What to Do When a Potted Aloe Is Overwatered? Solutions Differ by Stage

Whether in an office or an ordinary home, potted aloe is quite common. Why does everyone like growing aloe? Because of its unique appearance, emerald-green leaves, ability to absorb exhaust gases, and ease of cultivation. In the actual care process, it is very easy to make the mistake of overwatering a potted aloe. What should you do about it?

I. Solutions for overwatering a potted aloe

If you water too much, the solutions differ by stage. If you accidentally overwater in the early stage, you should immediately move the aloe into soil with suitable moisture, or take it out so the water can dissipate as quickly as possible. If, because you do not know how much you have been watering, you overwater for a long time and only discover it when the aloe starts to turn yellow or rot, then dealing with it is relatively troublesome.

Tea-colored patches or tea-colored rot on aloe leaves are early symptoms of rot. At this point you must stop watering and let it slowly recover. If there is no improvement after a few days or the patches grow larger, it means the roots have already begun to rot, and you must deal with it promptly by taking out the plant and transplanting it into dry soil. During transplanting, pay attention to the condition of the roots, and you must remove the roots that have already rotted.

If the leaves turn yellow or large areas rot and shrivel, you need to remove the rotted leaves and roots, then leave it to dry in a dry place for one to two days before replanting it in new soil. After replanting, be careful not to water; you can spray a small amount of water on the soil so that it is only slightly moist.

II. How to care for aloe so its leaves stay emerald green?

1. Choose a clay tile pot

If you want aloe to grow quickly, choosing a suitable flower pot is essential. Generally, use a breathable clay tile pot for planting aloe. Above all, avoid plastic pots, because plastic pots are not breathable and their drainage performance is not very good either, which will hinder the speed of aloe growth.

2. Loose sandy soil

Aloe prefers soil with good drainage that does not easily become compacted. Sandy soil is the most suitable choice, and you can also add some humus soil as a substrate. Aloe is relatively suited to growing in a neutral environment; the most suitable pH of the potting substrate is 6.8 to 7.0. Flower enthusiasts can adjust it according to actual conditions.

3. No light for newly grown aloe

Although aloe likes sunlight, newly grown aloe has not adapted to light, so it is not suitable to expose it to too strong sunlight. Just move it outside in the morning to get some sun, and after ten days to half a month, give it full sunlight.

4. Shade in summer

If you want to know how to grow aloe so it grows quickly, light is essential. Ordinarily, you can place the aloe outdoors in a ventilated spot with good sunlight. In summer, when the weather is hot, pay attention to shading, and in winter move it indoors and pay attention to keeping it warm.

5. Water less and keep warm in winter

This plant, aloe, is most afraid of waterlogging, so watering must be done in moderation. In ordinary care, watering once a week is enough, and it should also be determined according to actual conditions. When the potting soil begins to dry out, you can water it. However, in winter, be careful to keep the soil dry often, otherwise the roots can easily rot.

Aloe is afraid of cold, and its most suitable growth temperature is 15 to 35°C, so in winter you must move it indoors for care. Generally, when the temperature reaches 0°C, it will stop growing or even suffer frost damage, so in winter you must do a good job of keeping it warm.

6. Fertilization issues

Aloe does not like fertilizer, so generally you do not need to fertilize it. However, during the growing season you can apply 2 to 3 times a diluted liquid fertilizer that has been fully decomposed. If you have rice-washing water, then the effect is even better. Be sure not to apply fertilizer too concentrated. Also, if it gets on the leaves while fertilizing, wipe it off promptly to avoid corroding the leaves.