Aloe ferox painting 2

W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm

Aloe ferox (also known as the Cape Aloe, Bitter Aloe, Red Aloe and Tap Aloe), is a species of arborescent aloe indigenous to Southern Africa. It is one of several Aloe species used to make bitter aloes, a purgative medication and also yields a non-bitter gel that can be used in cosmetics.

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Die Bitteraalwyn (Aloe ferox), inheems aan Suid-Afrika, is ’n struik wat deel is van die aalwynfamilie. Die plant blom vanaf Mei tot September. Die struik is ’n stadige groeier met ’n enkelstam en dik, doringrige, vlesige blare en buisvormige, oranje-rooi blomme. Dit is ’n uitstekende struik vir die rotstuin en verkies vol son en matige water. Die sap van die blare word vir medisyne en skoonheidsprodukte gebruik.

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Cactus love

I just love the cacti growing in my garden and here I've done a few quick ink sketches on note paper of them in pots and in my garden.

Echinopsis oxygona cactus

Black ink sketch and watercolour of a cactus in a pot in my garden (Tarlton, Gauteng, South Africa) on note paper

The only cactus genus that is more confusing than Echinopsis is that of Opuntia. In both cases, there is a great number of species (over 100) and a tremendous amount of variation.

The main factor that ties these plants together are their very large, showy flowers. These flowers are all very similar in structure – funnel shaped, with hairy/wooly scaled floral tubes which give rise to hairy, globular fruit filled with a soft, mushy pulp. The flowers seldom last more than a single day and may be diurnal or nocturnal depending on the species.

Sometimes known as hedgehog cactus, sea-urchin cactus or Easter lily cactus, Echinopsis is native to South America.

Opuntia - Prickly pear cactus

my cactus waits patiently for summer
stuffed into a pot by the window
rain or snow cactus sits meditating
so deep you would think asleep -
would be more fitting. but I know better
get too close and cactus is alive and willing
sharp as ever and prickly with it.
- nivek

Sand dollar catus

Astrophytum asterias (this is next on my list for my collection) – a small, round, spineless cactus, up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) tall and up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. The disc-shaped body is non-branched, flat, dark green in colour, with 5 – 11 (generally 8) ribs. In the middle of each rib there are woolly areoles. Native to small parts of Texas in the United States and Mexico. Also known as Sea Urchin Cactus, Star Cactus.

Cactus sunset - from my imagination

Guardian against sunset
the ancient cactus stands …

Trichocereus cactus

Trichocereus hybrids, sometimes called torch cacti, put on magnificent displays of large, brilliant flowers. Collectors will throw impromptu parties when all their plants bloom on the same day!

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Echeveria seedlings

Black ink sketch of Echeveria seedlings on note paper 

How does Mother Nature do it?! Succulents make me so happy! They don't ask for much, they just do their own thing and reward one with display after display of beautiful flowers. And mostly they are so easy to grow, like this Echeveria imbricata. Just take a few leaves, stick them in some soil and voila! in no time you have a few new friends.

Aloe ferox sketch

The original is watercolour in my Moleskine Nature Journal – 8″ × 8″

Here in South Africa, the Aloes start flowering in June/July, our coldest winter months, and for me the amazing thing is that, in the Northern Hemisphere, like France, they also flower in July, but during their summer. Some internal clock dictating the flowering time?

I did this sketch of this Aloe ferox (Bitter aloe) in my garden in August 2009, after I had noticed that the Blackbirds were all visiting this one, and the reason was soon apparent – it was fairly dripping with nectar! The flowers always seem to produce the most nectar just as they’re getting to the end of their life-span, which is early Spring. It’s their special gift to nature.

This hardy plant with its succulent leaves can survive the harshest conditions. When damaged by man or animal, the plant seals off any wound with a sticky, dark liquid that prevents infestation by virus, fungus or insect. This dark liquid has been successfully used by ancient inhabitants as a traditional remedy for many ailments.

The white inner gel of the leaf has the ability to hold and store moisture through hot, dry conditions and months of drought. Traditionally, the local inhabitants use it to soothe burn wounds, cuts and abrasions. Today those same qualities are still the being used in a wide range of moisturizers and rejuvenating creams and gels.

Echeveria imbricata

Ink sketch and watercolour in Moleskine Watercolour sketch-book – 8″ × 5″

I’m absolutely mad about Echeverias and have a small section in my garden set aside just for them. My collection started off in the late 70’s when my father gave me three rosettes in a pot, which I transplanted into a rockery and soon they covered the whole area. Since then I have given away hundreds to friends, the geese got out of the pond area and made a hearty meal of them and they’ve survived many of the severe frosts we get in our area.