How to Grow Aloe arborescens? Latest Cultivation Methods Explained

Aloe arborescens, also known as Aloe arborescens, Nongzaohua, Dragon Claw Chrysanthemum, and other names, is a perennial plant of the genus Aloe in the Liliaceae family. It has been medically tested and found to contain many active ingredients. Besides being eaten raw and juiced, the leaves can also be processed into health foods or cosmetics, etc. Moreover, because it is easy to handle, it is also suitable as a home-grown vegetable for eating. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods of Aloe arborescens!

Growth Habits of Aloe arborescens

Aloe arborescens is native to South Africa and is mainly distributed in Africa, especially in the arid regions of southern Africa, and is also found in southern Asia. It has strong drought tolerance and cold tolerance, and is not tolerant of waterlogging; overly wet soil easily causes root rot. Its growth rate is average. It likes warmth and fears cold. When the temperature drops to 15°C, it stops growing, and when it drops below 0°C, it begins to die. Therefore, in northern regions it must be grown in greenhouses or potted indoors. It likes light, and its growth requires sufficient sunlight and air. It is suitable for growing in sandy soil with strong air permeability and good water permeability. Its fertilizer requirement is not large, mainly organic fertilizer, supplemented by trace element fertilizers.

Propagation Methods of Aloe arborescens

1. Division: The most suitable time for dividing Aloe arborescens is spring and autumn. When the temperature is 20-25°C and the aloe sprouts new plants, pull the plant out of the soil, clear the soil from the roots, use a sterilized blade to cut the young plants away from the mother plant and plant them into the soil, then water thoroughly. They can take root and survive in about 1 month.

2. Cuttings: For cuttings of Aloe arborescens, choose clear weather and cut the aloe from the middle of the stem, or cut an 8-10 cm small shoot, peel off the leaves from the lower 5 cm, place it in a cool and ventilated place, and after it dries slightly, insert it into the soil. Place it in a warm place sheltered from wind and rain, water thoroughly to make it take root, and in about 1 month the roots can sprout and it will survive.

Cultivation Methods of Aloe arborescens

1. Potting soil: The potting soil for growing Aloe arborescens must have water retention, fertilizer retention and air permeability, with a pH value between 6.8 and 7.0. Generally use leaf mold plus garden soil and river sand (ratio 2:2:1), then disinfect with 40% formalin, seal it tightly with plastic film for two days, and then air-dry it.

2. Potting: It is better to pot Aloe arborescens in spring and summer, with an indoor temperature of 15 to 28°C. Place some broken tiles at the bottom of the pot to facilitate drainage and air permeability, then fill in the prepared potting soil, select strong seedlings, put the aloe into the pot, spread out the root system, after filling with soil lift the aloe seedling upward a little, press firm, straighten it, and water thoroughly.

3. Recovery of seedlings: When growing Aloe arborescens, special attention must be paid to the recovery period of the seedlings. Before they turn green again, do not water too much, nor fertilize, otherwise the roots will rot. Newly potted Aloe arborescens must not be exposed to direct sunlight. During this period, frequently spray water on the leaf surface, which can speed up the return to green and rooting.

4. Fertilization: The normal growth of Aloe arborescens requires nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, boron, copper, zinc and organic fertilizer. Generally, liquid fertilizer is applied by watering or spraying on the leaves. Fertilize when growth is faster in spring and autumn, once every half a month to a month, but fertilization should be stopped during the dormant period from November to March of the following year.

5. Watering: Although Aloe arborescens has strong drought tolerance, it still needs timely, appropriate and reasonable watering. Both early morning and evening are fine. Generally water once every 15 to 20 days. The principle is “see dry see wet, when dry water thoroughly”. In summer, water can be sprayed on the leaf surface of the aloe to keep the leaves green, and also prevent exposure to the scorching sun.

6. Repotting: Aloe arborescens generally needs to be repotted after about two years of cultivation. Repotting is best done in spring. Put the Aloe arborescens together with the soil ball into a larger new pot, then add new soil, press firm and water thoroughly, place it in partial shade, and after the seedling recovery period, move it to a sunny place for normal care.

7. Pests and diseases: Aloe arborescens is not prone to insect pests and rarely suffers from diseases. However, in a poor environment, diseases such as black spot disease may occur on its leaves. During the seedling stage, spray 77% wettable powder Keshade, or 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder 1000 times solution, once every 15-20 days, 3-4 times within 1 year.