedback session

About the Facilitator: Jaap Viljoen'

Jaap studied at the North West University, completing a degree in Soils Science and Geology and a MSc in Pedology.

He started his career as a Geologist, followed by being an Engineering Geologist, before becoming a Soil Scientist and Pedologist with the Institute of Soil, Climate and Water. He later took up the position of Environmentalist at BHP Billiton.

He decided at a suitable time to leave the corporate world and establish Rooiklip Nursery in Swellendam. Aloes and succulents were part of the family, who are keen collectors. The hobby was grown into a large business. An exciting association with Leo Thamm of Sunbird Aloes saw the propagation and distribution of many new hybrids in the Western Cape. Jaap created Aloe Rex, Aloe Don, Aloe King Rex and many more hybrids. He recently scaled down his active involvement in Rooiklip Nursery to become a consultant and field guide and to spend more time researching aloes and succulents.

DIRECTIONS