How to Grow Aloe Vera? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods
Aloe vera is an evergreen, succulent herbaceous plant. The leaves are clustered, arranged in a rosette or growing at the top of the stem; the leaves are often lance-shaped or short and broad, with sharp tooth-like spines along the edges. The inflorescence is umbel-like, raceme-like, spike-like, or panicle-like, in colors of red, yellow, or with red spots, with six petals and six pistils. The base of the perianth is mostly fused into a tube shape.
There are at least 300 varieties of aloe vera, of which about 250 are found on the African continent, about 40 in Madagascar, and the remaining 10 are distributed in Arabia and other places. The properties and shapes of various aloe varieties differ greatly; some resemble giant trees, reaching about 20 m in height, while others are less than 10 cm tall. The shapes of their leaves and flowers also vary widely, each with its own characteristics in cultivation, presenting a thousand forms and deeply loved by people. Aloe vera is originally a tropical plant, naturally afraid of cold, but it is also easy to grow and keep alive.
Aloe vera is the easiest plant to grow; when it dries out, just water it a little. This is a plant for lazy gardeners. Aloe vera has extremely strong vitality and is very easy to grow. Its growth characteristics are that it likes sunlight but fears scorching sun; likes moisture but avoids waterlogging; tolerates high temperatures but fears severe cold.
Propagation Methods for Aloe Vera
Aloe vera can be propagated by cuttings and division.
1. Cutting method. Carry out between March and April in spring. Cut the top of a robust old plant as a cutting, with a cutting length of 10 cm to 15 cm. Remove the leaves on both sides of the base, place in a cool place for 2 to 3 days, and once the cut surface is slightly dry, insert into potting soil. Keep the potting soil moist, and roots will form in 20 to 30 days.
2. Division method. When repotting each spring, separate the young plants from the old plant and plant them separately in pots. Newly potted young plants should have watering controlled; in summer, place them outdoors in a ventilated, semi-shaded spot and water every afternoon; in winter, maintain a temperature above 5 degrees C and place them indoors in a dry, sunny spot so they can grow well.
Cultivation Conditions for Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is originally a tropical plant, naturally afraid of cold, but it is also an easy plant to grow and keep alive. Of course, to make aloe vera grow quickly and propagate abundantly, it must be carefully cultivated according to its characteristics.
1. Soil. Aloe vera likes to grow in loose soil with good drainage that does not easily compact. Ordinary soil can be mixed with some sand, gravel, or ash residue; adding leaf mold or grass ash is even better. Soil with poor drainage and aeration will hinder root respiration and cause root rot and death, but overly sandy soil often causes loss of water and nutrients, making aloe vera grow poorly.
2. Temperature. Aloe vera fears cold; it has long grown in environments free of frost all year round. Growth stops at around 5 degrees C, and at 0 degrees C, life processes are impaired; if below 0 degrees C, it will suffer frost damage. The most suitable temperature for growth is 15—5 degrees C, with humidity of 45—5%.
3. Water. Like all plants, aloe vera needs water, but it fears waterlogging most. In rainy and humid seasons or when drainage is poor, the leaves easily shrivel, and branches and roots rot, even leading to death.
4. Sunlight. Aloe vera needs sufficient sunlight to grow. Note that newly planted aloe vera is not yet suitable for direct sun exposure; it is best to let it see sunlight only in the morning, and after ten days to half a month it will slowly adapt and thrive in the sun.
5. Fertilizer. Fertilizer is indispensable for any plant. Aloe vera not only needs nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but also some trace elements. To ensure aloe vera remains a green, natural plant, use fermented organic fertilizer as much as possible; cake fertilizer, chicken manure, and compost are all acceptable, and earthworm castings are even more suitable for growing aloe vera.