Key Points for Growing Decorative Aloe
The article brought to you by the editor is about the succulent plant aloe, focusing on the key points for growing decorative aloe. If there are any mistakes, please feel free to correct them!
Sunlight
Aloe is a heliophilous plant, therefore, its growing environment should have good lighting, which is quite different from most indoor plants. In general, the better the sunlight, the healthier the growth.
Temperature
Aloe can adapt to a wide range of temperatures and can grow well in most parts of China. However, if you want the aloe to bloom or produce seedlings, it should be allowed to have a brief dormant period at 5℃ in winter.
Water
Because aloe has thick and juicy leaves that can store water, it is highly drought-resistant. Therefore, there is no need to water it as frequently as other indoor ornamental leaf plants. It is usually sufficient to water when the potting soil is completely dry.
Fertilization
During the growing period, it is only necessary to apply a fast-acting chemical fertilizer every 2 weeks. Aloe grows slowly, so it only needs to be repotted every 2-3 years in spring. When repotting, be careful not to plant the aloe too deep, as this can easily cause rot. Well-draining sandy soil is best for potting.
Propagation
Aloe can be propagated by sowing and dividing methods, but since it is not easy to collect seeds by oneself, the division method is commonly used. This can be done at the same time as repotting. Small plants will appear at the base of the plant. When the young plants grow to 8cm high, they can be cut from the mother plant and planted in the cultivation soil, placed in a semi-shaded environment, and kept with slightly moist potting soil.
Cultivation Methods
Generally, the popular decorative aloe varieties are small, so they are often grown as small potted plants. Other precautions include being careful not to let water accumulate in the rosette-shaped leaf clusters when watering, as this can easily cause the base of the plant to rot. Some short-leaved aloe varieties can easily fall over due to overgrowth, which is a normal situation.
The detailed explanation of the key points for growing decorative aloe shared above, I hope this article can bring you help in green plant management!