Key Technical Points for Field Management of Field-Grown Aloe

    After the aloe is planted and revived, it enters normal cultivation management. During the field management process, scientific management should be carried out according to the biological characteristics and habits of aloe. This period is the key and important period for the entire growth of aloe, and both the yield and quality (active ingredients) of aloe are determined during this period.

    1. Maintain the suitable temperature (15-28°C) and humidity (75%-85%) required for aloe growth. 

    (1) Greenhouse. 

    In winter, if the indoor temperature cannot reach the minimum of 8°C, heating should be added. In summer, shade (70% shade net) and cool down, and open the vents as wide as possible. In spring and autumn, the degree of opening and closing of the vents should be controlled according to the weather and indoor temperature. In winter, proper ventilation and air exchange must also be carried out. 

    (2) Plastic tunnel. 

    Cold-proof straw mats, etc. can be added in good time, and other management can refer to the greenhouse management method. 

    (3) Open field. 

    If conditions permit, simple rain-proof and cooling facilities can be built on the aloe planting beds. 

    2. Irrigation (watering) and drainage. 

    The amount of irrigation (watering) and the number of irrigations are mainly determined according to soil dryness and wetness, weather, and seedling condition. For the whole year, temperatures in spring and summer are high, evaporation is large, and aloe grows quickly, so watering should be frequent. After the Beginning of Autumn, gradually reduce the number of irrigations and the amount of water. 

    (1) Irrigation (watering). 

    Each irrigation should be thorough. If only the surface is soaked each time, a "dry interlayer" will be left between the upper and lower layers, which is very harmful to root development. As for soil texture, clay soil requires fewer irrigations, while sandy soil requires more irrigations. 

    As for the time of irrigation (watering), during the day, in summer it should be done in the morning and evening, because at this time the difference between water temperature and soil temperature is relatively small and will not affect root activity. If watering is done at noon in summer when sunlight is strong, it often causes sunburn at the base of the tender stems, and for small seedlings it is even more serious. In winter, watering should be done around noon, because the temperature is higher at this time, and watering will not affect the temperature decrease. In winter, dilute liquid fertilizer water is generally used instead of plain water. 

    (2) Drainage. 

    Because greenhouses (tunnels) have plastic film to prevent rain, they generally do not cause large amounts of accumulated water, but rainwater backflow must be prevented. Drainage is aimed at aloe cultivated in the open field. According to the weather and precipitation conditions, rainwater should be drained promptly, and water accumulation must be avoided to prevent root rot and leaf rot. If it is often affected by rainfall washing and water accumulation, it will lead to the occurrence or widespread outbreak of black spot disease.

    3. Timely topdressing. 

    In order to promote plant growth, topdressing should be carried out in a timely manner, mainly with decomposed organic fertilizer (cake liquid fertilizer, human excrement and urine, etc.), combined with some inorganic fertilizer. The amount and concentration of fertilizer applied should be determined according to plant size and growth stage. In principle, apply less but frequently. 

    Fertilization methods include furrow application, hole application, and washing into the ground with irrigation water; it can also be applied by watering. If it is dry manure (fertilizer) or granular inorganic fertilizer, after furrow application or hole application, it should be turned into the surface soil through intertillage, and then irrigated immediately. 

    Fertilization amount: spring and autumn are the peak growth seasons for aloe, so the amount of fertilizer applied should be appropriately larger and more frequent; in summer and winter, the amount of fertilizer applied should be small and the frequency should be low. Especially in winter, the amount should be even smaller. The fertilization amount and frequency for mature aloe are much greater than for small seedlings and old plants. 

    The application concentration of organic liquid fertilizer should be diluted 6-15 times, and that of inorganic liquid fertilizer should be 0.1%-0.2%. 

    4. Intertillage. 

    Intertillage can loosen the surface soil, cut off air circulation within the soil, promote the decomposition of organic matter in the soil, and create good conditions for normal root growth and nutrient absorption. While intertilling, weeding can also be carried out at the same time. When there are no weeds, intertillage loosening or hilling should still be done once after each irrigation. 

    At the seedling stage, because most of the ground surface is exposed to sunlight, in addition to the soil surface drying easily, weeds also reproduce very quickly, so intertillage and weeding should be carried out frequently.