Watering frequency and water quality are important for aloe. Water serves as a building material for its tissues. Absorbed by the roots from the soil, moisture rises along the stem to the leaves and carries the nutrients necessary for the normal development of the plant.
Aloe has a thick stem and fleshy leaves. Aloe belongs to the succulents that have the ability to store water in the organs.. Using these reserves, the plant is able to survive in the complete absence of external sources of moisture.
How often should watering be done?
How to water the aloe vera flower at home? This should be done in moderation. The frequency of procedures is determined by the humidity and temperature of the surrounding air, the amount of light, the time of year and the age of the plant.
The older the aloe, the less often watering is required.. Rooting young specimens are watered more often.
In summer, the substrate is moistened once or twice a week, in the late afternoon. The signal for watering is the drying of the topsoil a few centimeters from the surface. In conditions of high humidity and in rainy weather, frequent procedures can harm aloe.
Ordinary water taken directly from the tap is not suitable for irrigation - it contains heavy and alkaline impurities that negatively affect plants. The water must be soft. It is recommended to defend it for more than a day.
This will allow the lime and chlorine to evaporate. Boiling is another softening method. To normalize acidity, it is recommended to add acetic or citric acid to the water in a ratio of three to five grams per liter of water.
It is important to pay attention to the temperature of the water. In summer, the temperature should be from +30 to +35°C, in spring from +20 to +22°C, in the autumn-winter season it should be 6-8°C higher than room temperature.
How to properly moisturize a plant that is at home?
Aloe can be watered in two ways:
- bottom;
- from above - using a watering can with a thin spout.
When watering from below, a little water is poured into a pan or small container. Then a pot with a plant is placed there. Moisture enters through the drainage holes into the lower layers of the soil.
The method is more suitable for those types of aloe, the suction roots of which are located in the lower part of the root system, at the bottom of the pot.
This method does not lead to soil erosion. Nutrients are washed out slowly. If the root system is powerful and thick, this method is not recommended. High drainage prevents moisture from getting into the upper layers of the substrate, which can cause root diseases.
If there is a thick drainage layer, you need to immerse the pot in a deep container of water for several minutes. Then allow excess moisture to drain and place the pot back on the tray.
With the right amount of water, half an hour after watering, moisture should accumulate in the pan from the watering can. It should be poured out, otherwise the roots may rot.
You need to water very carefully, along the edge of the pot, preventing the leaves and stem from getting wet. Excess moisture on the leaves leads to their decay. Aloe can not be sprayed and put under the shower. If dust has accumulated on the leaves, wipe them with a damp cloth.
In spring and summer, watering is periodically combined with. Once a month, a weak solution of mineral fertilizer intended for succulents is applied.
How often do you moisturize in winter?
Winter is the time when aloe is dormant. Watering should be carried out no more than once a month, preferably in the morning.. Make sure the soil in the pot is dry. In winter, aloe is not fed.
What happens if you don't follow the rules?
- Aloe is very difficult to tolerate excess moisture. In this case, its leaves turn yellow and soften. It is necessary to remove the plant from the pot, inspect the root system and remove damaged areas. Dry. Plant in new soil and provide good lighting.
- If aloe suddenly sheds leaves, the reason is watering with cold water.
- With excessive moisture, stagnation of water in the pot may form.
In combination with low air temperature, stagnant water provokes the development of root rot. You can save the plant only at an early stage of this disease.
- If aloe is not watered for a long time, its leaves lose turgor, become lethargic and thin. Abundant moistening of the substrate will help correct the situation.
Watering aloe is not particularly difficult. The flower does not need frequent soil moisture and survives a short drought without loss. Water quality plays an important role in aloe. The correct watering regime helps to avoid problems with the root system. and keep the plant healthy.
Useful video
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The aloe flower is not only a window sill decoration in many homes. It is also a medicinal plant, which is famous for its unique properties of a biogenic stimulant. Biologically active substances in its composition help in the treatment of colds, and as a wound healing agent. Infusions with aloe juice contribute to the overall strengthening of immunity, etc.
It is widely used in cosmetology. In order for the plant not to lose its medicinal properties, it needs competent care. And one of the most important manipulations is to properly water the aloe. In order to understand the importance of this action, let's lift the veil over the plants that are collectively called "ALOE".
Botanical description
As we have already mentioned, behind the common name "aloe" there is a whole range of plant crops, numbering more than 400 species! Translated from Arabic, "aloe" means "bitter".
The plant to which we are accustomed belongs to the Asphodelaceae family (lat. Asphodelaceae). These are succulents - cultures that are able to do without water for a long time, storing liquid inside their tissues. Therefore, their native places are the African continent and the Arabian Peninsula, where heat and drought prevail.
This must be taken into account in order to competently water aloe at home, breeding a flower.
Most plants of this family are characterized by the same body structure and size (although in the wild there are trees of many meters in height). Their leaves are sword-shaped, broad at the base and tapering at the end. They are concave on the inside.
Thick and fleshy, covered with a thick waxy layer that protects the plant from direct sunlight. Aloe produces small, rather unremarkable flowers on a long peduncle.
An amazing feature is the "will to live" of the plant. In order to retain scarce moisture, the plant has adapted to close the stomata - the veins on its leaves!
flower types
At home, both ornamental and medicinal varieties of plants are grown. Here is a description of just a few of them.
Decorative varieties include:
- Aloe cap-shaped. Herbaceous perennial with fleshy egg-shaped leaves, which are covered with spines on one side and framed with white teeth on the other.
- Aloe holly. A very pretty spherical formation, with leaves covered with a whitish coating, ending in a thin thread.
- The artificially bred variety Snow Deception decorates the premises. Its distinctive feature, in addition to the unusual shape, is an amazing color. Due to the abundance of white spots on the leaves, it seems as if strewn with snow.
medicinal aloe:
- Aloe tree. The most common "room" variety. It is also called Aloe Vera and Agave. It is believed that the flowering period occurs once in a hundred years! Its leaves are curved, numerous shoots form a curly bush. An excellent helper for a runny nose, cough and almost any skin injury.
- Aloe is awesome. The bush got its threatening name due to its exotic appearance: at the top of a powerful trunk there is a rosette of lanceolate leaves, the edges of which are covered with rather sharp spikes.
The juice of this variety is widely used in pharmaceuticals, medicine and even home cosmetology.
Growing aloe at home
In this article we will talk about the most common indoor variety of indoor aloe - Agave. Based on the characteristics of his needs, general conclusions can be drawn on the content of these succulents. The species is quite unpretentious, but for it there are certain conditions of care for a comfortable existence.
Landing
Aloe has a branched, fibrous, elongated root system, which should not touch the bottom of the container, but should be located in the middle part of the container. Choose a deep pot. It should have drainage holes to drain excess moisture.
Place a drain at the bottom. In the soil mixture, the presence of sand, sod and leafy soil is necessary. Additives from crushed bricks or coal will favorably affect the growth and development of aloe.
Transfer
A young plant needs an annual transplant until its rhizome is finally formed. An adult agave changes its place of residence once every two to three years. With each transplant, increase the volume of the container by one and a half to two sizes.
Lighting
A native of hot countries is very fond of light. Therefore, place the plant on the windowsill on the south side. When "moving" a flower to a personal plot, also take care of good lighting of the selected area.
But still, in the hottest period, let the plant be in a light shade. It is unacceptable to get moisture on the leaves of the agave during the scorching sun. This will lead to burns and flower disease.
Watering aloe!
And now we will move on to a very important part in caring for a plant: - this is its hydration ... How many times and in what quantity should aloe be watered correctly? For the life of this flower culture, the quality and quantity of water plays a huge role. Liquid is the flesh and blood of all succulents.
It was not in vain that we mentioned that the plant pot should have numerous drainage holes, because aloe receives moisture through the root system (water is best taken through the container pan).
IMPORTANT! Half an hour after the procedure, check the pan. If water has accumulated there, then the soil is well saturated with liquid. Now you need to drain it so that the roots do not rot.
As you know, the plant came to us from arid countries, where the rainy season comes only at a certain period. Therefore, in the summer, aloe is watered once every 7-10 days. Keep an eye on the top layer of soil, if it is dry - it's time to "water" the flower (a great tip for beginner flower growers).
This also applies to indoor humidity. Agave tolerates dry air well. Occasionally, the plant can be bathed in order to clean its leaves from dirt and dust.
With the onset of cold weather, aloe vera is placed in a cool and bright place. This is the time for the flower to rest. But this does not mean that it does not require care. In winter, aloe requires rare watering. But this should only be done once a month! Below we will describe in which case this method needs to be adjusted.
Note! The rule that it is better not to top up than to overfill applies to almost all varieties of aloe. Indeed, in nature, if the rainy season does not come on time, plants feed on the accumulated fluid in their body!
Overflow is especially dangerous in autumn and winter. In spring and autumn, plants are recommended to be watered in the morning.
The relationship of watering with the age of plants
It should be noted that the younger the plant, the more often it needs irrigation. So in spring and summer it needs frequent and moderate watering. In the autumn-winter period - rare and moderate watering!
But an adult flower, at the age of three to five years, should limit water procedures, but increase the volume of liquid.
What else needs to be considered?
Fertilizing and fertilizing aloe depends on the moisture content of the soil mixture. In a dry substrate, trace elements are not absorbed! Therefore, it is possible to fertilize the plant in two ways:
- Fertilizer can be poured into a wet, but not filled with water pan.
- The plant is fed from above, adding to moist soil.
Take note! Liquid fertilizer for cacti, with a fully balanced complex of minerals and vitamins, is great for aloe.
("Agricola" is poured into the top layer of soil. "Flower paradise for aloe and cacti" is used for top dressing from a pallet, and also applied from above).
Another frequency of watering depends on the material of the pot. In a vessel made of ceramics, the liquid is absorbed into its walls, and then evaporates. We increase watering! If the pot is made of plastic, then humidification occurs as usual.
It is necessary to increase the amount of liquid if the plant has a powerful root system!
ATTENTION! The health of aloe is greatly affected by the quality of the water. If this factor is not taken into account, the plant will get sick and die!
In this matter, the temperature of the liquid in different seasonal periods also plays an important role:
- In spring, the water temperature should be + 19-21°C.
- In summer, so that there is no big contrast with the air temperature, increase the degree to + 30-35 ° С.
But in autumn and winter, lower the degree to + 5-6 ° С.
Do not use tap water! Aloe does not tolerate hard liquid full of chlorine and heavy suspensions. Set aside water for irrigation during the day. Or boil it and then cool it well. Harmful substances will settle at the bottom of the containers.
Avoid Mistakes
Neither beginners nor experienced flower growers are immune from mistakes when growing their favorite plants. And since we already know that water is the most important component of succulents, in particular aloe, we want to remind you once again what you don’t need to do in the case of this unusual and useful plant:
- in winter, despite the previously agreed rare watering regime, if the air in the room is very dry, then it is necessary to increase the frequency of irrigation. You can put an open container of water next to the wintering plant;
- increased watering, especially with chlorinated water, leads to softening of the "body" of aloe. Its leaves become lethargic and resemble a rag;
- The best way to prepare water for watering aloe is to freeze it. And then, by decanting through gauze, getting rid of harmful sediment.
Ask the experts what other ways it is acceptable to water these plants. Surely in the personal "piggy bank" each grower has a couple of interesting tips!
Proper watering of begonias at home
Aloe is a very popular houseplant. Despite the fact that it is unpretentious, you need to follow certain rules of care, and of course, know how to water at home.
How should aloe be watered?
The frequency of watering the plant is determined as the soil dries out. But there are times when a flower grows strongly in a pot and completely blocks visibility and access to the ground. It must be remembered that excessive saturation of the earth with moisture can lead to rotting of aloe roots. Therefore, it is recommended to calculate the frequency of watering as follows. In summer, it is necessary to moisten the soil abundantly twice a week. Watering is carried out from above from the watering can and from below, pouring water into the pan. Excess water is drained from the tray.
It is recommended to use separated and warm water. Aloe spraying is not carried out. Dust on the leaves of the plant is removed with a damp cloth. As you know, in winter, plants enter a dormant period. In this regard, it is important to know how often to water aloe in winter. At this time, the frequency of watering is reduced, it will be enough to carry them out twice a month.
How to water aloe vera?
Aloe vera has fleshy leaves that retain moisture. Therefore, the plant has a very low water requirement. Too much moisture can lead to root rot. Therefore, it will be enough to water the flower once or twice a month when the soil becomes dry.
How to water aloe for growth?
In spring and summer, once a month, the plant is fed with a weak solution of mineral fertilizer for succulents and cacti. This promotes the growth of aloe. Starting from mid-autumn and winter, top dressing is not carried out.
Proper watering is part of proper aloe care and will help keep your plant healthy.
But do not forget that any plant care, in particular aloe nutrition, will be useful only with the right approach to this seemingly simple matter.
When carrying out the fertilization procedure, the following points must be considered:
- It is recommended to feed fertilizers only completely healthy plants. Flowers that are diseased or damaged by pests must first be cured, because due to their condition they will still not be able to absorb the micronutrients received through the roots.
- In no case should you fertilize the soil of recently transplanted plants, because fresh soil still contains a large amount of nutrients. In addition, the roots of flowers after transplantation are very vulnerable and can be easily burned by the applied fertilizer. The procedure for feeding transplanted aloe can be carried out after 6 months from the date of transplantation or after the appearance of new shoots.
- To avoid burns on the leaves and stems of aloe, fertilizer is most often applied in the evening or on a cloudy day. The next day, it will be useful to sprinkle the leaves of the plant with warm water in the morning and evening.
- Before applying any fertilizer, it is necessary to carefully water the soil so that no dry land remains. Otherwise, during the feeding procedure, the root system and, as a result, the entire flower may suffer.
- Aloe, planted in a special soil mixture for cacti and other succulents, is recommended not to be fed, as a high concentration of beneficial trace elements can cause a negative effect.
- Top dressing is necessary during periods of activation of plant growth, namely from May to September. At the same time, it is necessary to fertilize the plants periodically once every 2-2.5 weeks.
- When buying a plant during the growth period, fertilizers should be applied 2-3 weeks after purchase, when the aloe has passed the acclimatization period in the new conditions.
- It is best to apply in liquid form from below, pouring into a pan, or from above, on moist soil, carefully making sure that top dressing does not get on the leaves or stems of the agave.
An important principle in the care of aloe, including with the help of fertilizers, is that all good things are needed in moderation.
When feeding aloe, it is important not to overdo it with the amount of fertilizer applied, because sometimes it is better to underfeed than to enrich the plant soil with too many useful trace elements. Therefore, it should be remembered that any fertilizer should be applied in exactly the doses indicated in the instructions, and strictly follow the recommendations.
You can buy fertilizer today in almost every specialized store, which offers a wide range of top dressings for houseplants and horticultural crops. Often, the use of garden fertilizers can lead to disease and even death of domestic aloe. Therefore, when buying, the main thing is not to save money, but to opt for those dressings that are intended for cacti and succulents.
If such special fertilizers could not be found, when choosing suitable dressings for plants, it should be taken into account that in no case should peat and any fertilizers made on its basis be applied to the ground in which aloe is planted. And nitrogen-containing mineral fertilizers will be especially useful for the agave.
Choice of fertilizer
To date, there is a huge variety of top dressings for houseplants, and, as mentioned above, you should stop your choice on special fertilizers designed for cacti and succulents. We list some of them that can be found in almost every store.
Organo-mineral fertilizer Power of Life Complex organomineral fertilizer "Force of Life" for cacti and succulents
It is used for top dressing and various succulents, such as astrolobes, aloe, fat women, doodles, Kalanchoe and others.
- Strengthens the root system of cacti and succulents.
- Provides the necessary amounts of micronutrients during the growth period of plants.
- Reduces the acclimatization period after transplanting flowers.
- Increases the speed of metabolic processes in plant cells.
The fertilizer is presented in the form of a concentrated solution, which must be diluted before use in accordance with the instructions. For root dressings (during the period of active growth) with ordinary watering for aloe, a solution of half a teaspoon of concentrate in 10 liters of water is used. This preparation is not used for foliar top dressing and during the dormant period of plants.
Bona Forte (Bona Forte) - fertilizer for cacti
Concentrated fertilizer in a liquid state, containing a complete complex of micronutrients, provides:
- Complete nutrition of cacti and various succulents.
- Strengthening the processes of photosynthesis.
- Complete assimilation of useful trace elements.
- Support and strengthening the immunity of flowers.
- Stimulation of active plant growth.
To obtain the best positive effect, it is recommended to combine root and foliar top dressing with a concentrate solution prepared according to the instructions.
Fertilizer for cacti Bona Forte When top dressing through the roots, use 5 ml of the drug dissolved in 1.5 liters of water. During the period of active growth of aloe, root fertilizer is used every week, during the dormant period - once a month. You can prepare a solution for spraying aloe leaves (foliar top dressing) from 5 ml of concentrate and 3 liters of water.
The remaining prepared solution can be stored in a dark, cold place for no more than 14 days. After the expiration date, concentrated fertilizer does not lose its beneficial properties.
Soluble fertilizer for cacti and succulents
Dry water-soluble fertilizer is suitable for all types of cacti and succulents. Due to the balanced complex of micro- and macroelements contained in its composition, the fertilizer meets the needs of plants in different periods of their growth.
Soluble fertilizer "Agricola" This fertilizer is suitable for aloe root dressings. To prepare the solution, you need to take 2 - 2.5 grams of dry fertilizer granules and completely dissolve them in 1 liter of warm water.
The advantage of the presented top dressing is that dry fertilizers for flowers are very economical due to the high concentration. They don't have an expiration date.
Homemade aloe fertilizer
In addition to purchased ready-made fertilizers, some flower growers for feeding aloe at home like to use various improvised means that can be found in almost every apartment, but are often simply disposed of. Here are some simple options for nutrient additions to the soil for plants.
- Sugar. You can feed aloe with sugar once a week. For this method, 1 teaspoon of sugar is evenly distributed over the surface of the soil, after which the usual watering of the plant is carried out. You can also simply water the soil with a solution of 2 teaspoons of white sugar and a glass of warm water.
- Eggshell. It will be especially useful as a supplement when using mineral fertilizers for plants, which significantly increase the acidity of the soil. Before putting the shell into the ground, it must be thoroughly washed, dried and crushed very well. The rate of decomposition of the shell is very low, so it is often not recommended to make it. The crushed shell can be poured with 3 liters of hot water and infused for a week. After that, the resulting solution can be watered with the agave.
- Onion peel. Contains a useful component that destroys pathogenic microflora. A solution of 15 grams of husk and 6 liters of hot water is infused for at least 5 days or boiled for about 3 minutes and insisted for 2 hours. After that, the product is used as a foliar top dressing, spraying aloe leaves clean from dust.
- Water from washing cereals. Many flower growers water aloe with water from washing rice, buckwheat and other cereals, which contains many trace elements useful for plants.
Aloe vera is a succulent shrub that has recently gained popularity due to its attractive appearance as well as its healing properties. Even in ancient times, this plant was used to treat many diseases. Aloe vera is used to treat various diseases of the skin, intestines, as well as to combat some eye ailments. Today, many flower growers can find this culture in pots at home. However, in order to grow this plant successfully, it is necessary to adhere to some rules of care and maintenance. First of all, you need to know how to water aloe at home, what method to propagate, at what temperature to keep. Those people who have only recently started growing this indoor flower should familiarize themselves with some of the nuances of the care and maintenance of aloe vera.
Features of growing aloe vera indoors
The main distinguishing feature of this plant is that it is very unpretentious in care. If a person does not know how to water aloe at home, and forgot to do it, then the flower can grow in dry soil for a long time. At this time, aloe will use the moisture that has accumulated in its own leaves. However, in order for the plant to always please with its attractive appearance, it is still necessary not to neglect the rules of care and maintenance, in particular, you should familiarize yourself with how to water aloe at home.
But before that, you should pay attention to the features of the soil in which the flower will be grown. The soil can be bought ready-made. Specialized stores sell special potting mixes for cacti and succulents. But the soil can also be prepared at home. To do this, you should pay attention to the fact that peat is not added to the soil, since the root system of aloe vera reacts very negatively to this type of soil.
If the soil is prepared independently, then it is necessary to take two parts of soddy land, one part of humus, one part of coarse sand, and one part of leafy soil. Also, a small amount of charcoal must be added to the resulting mixture, as it has disinfecting properties. To give the soil friability, a small amount of crushed broken brick should be added to it.
And how to water aloe at home? Answering this question, you should pay attention to the fact that watering should be infrequent in winter. But in the summer you should not overdo it with it. How often to water aloe at home in the summer? This is done only slightly more often than in winter.
When it comes to lighting, aloe vera needs a lot of light during the summer, so it's best kept on a south-facing windowsill. Other details of how to keep it at home and under what lighting conditions will be discussed below.
Plant care rules
Caring for aloe vera is a very easy task. This flower must be provided with enough light, which is a prerequisite. Thanks to this, the plant will grow and develop normally. If aloe vera stands in a bright place, then it will delight the eyes of its owners for a long time, and also give its healing properties.
How to water aloe vera at home? In this regard, the plant is also unpretentious. It is for this reason that caring for a flower can be called a real pleasure. Plants are able to exist for 1-2 weeks without water, so the owners may not worry when going on vacation. Thanks to this, many beginner flower growers are so fond of growing aloe at home.
Lighting Rules
This succulent is a very photophilous plant. For this reason, it should be kept on east or south windowsills. Aloe vera is absolutely not afraid of direct sunlight. This is due to the fact that in its natural habitat this flower grows in hot countries.
Air temperature
With the advent of summer, as a rule, plants do not need special care. At this time, as already mentioned, it is best to keep succulents on a loggia or balcony, where there is a sufficient amount of fresh air. However, more attention and care should be given to the flower with the advent of winter.
In winter, the plant should be kept at an air temperature of about 12 degrees. For this, aloe vera is cleaned in a bright, cool room. You should pay attention to the fact that it is strictly forbidden to place a flower in the winter near heating appliances, since such a place is detrimental to the plant.
Air humidity
In its natural habitat, this succulent thrives in dry desert air. It is for this reason that it does not particularly respond to the level of humidity in the room. As a rule, the plant does not need spraying. How to water aloe vera at home? This will be discussed below.
Irrigation Features
Answering the question of how to water aloe, it must be said that the frequency of this process will depend on the degree of drying of the soil in the pot. However, there are cases when the plant has grown strongly in the container, due to which it completely blocked visibility, as well as access to the soil. Speaking about how to water aloe, you should pay attention to the fact that excessive soil moisture can cause the root system to rot. It is for this reason that the frequency of watering should be calculated based on some rules:
- First, how to water aloe vera in summer. In summer, the soil is moistened abundantly only 2 times a week. Watering is carried out from the watering can from above and below. Water in parallel with this is poured into the pan of the pot. All excess liquid after watering should be removed. Novice flower growers who do not know how to water aloe at home in the summer should remember this rule. For irrigation, it is necessary to use warm and separated water. As mentioned earlier, spraying the plant is not carried out. If in the summer a layer of dust has formed on the sheet plates, then it is removed with a damp cloth.
- Now about how to water aloe in winter at home with the advent of winter. The plant at this time enters a dormant period. For this reason, beginner growers should know how often to water aloe in winter. At this time, watering is significantly reduced, it will be enough to carry out this procedure a couple of times a month.
Since aloe vera has fleshy leaves, moisture accumulates in them. It is for this reason that the culture is not demanding on water. But if inexperienced flower growers do not know how many times to water aloe at home, how to increase the frequency of watering, then this can cause the root system to rot. For this reason, with the advent of winter, the flower is watered once or twice a month. In this case, you should pay attention to the fact that the soil must be dry before watering.
In order to properly water aloe at home in winter, the process must be exactly the same as in summer, that is, water must flow from a watering can directly into the ground, as well as into the pot tray. All excess moisture must be removed from the pan without fail.
Also, to avoid root rot, aloe vera must be grown in pots that have drainage holes. They are needed so that all excess water flows out of the soil into the pan.
Fertilization
During the period of active growth, which lasts from April to September, aloe vera needs additional feeding, which is carried out 1 time in 2 weeks. For this, special fertilizers for cacti are used. You can also use special liquid mineral complexes. During this procedure, it is necessary to ensure that top dressing does not fall on the surface of the leaf plates and on the stems.
In this case, you should pay attention to the fact that only adult plants are fed. If the crop is damaged, then it must be cured before fertilizing. Young specimens do not need feeding. Also, do not feed plants that have been transplanted for less than six months.
Top dressing is applied to well-moistened soil. Fertilization in dry soil is not allowed, as the plant can be severely damaged from this.
If aloe vera grows in a special soil mixture, then it can not be fed. But if a newly purchased flower grows in simple soil, then the first top dressing is applied no earlier than 2-4 weeks after purchase. Aloe after transplantation is fertilized only after the first shoots appear.
Transplant rules
Periodically, the succulent must be transplanted into a large container, since this plant develops the root system very quickly. In order for the flower to continue to grow in growth, the pot should be changed annually for the first 5 years. After that, transplantation is carried out every two years.
This is done in the spring, when the flower easily tolerates any manipulation, and also no longer requires enhanced care. If it is not transplanted, then it will stop growing.
To transplant aloe vera into a new container, you just need to pull the flower, along with an earthy clod, from the previous pot. The new capacity should be approximately 20% larger than the previous one.
Before planting in a new pot, a drainage layer is poured on it, for which you can use broken bricks, as well as a small amount of soil mixture, which is pre-pierced in the oven. After that, the flower is carefully placed in a new pot, and soil is poured on top. The substrate is compacted a little, after which the rest of the earth is covered. Now the plant should be watered a little, after which it can be put in a permanent place.
Breeding methods
It is very difficult to achieve flowering of a succulent at home, as well as to get seeds from it. Therefore, the plant propagates by cuttings, children or leaf plates:
- To propagate aloe vera by cuttings, one cutting must be cut off with a knife. The length of the cut off part should be at least 10 cm. The place of the cut should be powdered with ash. After it dries, after 3 days the cutting should be planted in a moist substrate.
- For reproduction by leaf plates, it must be cut from the mother plant. After that, the sheet is placed in water. When roots appear on it, the leaf plate should be planted in a permanent place. In this case, it is worth paying attention to the fact that a leaf is planted to a depth of no more than 4 cm.
- As for the method of reproduction by children, then, as a rule, they already have their own root system. Therefore, they just need to be planted in a separate pot.
When breeding, you should pay attention to the fact that this manipulation is performed only in spring or summer.
Possible diseases and pests
Aloe vera is a very resilient plant, but it can also be subject to various kinds of diseases.
Possible diseases:
- The most common disease in this case is root rot. It appears due to excessive watering. To cure the plant, it is necessary to remove all damaged parts on the root system, sprinkle them with ashes, after which the aloe should be transplanted into a new substrate. Water the plant at the same time not earlier than 1 month after transplantation. If root rot has affected the entire root system, then the flower can no longer be saved.
- Another possible disease of aloe vera is dry rot. As a rule, this disease does not have any visible signs. In this case, the plant begins to dry out from the inside, as a result of which it dies.
Possible pests:
- Shchitovka. This pest interferes with the photosynthesis of the crop, due to which the leaves begin to curl and dry out. An even more dangerous pest is the false shield, which injects its poison into the leaf plates. To cure the plant, they should be wiped with a rag that is wetted in vinegar or alcohol, after which the Aktara preparation is applied. Aloe vera should be transplanted, and the container well disinfected.
- Spider mite. This pest is the main enemy of aloe vera. Spider mites are very hard to spot. The only signal of its presence is the white spots that form on the leaf plates. To combat it, the drug "Aktelik" is used. For prevention purposes, it is recommended to wipe the leaves with a cloth dipped in garlic tincture.
- Mealybug. This pest is the easiest to remove from the plant. The fact is that this insect does not tolerate excessive humidity, so each sheet is wiped with an vinegar solution. For wiping, you can also use the drug "Biotlin".
Growing aloe vera indoors is a very easy task. The content of this plant will be within the power of even an inexperienced grower. However, in this case, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules for the maintenance and care of succulents. Only after that the flower will decorate the house with its attractive appearance. In addition, it is worth remembering that the juice and leaves of this plant are used in traditional medicine recipes to treat many diseases.