How to grow Aloe Vera to thrive
For those concerned netizens, this article provides detailed information on how to grow Aloe Vera to thrive and the correct way to care for it at home. Here is a detailed introduction.
Aloe Vera is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant. Before growing, it is necessary to prepare well-draining, breathable neutral soil and a pot of appropriate size. During the cultivation process, there is no need to water excessively, follow the principle of watering only when the soil is dry; Aloe Vera loves light, it is best to place it in a well-ventilated and sunny area outdoors; at the same time, Aloe Vera is heat-tolerant, with the most suitable growth temperature around 20℃; when fertilizing Aloe Vera, it should be based on the plant's growth condition and the environment. The following will introduce in detail from four aspects: pot selection, soil selection, ambient temperature, and water and fertilizer management.
1. Pot Selection
Before growing Aloe Vera, it is very necessary to choose a pot of appropriate size. If the plant is large and the pot is small, it will inhibit the healthy growth of Aloe Vera; conversely, if the plant is small and the pot is large, it may lead to the soil not drying easily after watering each time, which can cause root rot over time and also make the plant look top-heavy and lack aesthetics.
2. Soil Selection
Aloe Vera prefers a loose, neutral soil that is well-draining and breathable and does not easily compact. You can mix humus soil, coarse sand, and garden soil in a ratio of 4:2:2. The proportion of coarse sand should not be too high because sandy soil can easily cause the loss of water and nutrients, leading to malnutrition.
3. Ambient Temperature
Aloe Vera loves light and heat. Sufficient sunlight is very beneficial for its growth, so it is necessary to maintain 6-7 hours of sunlight every day. However, this does not mean the more sunlight the better. In the midsummer, it is best to shade moderately to prevent sunburn. At the same time, it is sensitive to cold, and the best breeding environment is between 15-30℃, with the most suitable growth temperature being 20℃. If the temperature drops below 0℃, the plant can easily die; and if it exceeds 30℃, it can easily wither. In the summer, it is necessary to spray water to increase the humidity around the plant and lower the temperature.
4. Water and Fertilizer Management
Watering Aloe Vera should not be too frequent, water only when the soil is dry. In the midsummer, it can be watered once every 3-5 days, preferably after sunset. In winter, the watering frequency should be reduced slightly, and it is best to water at noon. In spring and autumn, the frequency and timing of watering are not limited and should be based on the condition of the plant. Fertilizing Aloe Vera mainly uses calcium phosphate or compound fertilizer. More fertilization is needed when the temperature is high and the growth is fast, and less when it is slow. Aloe Vera has few pests and diseases and generally does not require pesticides.
5. Propagation Methods
Common propagation methods include division and cutting propagation. Division propagation is usually done in early spring, taking the plant out of the potting soil, selecting healthy young plants from the base, and potting them separately without planting too deep. Watering should be minimal in the early stage after potting, and then water thoroughly after half a month. Cutting propagation takes longer to root, cutting a 10 cm piece of leaf from the top of the old plant as a cutting, applying garden lime to the cut surface, and drying it for two days before inserting it into the potting soil. Keeping the potting soil moist is sufficient.
The introduction above on how to grow Aloe Vera to thrive and the correct way to care for it at home, I hope you will like it!