How to plant and care for aloe at home, the secrets of pot culture
Aloe is grown on window sills even by those who do not like home floriculture. The fleshy succulent leaves are used in many traditional medicine recipes. The healing properties of the plant have long been known, aloe is the first helper for wounds and wounds, tinctures are made on its basis for the treatment of internal diseases. Consider how to properly care for aloe in a pot at home in order to preserve its healing and decorative properties.
Description and characteristics
In our country, the plant is called agave, aloe (Aloe) - herbaceous or shrubby perennials. They belong to the Xanthorrhea family (Asphodelica subfamily). All species have thickened leaves with small spines or soft cilia along the contour. In the xiphoid leaves, moisture accumulates, which helps the plant in nature to survive the dry period. Therefore, aloe is classified as succulent.Leaves - without petioles, wrapping around the stem, can reach 65 centimeters in length.
The name of the plant comes from the Arabic language, meaning "bitter". In nature, it grows up to 500 species, distributed in the tropical zone of Africa, in South Africa, on the Arabian Peninsula. The leaves contain a whole range of nutrients:
- aloin;
- enzymes;
- essential oils;
- vitamins of group B, A, K, C, E;
- zinc, magnesium, chromium, calcium;
- acid.
The indoor plant purifies the air by lowering pathogens in the house.
Most aloe lovers fail to see a flower on a home plant, although a succulent, under favorable conditions, can bloom almost every year.
Kinds
Only a few types of aloe are grown at home. They differ in the type of leaves, the size of the bush or rosette and the root system.
In the shape of a tree
The most famous indoor plant has been cultivated since ancient times. Used in ancient Egypt, for the preparation of medicines and the embalming of bodies. It is he who is called the centenary in Russia. Originally from South Africa.
The trunk is strong, stands straight, the leaves are gray-green, there are sharp cartilaginous processes along the contour. Bell-shaped flowers, collected in large racemose inflorescences, the fruit is a capsule. It is widely used in medicine - externally, orally, by injection.
Faith
Aloe vera or vera is a herbaceous succulent plant, widely used in medicine and in the cosmetics industry. The roots are shallow, poorly developed. It has a short stem, the rosette reaches 65 centimeters in diameter. Mottled, variegated leaves, spines sitting along the edge. Aloe vera is drought tolerant, surviving where other plants die. When grown at home, it practically does not bloom.
Plume
The second name of the plant is tiger aloe. The white stripes on the leaves are gathered into transverse stripes, so the succulent is similar in color to a tiger. A white narrow strip runs along the contour of the leaves, small teeth lie on it.
The root is powerful, cylindrical. For flower lovers, it is better to buy a variegated aloe - this species blooms regularly, more often than others. Small bell-shaped flowers of a pink-burgundy hue are collected in a brush, stand on a dense peduncle.
thorny
One of the most decorative types of aloe, with a dense rosette up to half a meter in diameter. The leaves are rough, with white spots and thorns on the edges.
Aristata
Aloe aristáta is prickly. Belongs to medium-sized species. A mature plant produces many small rosettes that quickly fill the pot. The flowers are tubular, they last several days.
how to plant
Planting aloe is easy even for inexperienced growers. When planting, consider the usual conditions - the composition of the soil, the size and material of the container.
Soil selection and preparation
For planting, use prepared soil for succulents, this will eliminate the need to prepare the soil mixture. When self-compiling the ground, they connect:
- turf land - 2 parts;
- coarse sand - 1;
- soil with rotten leaves - 1 part.
This composition allows aerial access to the roots. Aloes of all kinds love light soils in which the roots breathe easily, moisture does not stagnate, excess water passes into the pan.
Important: at the bottom of the aloe pot, be sure to lay out a drainage layer of broken stone, brick.
How to choose a jar
A succulent plant tolerates a lack of water more easily; with excess moisture, the roots rot. Better to use ceramic pots, which evaporate water from the surface. In plastic containers, the soil does not dry out for a long time, which harms the roots. The water outlet is provided by holes in the bottom, which you can make yourself in the plastic. When buying ceramic pots, you need to make sure that there are holes and that there are enough holes for the water to escape.
The shape of the container does not matter. An important characteristic is the depth of the container. When planting, you need to take into account the peculiarities of the root system of the aloe species. In most varieties, the roots are shallow, a deep container is not needed, a pot 20 centimeters high is enough. Tree species (agave) with a cylindrical root, a powerful stem and leaves are planted in a deep pot, strengthened as they grow so that the crown does not fill the container.
How to plant correctly
Before planting, the prepared substrate is watered, water can be absorbed. It is necessary to plant aloe so that the root collar remains on the surface. After burying the roots in the ground, the soil around is pressed by hand, lightly pressed. The surface is mulched with small stones or coarse sand.
How to Grow an Aloe from a Rootless Scion
The leaf propagation method is used by those who already have aloe. Cut the leaf with a sharp knife, sprinkle the cut with activated carbon. Let dry 5-7 days. After that, the leaf is buried in the prepared soil for 1-3 centimeters and covered with a pot.Water when the soil dries out. If the home shrub is powerful, with many shoots, you can grow an aloe from the cut top of one of the side branches. The catch is cut and placed in the water. The roots will grow back in 2-3 weeks.
Care after landing
Aloe is an unpretentious plant, it does not cause flower growers much trouble. Likes bright, well-lit places. It is better to keep the container with the flower on the south side - aloe is not afraid of direct sunlight. In extreme heat, it is best to move the succulent away from the window so that the fleshy foliage does not bake in the sun.
The active growing season begins with the onset of spring, at this time watering is increased and top dressing begins. In the summer, the flower is sprayed with a spray bottle to slightly moisten the leaves. With the onset of heat, you can take the aloe container out to the balcony or garden, providing a comfortable place to stay in the sun, not during the hottest part of the day.
Dormant period
Vegetation ends at the end of autumn, aloe must have time to rest in winter. Watering is reduced (1 time in 15-25 days), the temperature should be lowered to 15-20°. At this time, it is better to remove the flower from the windowsill, where it is warmed by heating radiators . Aloe is not placed in dark places, the temperature below 10° for the plant is unacceptable.
watering
With proper watering and hydration, aloe can grow quickly and look healthy. Remember that a succulent plant tolerates a lack of humidity more easily than an excess.
Water requirements
For irrigation, use settled water at room temperature. The recommended water temperature range is 20-32°.
Above
Overhead watering is undesirable for aloe. If it is still necessary to water, water is poured strictly at the root, without moisturizing the plant and avoiding the appearance of puddles on the surface.
From the bottom
The recommended irrigation method is in a sump. Decanted water is poured for 20-30 minutes, after which the excess is drained from the pan. During this time, the earth will absorb the required amount of moisture.
Frequency
When choosing the frequency of watering, they are guided by the condition of the flower, humidity and room temperature:
- the average rate in the summer, during the growth period - 1-2 times a week;
- when the growing season ends - once every 2-3 weeks.
If the soil is wet, watering is postponed, despite the upcoming date. It is especially dangerous to water too often in winter, when the air temperature is low and the water demand of aloe is low.
Liquid top dressing
For aloe, liquid dressing is carried out according to the following rules:
- only healthy plants can be fertilized, feeding will only aggravate the disease;
- apply fertilizers in liquid form after watering;
- start feeding with the beginning of the period of intensive growth (March-November);
- the first feeding - 2-3 months after planting.
For fertilizing, fertilizers for succulents, folk remedies (onion peel solution, egg shells, sugar solution) are used. The frequency of feeding is selected depending on the characteristics of the growing season - no more than 2 times a month, at least once every 2 months.
Possible problems
Aloe is not considered a sensitive or painful crop.Subject to the conditions of detention, the succulent is rarely sick.
rotten roots
With excess moisture, improper watering, the roots can rot. This happens more often during the winter with low temperatures. Rot can be detected by the increased mobility of the plant, a change in the type of leaves. Fungal diseases can kill aloe.
Recovery methods:
- normalization of watering;
- transplantation with removal of rotten roots.
Mealybug egg laying
Scale insects and their claws are removed by hand, the leaves are treated with an alcohol or garlic solution. If you cannot cope with folk remedies, use insecticides.
Among other pests of aloe, scale insects and spider mites are particularly dangerous. Plants are examined regularly, damaged leaves are cut off. Treatments with chemical or folk remedies are repeated after 2 weeks, once is usually not enough.
Size
Cut off old and damaged leaves, which violate the decorative effect of the bush. For pruning, use a sharp knife or secateurs (for large aloes). The instrument is first disinfected in a disinfectant.
Basic rules:
- The sheet is cut as close to the trunk as possible, trying to cut it straight, without burrs.
- For medicinal purposes, the leaves located at the base are cut off (3-5 years).
- The babies are removed from the pot so as not to weaken the mother plant.
Decorative pruning is done at the end of the dormant period.
the reproduction
Aloe is propagated by regrown children, seeds, vegetatively.Planting seeds takes time and patience, most succulents are propagated vegetatively.
Grow from seed
Planting with seeds is rarely used; this method is more common among breeders and those planting aloe for sale. Prepare the soil and containers 10-15 centimeters deep. The earth is moistened, the seeds are deepened by 1 centimeter, the distance between neighbors is 3 centimeters. After planting, cover with glass or film to form a greenhouse.
Water as the soil dries out, regularly remove the glass for aeration. Transplanted into individual pots after the appearance of 2-3 leaves.
Cabbage
Planting by sprouts or children is the most convenient and fastest type of reproduction. Young shoots are intended for growth. It is important to wait until the young plant produces at least 3 leaves and develops its own root.
It is carefully cut into the soil of the mother plant, taking care not to damage the root. Prepare a separate container with the recommended soil composition. Deepen to the point of growth. Support can be provided to help the small roots hold the sprout. At first, they water a little every day, since the roots are close to the surface, they quickly dry out.
Transfer
The transplant is carried out in early spring, when the active growing season begins. Young aloes are transplanted annually, old - every 2-3 years, or more often if the plant is cramped in the pot.
The succulent is taken out of the pot, the ground is shaken. Before transplanting into a new (larger) pot, the roots are revised - old, damaged and rotten ones are removed. The central root is pruned to stimulate new growth.The flower is placed in a container, covered with a new soil mixture, placing the growing point above the surface. Exposed in a warm place without strong sunlight.
Help: when transplanting, aloe can be propagated by carefully separating the children or cutting the leaf.
Transhipment
If the aloe grows too quickly and the roots crawl into the drainage holes, you need to move the plant to a larger pot. The container is chosen a quarter larger than the previous one, the earth is not shaken from the roots. Carefully remove the aloe along with the soil and transfer it to another pot. They fill the earth, compact it. Most plants tolerate the procedure painlessly, without slowing down the growing season.
Tips & Tricks
Some additional tips for growing aloe:
- the trunk and leaves should be regularly wiped with a damp cloth from dust;
- for full growth, it is important to observe the seasonal conditions of detention, which are different for the winter and the growing season;
- with a lack of light, the bush stretches and thins - it is important to choose a lighted place;
- to harden and strengthen, it is useful to take out the aloe in hot weather.
For aloe it is necessary to choose an irrigation system depending on the conditions in the apartment. Excess moisture harms the roots, causing rot; when dry, the leaves turn yellow at the edges, the tips dry up.
Growing aloe is not difficult, any housewife can do it. Succulent has a lot of useful properties, is used to heal superficial wounds, tinctures treat many diseases, increase body tone. Aloe not only decorates the house, but is also a proven traditional medicine.