Aloe Cultivation Techniques and Precautions
An introduction to the cultivation techniques and precautions for aloe vera, with details as follows:
Aloe Cultivation Techniques and Precautions
Aloe vera is an evergreen succulent herbaceous plant. Leaves are usually lanceolate or short and broad, with spiky teeth on the edges. Inflorescences are umbel, racemose, spicate, or paniculate, with red, yellow, or red spotted flowers, six petals, and six pistils. The perianth base is often fused into a tube.
Aloe Cultivation Conditions
Aloe vera is originally a tropical plant that dislikes the cold, but it is also a very resilient plant, easy to live. Of course, to make aloe vera grow quickly and propagate more, it is necessary to cultivate it carefully according to its characteristics.
1. Soil. Aloe vera prefers to grow in loose soil with good drainage and does not harden easily. Some broken limestone can be mixed into the soil, such as decayed leaf ash. Soil with poor drainage and aeration can cause root respiratory obstruction and necrosis of decayed roots, but too much sandy soil often leads to the loss of water and nutrients, causing poor growth of aloe vera.
2. Temperature. Aloe vera is sensitive to cold. It grows best in a frost-free environment. It will freeze when the temperature drops below 0°C. The optimal growth temperature is between 15-25°C, with humidity of 45-75%.
3. Moisture. Like all plants, aloe vera needs water but dislikes excess moisture. In rainy seasons, humid conditions, or when drainage is poor, it is prone to leaf contraction, stem and root rot, and even death.
4. Sunlight. Aloe vera needs ample sunlight to grow. Note that newly planted aloe vera should not be exposed to direct sunlight. It is best to see the sun only in the morning, and after ten to fifteen days, it will gradually adapt to the sun and grow robustly in the sunlight.
Aloe Breeding Management
1. Fertilization
Fertilizers can be divided into organic and inorganic. Organic fertilizers are nutritionally comprehensive but have a slow effect. Inorganic fertilizers, also known as chemical fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate, urea, diammonium phosphate, etc., have a high effective component, a quick effect, and require less dosage. The combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers yields good results. To ensure the quality of aloe vera, chemical fertilizers are generally not used.
There are two methods of fertilization: base fertilizer and top dressing. Organic fertilizers are often used as base fertilizers. Base fertilizers are mixed thoroughly with potting soil before planting. Generally, the ratio of potting soil to organic fertilizer is about 10:1, mixed together in the pot. Organic fertilizers must be fully fermented, or they may cause burning of the seedlings. Top dressing involves making the fertilizer into a liquid and diluting it before application. Generally, soybean cake water or a solution of less than 50% horse hoof iron water is used for watering. Fertilizer solutions should not be too concentrated, as they can cause "fertilizer damage." Especially when foliarly applied, fertilizer concentration should not exceed 0.1%. Top dressing is done every 30 days or according to the growth condition of aloe vera and different seasons. Generally, aloe vera grows faster in spring and autumn, so the frequency of top dressing can be increased. In winter, aloe vera grows slowly, so less or no top dressing is needed.
2. Watering
Aloe vera has strong drought resistance. It can survive without water for 3-5 months without drying, but growth is inhibited, leaves become dry and juiceless, reducing its utility. If the soil is too wet for an extended period, the roots will rot, and the entire plant will die. Therefore, it is necessary to control water according to different growth and development stages of the plant and natural conditions. If the environmental air humidity is high and the evaporation intensity is low, less watering is needed; if the air is dry, the temperature is high, and air circulation is strong, watering should be done promptly to prevent rapid water loss from the potting soil and leaves. Make sure to water when the soil is dry, and water thoroughly, doing so reasonably.
In the growing season, the amount and frequency of irrigation increase. In spring and autumn, when the temperature is between 15-25°C, watering can be done every 5-7 days. In summer, with high temperatures and a high evaporation rate, watering should be done every 2-3 days. If needed, water the leaves twice a day in the morning and evening, and be careful to prevent exposure to direct sunlight. If the potting soil is moderately dry, these plants can survive the winter.
Watering time: In spring and summer, it should be done in the morning and evening, and in winter, it should be done at noon. It is best to use deep well water or rainwater for watering, and tap water should be exposed to sunlight before reuse. After watering, pay attention to loosening the soil to reduce water evaporation and promote the formation of new roots. A single or double-toothed small rake made of bamboo poles and No. 8 iron wire can be used to loosen the soil, to a depth of 1.5-2 centimeters. Loosening the soil can break the capillary, maintaining the optimal water content of the potting soil.
The above introduction to the cultivation techniques and precautions for aloe vera is hoped to provide some knowledge about flowers for flower enthusiasts.