Detailed Explanation of Key Aloe Vera Greenhouse Cultivation Techniques
Aloe vera, also known as oil onion, is a plant of the genus Aloe in the Liliaceae family, native to India. Edible aloe varieties include Curacao, Muli, and Chinese aloe. The main variety cultivated in local greenhouses is Curacao, also known as Barbados aloe or emerald-leaf aloe. The following is an introduction to the botanical characteristics and cultivation points of aloe: Aloe is...
Aloe vera, also known as oil onion, is a plant of the genus Aloe in the Liliaceae family, native to India. Edible aloe varieties include Curacao, Muli, and Chinese aloe. The main variety cultivated in local greenhouses is Curacao, also known as Barbados aloe or emerald-leaf aloe. The following is an introduction to the botanical characteristics and cultivation points of aloe:
Aloe prefers warm and humid climate conditions and is not cold-tolerant. The room temperature in winter must not be lower than 5°C, and it should be kept dry during the dormant period. It prefers well-drained, fertile sandy loam. It is not demanding on soil, tolerant of drought and saline-alkali conditions, and does not require heavy watering or fertilization. However, it likes sunlight and is not shade-tolerant; in shaded environments, it mostly does not bloom.
Greenhouse aloe planting:
Land preparation and fertilization Generally, land with high terrain, a low water table, good drainage, loose soil, good aeration, and fertility should be selected. Deep plow the land and apply organic fertilizer, applying 2000-3000 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer plus 100 kg of leafy vegetable compound fertilizer per mu. The width of the beds should take into account the ability to set up a greenhouse and cover with shade netting. Generally, single-row beds are 0.5 m wide, and double-row beds are 0.6-0.8 m wide.
Aloe propagation methods:
1. Seed sowing method. Seeds are sown in spring and require sand tray seedling raising, then transplanted.
2. Division method. In early spring, combined with repotting, cut off the new tillers around the mother plant from the underground stem of the mother plant and cultivate them as seed plants. However, because the number of tillers is small, the number of propagated plants is relatively small with this method.
3. Cutting method. Cutting propagation is generally mostly used. The method is to cut small side branches from the base of the main stem and between the leaf axils between spring and summer for cuttings. Cut 10-15 cm new shoots, cut them off from the base with a small knife, place them in the shade for 1 day to let the cut surface dry slightly, then insert them into the culture soil. Insert 3-4 cm deep, and water only after 1 week; they will take root in about 20-30 days. The main stem can also be cut off for cuttings. Spring is the best time for cuttings, which helps them overwinter safely. In winter, avoid watering too much to prevent root rot. Generally, they are planted in the field in the spring of the following year.
Aloe management methods:
After the seedlings are divided, they must be watered, but they should not be overly wet. Avoid watering at noon; watering should be moderate. If there is moist soil 2 cm below the surface, watering can be skipped. In dry summer, water once every 1-2 days, apply human manure once every 3-4 weeks, and remove weeds in the greenhouse.
In summer, avoid direct strong sunlight, and the greenhouse should be covered with shade netting. In winter, prevent freezing; when the outside temperature is below 5°C, the greenhouse should be heated, and at midday when the temperature is high, the greenhouse should be ventilated.
Pest and disease control The main diseases of greenhouse aloe are anthracnose and gray mold, which can be sprayed with 100% antibacterial agent 401 acetic acid solution at 1000 times dilution. The main pests are scale insects and whiteflies, which can be killed by spraying 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution.
Aloe harvesting methods:
After the plants reach maturity, leaves can be harvested in stages and batches from bottom to top. The harvestable parts are tiller buds, leaves, flowers, flower stalks, and roots. Harvested tiller buds can be used for propagation. For aloe harvested for leaves, the plants must be mature plants over 3 years old, each plant must have more than 20 leaves, most leaves must weigh 500 g, 3-4 leaves can be harvested each time, and 3-4 harvests can be made each year. After harvesting, the mother plant must retain more than 12 leaves, and over-harvesting is not allowed.
The cut must be made at the sheath section near the base. Per mu, mature plants can produce 10,000-12,000 kg of fresh leaves each year.
Click to get more aloe cultivation techniques
Click to get more flower planting techniques