How to Care for Aloe Vera
The editor will discuss how to care for aloe vera and the steps for cultivating aloe vera, offering an introduction to green plants and flowers. Details are as follows:
Aloe vera is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant. Before cultivation, prepare well-draining, breathable neutral soil and a flower pot of appropriate size. There is no need to water excessively during the cultivation process, follow the principle of watering only when the soil is dry; aloe vera enjoys sunlight, so it's best to place it in a well-ventilated and sunny area outdoors; it is heat-tolerant, with the most suitable growth temperature around 20℃; when fertilizing aloe vera, it should be based on its growth conditions and the environment. Below, we will introduce the selection of flower pots, soil choice, environmental temperature, and water and fertilizer management.
1. Flower Pot Selection
Before cultivating aloe vera, choosing a flower pot of appropriate size is essential. If the aloe vera plant is large and the pot is small, it will inhibit the healthy growth of the plant; conversely, if the plant is small and the pot is large, it may lead to the soil not drying out after watering, eventually causing root rot and making the plant look top-heavy and unattractive.
2. Soil Selection
Aloe vera prefers well-draining, breathable, and loose neutral soil that does not easily compact. A mix of humus soil, coarse sand, and garden soil in a ratio of 4:2:2 can be used. The proportion of coarse sand should not be too high because sandy soil can lead to the loss of water and nutrients, causing malnutrition.
3. Environmental Temperature
Aloe vera enjoys sunlight and heat. Sufficient sunlight is very beneficial for its growth, so it should be kept in sunlight for 6-7 hours a day. However, this does not mean more sunlight is better; during the hot summer, it is best to provide some shade to prevent sunburn. It is also sensitive to cold, so the cultivation environment should be kept between 15-30℃, with the most suitable growth temperature being 20℃. Below 0℃, the plant can easily die; above 30℃, it can easily wither. In summer,喷 water should be used to increase the humidity around the plant and lower the temperature.
4. Water and Fertilizer Management
Aloe vera should not be watered too frequently, only when the soil is dry. In the hot summer, water every 3-5 days, preferably after sunset. Reduce the watering frequency in winter, and it is best to water at noon. In spring and autumn, the frequency and time of watering are not fixed, depending on the condition of the plant. Fertilizing aloe vera mainly involves calcium phosphate or compound fertilizer. More fertilizer should be applied when the temperature is high and the plant grows fast, and less when it is the opposite. Aloe vera has few pests and diseases and usually does not require pesticides.
5. Propagation Methods
Common propagation methods include division and cutting. Division is usually done in early spring, where the plant is removed from the potting soil, and healthy young plants from the base are transplanted into new pots without planting too deep. Watering should be minimal in the initial stage, and watered thoroughly after about two weeks. Cutting propagation takes longer to root, where a 10 cm section of leaf is cut from the top of the old plant and the cut surface is dusted with wood ash and left to dry for two days before being inserted into the potting soil. Keeping the soil moist is sufficient.
The above is the complete introduction to how to care for aloe vera and the steps for cultivating it. I hope it can be of help to you. Don't forget to check out more gardening experience and knowledge!