How to propagate Aloe vera faster
Compared to the green plant cultivation content of Aloe vera propagation methods for most people, the editor will introduce the following for netizens.
Aloe vera, also known as Barbados Aloe, American Aloe, and Fanla Aloe, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Liliaceae family Aloe genus, native to the Curacao Islands and Barbados Island in the West Indies. The leaves grow in clusters at the top of the stem, erect or nearly erect, each weighing up to 0.5-1.5 kilograms, thick and juicy, with high edible and medicinal value. Let's take a look at the cultivation methods of Aloe vera together!
Growth habits of Aloe vera
Aloe vera thrives in well-drained, breathable soil with high organic matter content and a pH value of 6.5-7.2. It prefers sunlight, tolerate semi-shade, avoids direct sunlight and excessive shade, with an optimal growth temperature of 20-30°C and a night temperature of 14-17°C. Below 10°C, growth basically stops, and below 0°C, the leaves will freeze and die. It has strong drought resistance, can survive for several months out of the soil, requires sufficient water during the growing period, but does not tolerate waterlogging. The cultivation environment should not be polluted and ensure proper ventilation.
Propagation methods of Aloe vera
1. Division: Two-year-old Aloe vera plants can produce 10-15 tillers within a year. When the tillers have 4-5 small leaves and 3-5 small roots, they can be separated from the mother plant and transplanted into the field. Division propagation can be carried out throughout the growing period of Aloe vera, but spring and autumn are the most suitable due to the temperature conditions, making the seedlings recover faster and have a higher survival rate.
2. Cutting: After Aloe vera grows tall, you can cut off the top 10-12 centimeters of the stem or cut off young shoots 10-15 centimeters long from the leaf axils, then hang them upside down in a shady place for a week to allow the cut to shrink and dry before inserting them into a shaded seedbed to promote root growth. After about 20 days of cutting, keep the soil moist and fertilize appropriately to promote seedling growth and cultivate strong seedlings.
3. Leaf insertion: Cut a small opening a few millimeters wide at the base of an Aloe vera leaf, tear it off along the center, and insert it into sterilized sand. At temperatures above 15°C and in a semi-shady environment, it can root within a month and sprout at the latest within five months. This method is very slow and is rarely used.
Cultivation methods of Aloe vera
1. Soil: Aloe vera prefers to grow in well-drained, loose soil that does not compact. Poorly drained and breathable soil can obstruct root respiration, causing rot and necrosis, while excessive sandy soil often leads to the loss of water and nutrients, causing poor growth of Aloe vera.
2. Temperature: Aloe vera is susceptible to cold and grows in environments without frost all year round. It stops growing at around 5°C and its life process is hindered at 0°C. If it drops below 0°C, it will freeze. The optimal growth temperature is 15-35°C, with humidity between 45-85%.
3. Water: Aloe vera requires sufficient water during its growing period but does not tolerate waterlogging. Before transplanting, both the seedbed and the transplanting site should be watered first, then transplant when the surface soil is slightly dry. In rainy seasons or poor drainage conditions, the leaves can easily wither, the branches and roots rot, and even die.
4. Sunlight: Aloe vera needs plenty of sunlight to grow, but newly planted Aloe vera should not be exposed to direct sunlight. It's best to expose it to the morning sun only, and after ten to fifteen days, it will gradually adapt and grow robustly in the sun.
5. Fertilizer: Aloe vera not only requires nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium but also some trace elements. To ensure that Aloe vera is a green and natural plant, it is best to use fermented organic fertilizers such as cake fertilizer, chicken manure, and compost. Earthworm manure is even more suitable for planting Aloe vera.
The above is about how to propagate Aloe vera faster and the experience of green plant cultivation methods for Aloe vera, hoping to help you in your daily life!