How to plant Aloe Vera
Core content of this article: Explanation of how to plant Aloe Vera and the planting and cultivation techniques of Aloe Vera in the field of green plants and flowers. The following is a detailed answer by the editor.
Aloe Vera is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the Liliaceae family, also known as Lu Hui, Ne Hui, Xiang Dan, Nu Hui, and Lao Wei, among other names. It is an ornamental plant with both flowers and leaves, loved by flower enthusiasts. Aloe Vera is not only ornamental but also its leaves can be used as medicine. The raceme of Aloe Vera grows from the leaf cluster, with tubular yellow flowers and red spots, blooming from March to April every year. The leaves of Aloe Vera are thick and pale in color, resembling a piece of artwork with decorative effects. Aloe Vera has strong drought resistance and can survive for several months without soil. It is suitable for small and medium-sized potted plants and is best placed on indoor dining tables, desks, and shelves, making it an ideal indoor potted plant.
Aloe Vera enjoys sunlight, is tolerant of semi-shade, and dislikes direct sunlight and excessive shade. The optimal growth temperature for Aloe Vera is between 20-30℃, with the best night temperature being 14-17℃. Growth stops below 10℃ and below 0℃, the leaf flesh freezes and the plant dies. Aloe Vera grows well in soil with good water permeability and aeration, high organic matter content, and a pH value between 6.5-7.2. It has strong drought resistance and can survive for several months without soil. During the growing period, Aloe Vera requires ample water but does not tolerate waterlogging.
I. Propagation methods of Aloe Vera: There are two methods of propagation for Aloe Vera, division and cutting.
Division propagation: The propagation of Aloe Vera is very easy, usually done during potting in spring (March-April) or in autumn and winter (September-November) by digging around the plant to remove young seedlings with roots and cutting the underground stem connecting them to the mother plant, which can then be planted. It easily takes root.
Cutting propagation: Generally, new buds 5-10cm long are cut from the axils of the mother plant and placed in a shaded area for 4-5 hours in summer and 1-2 days in winter to allow the cut to dry slightly before being planted in a shaded seedbed. Roots form in 20 days, and the seedlings can be transplanted after 2-3 months of growth in the seedbed.
II. Potting soil preparation: Indoor potted Aloe Vera requires loose and fertile sandy loam soil with good drainage and water retention, or a mixture of 40% decayed leaf soil, 30% garden soil, 20% compost or decomposed manure, and 10% sand.
III. Planting: Place broken tiles at the bottom of the pot, add a small amount of bones or fish bones as a base fertilizer to promote plant growth. Then fill in the potting soil, place the Aloe Vera seedling in the center of the pot, make sure the roots are spread out, fill the soil to half the pot, gently lift and shake the plant to compact the soil, plant it not too deep, keeping the rootstock level with the pot opening. Too shallow affects survival, too deep affects growth after transplanting. After planting, keep it in a shaded environment for a week, then move it to a sunny area once the roots have recovered.
IV. Management: New potted Aloe Vera should be watered sparingly. In spring, when growth is vigorous, water thoroughly and apply a dilute, decomposed oil cake liquid fertilizer every two weeks. In summer, when it is hot, Aloe Vera has a brief dormant period and should not be watered too much to avoid root rot. In hot summer weather, Aloe Vera can be placed in a well-ventilated semi-shaded outdoor area and watered generously. In autumn, reduce the amount of watering. In winter, place Aloe Vera in a sunny room, maintain a room temperature above 5℃, ensure good ventilation, keep the potting soil dry, and it can safely overwinter. Generally, potted Aloe Vera does not require additional fertilization. Aloe Vera should be repotted every two years, and for a period after repotting, when the roots have not yet recovered, watering should be controlled.
This article shares some small experiences on how to plant Aloe Vera and the planting and cultivation techniques, hoping to bring you help in your life!