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how to care for aloe plant Options
elliot clark
Posted: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 10:03:22 AM
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i need to know how to care for a aloe plant,watering,how often,etc.
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Posted: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 10:03:22 AM
Susan
Posted: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 7:31:52 PM
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I haven't grown this palnt in many years, so I sought an outside source for their care which should explain it all.

Growing an Aloe Vera (or most other Aloe species; there are more than 300 of them) is not a difficult matter, if a few basic rules are followed:

1) If grown in a pot, allow the root ball plenty of room to grow; aloes are voracious growers, and having space to do so is necessary. When you (re)pot allow a growing area three to five times the size of the root ball.

2) Use a well-draining soil. The number of soils A. vera will grow in is quite large, but a basic cactus mix available at home improvement centers is quite suitable. You may wish to experiment with other soils, but one thing it needs is to be well draining, so even a home-made concoction of 1/3 sand, 1/3 soil, and 1/3 pumice/gravel is better than straight potting soil. Aloes don't like to be cold and wet.

3) Pot up your aloe in soil up to the root ball. Use top dressing (gravel/pebbles) on top of the soil to give it a finished look, hold down the dirt, and reduce evaporation. Do not water a newly repotted aloe for a few days-this gives it a chance to get used to it's new home, as well as allowing time for any roots that have broken to seal themselves. After a few days, a light watering perhaps with some B-1 in the water is recommended.

4) Most aloes grow from April-October so water regularly with that in mind. The rest of the year, watering twice a month is sufficient. Water when the soil is dry,so that may mean 2x a month, or once a week, or some combination/ Aloes are very forgiving, they can go a long time without water, but they grow best with it.

If in doubt about watering, don't water. Also, remember #2 above-they shouldn't be cold and wet. Some aloes will withstand a freeze, but many will turn to mush, and we certainly don't want that.

5) Fertilize from April through Septrember, 2x a month, with a low-nitrogen fertilizer, heavily diluted. I use Miracle-Gro 15-30-15, diluted about 1 to 5.

6) Many aloes produce pups. When the pup is fully formed, detach it from the mother plant, let it callus over for a few days in a cool, dry area, and pot it up. If it has roots, pot as you would a regular aloe, allowing for the fact that it is smaller and should be in a suitably sized pot for it's size.

If it has no roots, let it callus over, place the cut/broken end ON the soil, and support it with top dressing. DO NOT WATER IT-it has no roots, so watering the soil will likely cause rot. Instead, mist it every few days. Roots should start forming within a month. When growth is evident, it can be watered.

7) Lastly, these are not ironclad rules. What works for me may not work for you. Experiment a little if you think that's what is needed-your growing conditions are likely different than mine, and aloes are very adaptable creatures, within limits, of course
cathy anderson
Posted: Monday, December 13, 2004 10:44:56 PM
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do aloe plants flower? my aloe plant has developed a 24 inch shoot from the middle of the plant and it has 3 buds on it like it is going to flower.
jim schiefer
Posted: Sunday, December 26, 2004 8:49:01 PM
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how can i care for an barbadoes aloe plant?
Courtney
Posted: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 5:57:39 PM
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Yes, aloe plants do flower. They can produce pretty orange-red flowers at anytime during their lifespan!
jennifer okubo
Posted: Saturday, August 20, 2005 3:42:41 PM
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hello... about a month ago my aloe plant was smashed right in the middle... i think it died.. so i was wondering if the leaves can produce roots and be replanted. Thanks!
jodi
Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005 8:04:08 AM
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i have an aloe plant the at the main stalk keeps getting longer and the leaves of the plant at the base keep dying ( which has the stalk looking long and bare) its doing quie well at the top though. why is this happening? what can i do do fix it? how do i pot it now that its so top heavy?
JANE
Posted: Thursday, November 10, 2005 4:14:44 PM
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I have an aloe plant it has grown really well, The leaves have got very heavy. do I need to cut them or shall i tie the plant together. so the leaves grow upwards. what can i do to sort it out. It seems to be groing like mad.
Sequoia
Posted: Saturday, June 24, 2006 8:25:20 PM
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This is my first aloe plant and rather small when I brought it home, I've re-potted it and it is really growing now. Can I clip the longer stems and put them in water to grow roots for another group.
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