Aloe Vera Cultivation Methods, Precautions, Benefits, Effects, and Whether It Blooms: A Detailed Guide
Aloe vera is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the Liliaceae family. Aloe vera is a rising star among plants, combining edible, medicinal, cosmetic, and ornamental uses. Aloe vera likes sunlight; if kept in a place without daylight for a long time, its growth will be small and spindly. During the cultivation of aloe vera, appropriate fertilization can promote vigorous growth. Below, the editor introduces aloe vera cultivation methods and precautions.
1. Selection of flower pots for aloe vera cultivation
(1) Requirements for pot material: Clay pots, plastic pots, porcelain pots, and ceramic pots can all be used.
(2) Pot size: Aloe vera can be planted in pots with a diameter of 14—20 cm.
2. Potting soil preparation for aloe vera cultivation
Aloe vera likes fertile, well-drained sandy soil and is relatively tolerant of saline-alkaline conditions. For home use, the following formulas can be used: garden soil:leaf mold:sand = 4:4:2; peat soil:leaf mold:sand:perlite = 4:3:2:1.
3. Watering methods for aloe vera cultivation
Because aloe vera stems and leaves are rich in water, it does not have high water requirements. Aloe vera likes relatively dry soil, is drought-tolerant, dislikes waterlogging, and likes a dry air environment. After spring temperatures rise, aloe vera resumes growth, and the water supply can be slightly increased; the potting soil should preferably be moist but on the dry side. In summer, keep the potting soil moist, and water alternately between dry and wet periods. At the same time, because aloe vera likes a dry air environment, it should be placed separately from other plants that like humid air.
In autumn, keep the potting soil on the dry side. After autumn temperatures gradually cool, reduce the water supply until it remains dry but not parched. In winter and early spring, when temperatures are relatively low (above 5°C), aloe vera is in a semi-dormant state, so watering should not be excessive; it is best for the potting soil to be dry but not parched, and only water slightly after it has dried out completely.
4. Fertilization methods for aloe vera cultivation
Aloe vera does not have high fertilizer requirements, but a lack of fertilizer is also detrimental to its growth.
During the peak growing season, apply topdressing 4—5 times with well-rotted liquid fertilizer diluted 20 times, or 1 time with 1000-times “Flower Duoduo” general-purpose fertilizer.
If sufficient base fertilizer is applied at planting time, fertilization may not be needed during the growing season. The base fertilizer can be well-rotted organic fertilizer such as soybean cake fertilizer. The application rate of base fertilizer is 1/10 of the potting soil.
Each year during the warm spring growing season, apply liquid fertilizer 3-4 times. Do not apply topdressing in summer and autumn, otherwise the stem nodes will be too long, the leaves sparse, and the plant prone to lodging.
5. Light requirements for aloe vera cultivation
Aloe vera likes light. In spring and autumn, receiving more direct sunlight makes it grow robustly; in summer, placing it in a well-ventilated semi-shaded place is more favorable for its growth. In the north, after autumn it should be moved indoors for care, placed in a sunny spot by the window; in winter, place it indoors in a place with good light and a room temperature not lower than 10°C.
6. Precautions for aloe vera cultivation
(1) Aloe vera grows relatively quickly, so it should be repotted once each year when it is moved outdoors in spring. The potting soil can be a mixed growing medium of 3 parts leaf mold, 3 parts garden soil, and 4 parts river sand, or 3 parts leaf mold, 2 parts garden soil, 3 parts river sand, and 2 parts perlite, with a small amount of fully rotted organic fertilizer such as chicken manure, bone meal, or oil residue applied as base fertilizer.
(2) If the growing medium is changed once a year and nutrients are sufficient, topdressing may be omitted or reduced during the growing period. Growth is fastest in summer and autumn, so apply 1 time of dilute liquid fertilizer every 15-20 days. For example, apply 10%-15% fully fermented and rotted cake fertilizer water, or 0.1% urea fertilizer water plus 0.1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate fertilizer water, etc. No fertilization is needed in winter and spring.
(3) Summer is the peak growing season for aloe vera, so attention should be paid to the supply of water and fertilizer. When sunlight is strong, appropriately shade it from midday light. Aloe vera should not be cultivated together with moisture-loving plants. When it blooms, simply do not let the soil become excessively dry.
(4) In autumn, ensure sufficient light and water appropriately. Aloe vera is not cold-tolerant. After temperatures drop, it should be moved in time to a closed balcony or room with light, and attention should be paid to controlling water so that the potting soil is dry but not parched.
(5) Aloe vera needs sufficient sunlight to grow. It should be noted that newly planted aloe vera should not be exposed to the sun; it is best to let it receive sunlight only in the morning, then gradually increase light after 10 days. For home pot cultivation, placing it on a balcony or outdoor windowsill in spring and autumn to receive direct sunlight makes it grow robustly; in summer, move it to a well-ventilated semi-shaded place; in winter, place it indoors in a place with sufficient light, with room temperature preferably not lower than 10°C.
(6) Aloe vera requires sufficient sunlight throughout the year. In spring, it is best to move it outdoors, place it on a south-facing balcony, or place it on a south-facing windowsill, but avoid rain. Although aloe vera does not like excessive moisture, during the growing period, especially under strong light, it needs sufficient water. If you want to encourage the plant to spread outward, you can evenly cut away some of the overly dense leaves in the center. Doing so also prevents the plant from developing mold and rot under strong light due to excessive leaf density.
7. Propagation methods for aloe vera cultivation
Aloe vera can be propagated by division or cuttings.
Division propagation can be carried out together with repotting in early spring. The method is to knock the plant out of the pot, remove the old plant, select small offsets growing from the base and pot them separately; the planting depth should be just enough to stabilize the young plants. Water sparingly and place the divided plants in a warm, humid place. On the condition that the plants do not wilt, spray water on the leaf surfaces and the surface of the potting soil after 4-5 days, and water thoroughly after another 10-15 days.
Cuttings can be taken between April and May. Cut leaves about 8-10 cm long from the top of the old plant as cuttings, coat the cut ends with plant ash, let them dry for 1-2 days, and after the cut ends shrink and dry, insert them into plain sand. Keep the potting soil moist, and roots will form in about 20-30 days.
Aloe vera benefits and effects
1. Sterilization. Aloe tincture is a substance with strong antibacterial properties. It can kill fungi, molds, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, and inhibit and eliminate the development and reproduction of pathogens.
2. Anti-inflammatory. The bradykininase in aloe vera combined with angiotensin can resist inflammation. In particular, the polysaccharides in aloe vera can enhance the human body's resistance to disease.
3. Beauty care. Aloe polysaccharides and vitamins have good nourishing, moisturizing, and whitening effects on human skin. In particular, for acne, the biggest worry of young girls, aloe vera has a very good effect on eliminating it.
4. Detoxification. Because of its bitter, cold nature and heat-clearing properties, aloe vera has the effect of inhibiting excessive immune reactions and enhancing the phagocytic function of phagocytes, so it can remove metabolic waste from the body.
5. Stomach-strengthening and laxative. Effective components in aloe vera such as aloin and aloe-emodin play a role in improving appetite and gently relaxing the large intestine.
6. Cardiac strengthening and blood activation. Calcium isocitrate and other components in aloe vera have the effects of strengthening the heart, promoting blood circulation, softening hardened arteries, lowering cholesterol levels, and dilating capillaries, thereby making blood circulation smooth, reducing cholesterol values, lightening the burden on the heart, keeping blood pressure normal, and removing “toxins” from the blood.
7. Immunity and regeneration. Aloesin A, wound hormones, and glycan peptide mannan (Ke-2), etc. have the effects of resisting viral infection and promoting wound healing and recovery. They have the functions of reducing inflammation and sterilizing, clearing heat and reducing swelling, softening the skin, and maintaining cell vitality. Gel polysaccharides combined with traumatic acid also have wound-healing activity.
8. Immune and anti-tumor. The viscous polysaccharides in aloe vera have the effects of improving immunity and inhibiting and destroying the growth of abnormal cells, thereby achieving anti-cancer purposes.
9. Sun protection. Total anthraquinones in aloe vera can absorb UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays, preventing skin from being sunburned and preventing the formation of sun spots.
10. Anti-aging. Rich in monosaccharides and polysaccharides, vitamins, and minerals, it has a clear therapeutic effect on cell aging and reduces the formation of wrinkles.
Is aloe vera blooming a good omen?
In folk tradition, aloe vera blooming is indeed a good omen, just like the sago palm blooming. In fact, aloe vera blooming is still very rare, because aloe vera is not originally a flowering plant like a rose or peony, so blooming is a very rare event that requires the right timing, right place, and right conditions to occur. Therefore, people who see aloe vera bloom are said to have encountered a good omen, a sign of blessing, meaning that the wishes of those who see it will come true, and people can also enjoy good fortune and have everything go smoothly, etc.
When does aloe vera bloom?
Generally, aloe vera planted for more than 3 years can produce beautiful yellow or red flowers. Aloe vera usually blooms around May. The scape of aloe vera is 60-90 cm tall, unbranched or sometimes slightly branched, with a raceme bearing dozens of flowers. The bracts are nearly lanceolate, with sharp tips. The flowers hang down, are sparsely arranged, pale yellow with red spots. The perianth is about 2.5 cm long, and the tips of the lobes curve slightly outward. The stamens are nearly equal to or slightly longer than the perianth, and the style clearly extends beyond the perianth.
How to grow aloe vera so that it blooms?
1. Soil: Aloe vera does not have strict soil requirements, but soil with poor drainage and aeration will block root respiration and lead to root rot and death, while overly sandy soil often causes the loss of water and nutrients, resulting in poor growth of aloe vera.
2. Pot selection: For potted aloe vera, clay pots are best; porcelain pots and plastic pots are not suitable because of poor air permeability and susceptibility to root rot. Before using a new pot, it should be soaked thoroughly with water; otherwise, after potting, watering will not easily penetrate the pot, and the half-dry, half-wet pot wall will damage new roots.
3. Temperature: Aloe vera is afraid of cold, because it originally grew for a long time in a frost-free desert environment year-round. At a room temperature of 5 degrees, aloe vera stops growing; at zero degrees, its life processes will be impaired. The most suitable growing temperature for aloe vera cultivation is 15-5°C, and the humidity should be 45-5%.
4. Watering: Aloe vera is called a “plant that cannot die of drought.” Not watering or watering less has little effect, but if water accumulates in the soil, it will cause root rot and drowning. In winter, water once every 15 to 20 days, appropriately increase leaf surface spraying, water as little as possible, and keep the potting soil dry.
5. Light: Aloe vera needs sufficient sunlight to grow. Apart from newly planted aloe vera, which should not be exposed to the sun (about half a month after planting) and can only receive sunlight in the morning, at other times it can be exposed to more sunlight; the more sun it gets, the better it grows.
6. Fertilizer: Aloe vera can use fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and some trace elements. To ensure that aloe vera remains a green, natural plant, use fermented organic fertilizers as much as possible, such as cake fertilizer, chicken manure, compost, etc.
7. Overwintering: The minimum safe line for aloe vera overwintering is 5°C. When the temperature is above 5°C, corresponding warmth measures should be taken. In winter, water as little as possible or even not at all, appropriately spray the leaf surfaces, and let potted aloe vera receive as much sunlight as possible.
8. Repotting: Potted aloe vera generally needs repotting once every 1-2 years. It is best to repot in spring from April to May and in autumn from September to October each year. When repotting, keep the soil ball intact and try not to damage the root system.