How to grow aloe vera
1. Soil: The pot soil for cultivating aloe vera should have good drainage, water retention, air permeability and fertilizer storage properties. Soil with poor drainage and air permeability will cause root respiration to be blocked, root rot and necrosis, but too much sand Poor soil often results in the loss of water and nutrients, causing poor aloe vera growth. The commonly used potting soil formula is: the ratio of humus, garden loam, and river sand is 2:2:1. Sawdust or cooked coal ash can also be used instead of river sand. In addition, the potting soil needs to be relatively clean and hygienic, and the soil can be disinfected and sterilized before planting.
2. Choose a pot: It is best to use mud pots for potted aloe vera. Porcelain pots and plastic pots are not suitable because they have poor air permeability and are prone to root rot. Before using a new pot, it should be soaked with water. Otherwise, it will not be easy to water the pot after placing it in the pot. The semi-dry and semi-wet pot walls will damage the new roots.
3. Seedling selection: Seedling selection is also the key to aloe vera cultivation. Strong aloe vera seedlings should have short and thick leaves, dark green color, and more than four autogenous roots.
4. Potting: Potting means placing the seeds in the pot. Potting should be done in spring and summer. Potting should not be done in winter because the temperature is too low, which is not conducive to the occurrence of new roots. Before placing the pot, you can place a piece of broken tile on the bottom of the pot and press it on the permeable hole in the bottom of the pot, which can maintain drainage without leaking the pot soil. When potting, first place the aloe vera seedling upright in the center of the pot and try to stretch the root system. After filling the soil to cover the roots, gently lift the seedling upward and compact it slightly so that the roots are in close contact with the pot soil from top to bottom and left and right. Then add the soil to the pot until it is 2 to 3 centimeters from the edge of the pot, and be careful to straighten the seedlings as much as possible. Finally, slowly pour water into the pot.
It is worth noting that the aloe vera that has just been potted should not be exposed to direct sunlight to avoid water loss and excessive consumption of nutrients. It should be maintained in a semi-shade place. After the seedlings take root, they can be exposed to more sunlight.
5. Repotting: Potted aloe vera cultivation generally needs to be repotted once every 1 to 2 years. It is better to repot every spring from April to May and autumn from September to October. When repotting, keep the soil intact and try not to damage the root system. After changing the pot, it needs to be maintained in a semi-shady place for a period of time, and then moved to a sunny place for maintenance after the seedlings are completely slowed down.
6. Temperature: Aloe vera is afraid of cold because it originally grew in a frost-free desert environment all year round. Aloe vera stops growing when the room temperature is 5 degrees Celsius. At zero degrees, the life process will be blocked. The most suitable growth temperature for aloe vera cultivation is 15-5 degrees Celsius and the humidity should be 45-5 degrees Celsius.
7. Watering: Aloe vera is called a "plant that survives drought", so watering less often has little effect. However, if water accumulates in the soil, it will cause root rot and drowning. In winter, you can water once every 15 to 20 days. You can increase the water spray on the leaves appropriately, water as little as possible, and keep the pot soil dry; in spring, you can usually water once every 5 to 7 days. The principle of watering is not to dry or not to water. Then water it thoroughly; in summer, it needs to be watered once every 2 to 3 days, and you should also pay attention to being less exposed to the hot sun to reduce water loss; the watering method of aloe vera in autumn is basically similar to that in spring, and the pot soil should be kept dry and wet at the same time.
It is not advisable to water too much before the aloe vera turns green and takes root. The watering time is generally in the early morning and evening. The water temperature should be close to the temperature of the pot soil. Remember to plant aloe vera in pots, rather dry than wet.
8. Sunshine: Aloe vera needs sufficient sunlight to grow. Except for the newly planted aloe vera, which should not be exposed to the sun (for about half a month of cultivation), it can only see the sun in the morning. It can be exposed to more sun at other times. The more sun you have, the better it will grow.
9. Fertilizer: If you want to breed well, fertilizer is indispensable. Aloe vera can use fertilizers of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and some trace elements. In order to ensure that aloe vera is a green and natural plant, fermented fertilizers can be used as much as possible. Organic fertilizers, such as cake fertilizer, chicken manure, compost, etc.
10. Overwintering maintenance: If potted aloe vera is placed indoors, it can generally survive the winter safely. It is important to remember that 5°C is the minimum safety line for aloe vera to survive the winter. When the temperature is above 5°C, some corresponding measures to keep warm should be taken. In winter, you should water as little or even as little as possible. You can spray water on the leaves appropriately, and try to let the potted aloe vera see as much sunlight as possible.
1. Precautions:
Do not expose the newly potted aloe vera to direct sunlight. It should be maintained in a semi-shade place. After the seedlings take root, they can be exposed to more sunlight.
It is not advisable to water too much before aloe vera turns green and takes root. Watering time is generally in the early morning and evening. The water temperature is preferably close to the temperature of the pot soil. Remember to plant aloe vera in pots, rather dry than wet.
2. How to plant aloe vera:
1. Pot soil configuration: Aloe vera is limited to a small pot under potting conditions. The potting soil suitable for growth must have a fertilizer-preserving effect. It has functions such as water retention, drainage, and breathability. The pH is suitable for neutrality. The materials commonly used to prepare potting soil include field mud, garden mud, humus (fermented and retting fallen leaves, straw, sawdust, etc.), river sand or media ash. The preparation method is that the ratio of field (garden) mud, humus, and river sand (or media ash) is 4:4:2 respectively. The preparation is based on local material sources and does not affect the fertilizer, water, and air of the pot soil. Can be changed appropriately.
2. Flower pot selection: Before potting, choose a suitable flower pot according to the variety being planted. Green leaf aloe vera plants are larger and can be planted for more than a year and a half. The leaves are 50 to 80 centimeters long, and a single leaf weighs about 500 grams. The flowerpot should be larger, with a diameter of 25 to 30 centimeters. Chinese aloe vera and arborvitae aloe vera plants are small, and the diameter of the flower pot is about 20 cm. You can also use small flower pots when planting, and then transfer to larger flower pots when the aloe vera plants grow to be asymmetrical with the flower pots.
3. Planting method: When potting, first fill two-thirds of the pot with soil, place the seedlings in the pot, spread the root system, then fill with the remaining pot soil, and place the seedlings in the pot. Gently lift the pot soil and compact it slightly to ensure that the seedlings do not fall over. Then pour a small amount of root-fixing water and place it in a shaded place. After the aloe vera begins to grow, move it to a sunny place. However, you need to be protected from the scorching sun in summer. Aloe vera is more sensitive to sunlight when it is a seedling, so it needs to be shaded appropriately. After planting, some aloe vera leaves will change color. This is the slow seedling stage of aloe vera. When it begins to grow normally, the leaf color will improve.
3. Daily care of aloe vera:
1. Watering: The aloe vera pot soil should be kept moist. Too much water is not good for the root system of aloe vera, because aloe vera is resistant to drought and afraid of waterlogging. Features: When watering is needed, water gently along the edge of the pot but do not flush hard to prevent the pot soil from easily hardening and affecting the breathability of the pot soil. When the pot soil becomes hardened, loosen the soil in a timely manner to a depth of about 1.5 cm.
2. Fertilization: During the growth process of aloe vera, the nutrients in the pot soil alone are not enough. Only proper fertilization can meet the growth needs. Organic fertilizers are better, such as peanut bran (cake), which has good fertilizer effect. , and clean and hygienic. Before application, fully soak in water for fermentation, then dilute with water and apply. If applying chemical fertilizer, apply it at a concentration of 0.1. The frequency of fertilization should be determined according to the growth of aloe vera. If the leaves are often needed to be used, the frequency should be more, one Apply once a month or so.
3. Picking: The standard for picking aloe vera leaves is that they must be grown for one year or have more than 12 leaves. Green-leaf aloe vera must be grown for more than one and a half years, and the picked leaves must be full and smooth. , the gravy is clear and transparent, so that the content of various aloe vera ingredients is high and the utilization effect is good. When picking, work from bottom to top. Use a knife to make a cut on both sides of the base of the leaves, and then gently break them off. The number of picks should be such that the plant maintains 12 leaves.
4. Repotting: Potted aloe vera cultivation generally needs to be repotted once every 1 to 2 years. It is better to repot every spring from April to May and autumn from September to October. When repotting, keep the soil intact and try not to damage the root system. After changing the pot, it needs to be maintained in a semi-shady place for a period of time, and then moved to a sunny place for maintenance after the seedlings are completely slowed down.
5. Sunlight: Aloe vera needs sufficient sunlight to grow. Except for the newly planted aloe vera, which should not be exposed to the sun (for about half a month of cultivation), it can only see the sun in the morning. It can be exposed to more sun at other times. The more sun you have, the better it will grow.
6. Fertilizer: If you want to breed well, fertilizer is indispensable. Aloe vera can use fertilizers of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and some trace elements. In order to ensure that aloe vera is a green and natural plant, fermented fertilizers can be used as much as possible. Organic fertilizers, such as cake fertilizer, chicken manure, compost, etc.
7. Overwintering: If potted aloe vera is placed indoors, it can generally survive the winter safely. It is important to remember that 5°C is the minimum safety line for aloe vera to survive the winter. When the temperature is above 5°C, some corresponding measures to keep warm should be taken. In winter, you should water as little or even as little as possible. You can spray water on the leaves appropriately, and try to let the potted aloe vera see as much sunlight as possible.