Aloe striata failed flowering

Frost or a cold spell accompanied by a cutting wind can impact severely on a budding aloe inflorescence. For species growing in cold winter regions there is a short, critical, early stage in its development when flowering may abort totally, as happened to this withered Aloe striata.

A slightly later, second panicle may come through unscathed, otherwise blooming may be a year away. The timing of such a cold front can be dramatic. One plant’s flowering may be obliterated, its neighbour's buds appearing a few days earlier or later completely unaffected (Smith, et al, 2017; Frandsen, 2017; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Van Wyk and Smith, 2003; Reynolds, 1974; Jeppe, 1969; iNaturalist).