Winter cold protection methods for potted aloe, helping it overwinter safely
Potted aloe has fairly strict temperature requirements in winter; the lower the temperature, the greater the harm to the aloe. When overwintering, the main cold protection measures are: setting up a cold protection trench. You can dig a rectangular pit in a sunny, wind-sheltered yard; its size can be determined by the number of overwintering aloe pots and the size of the plants, generally 50-70 cm deep...
Potted aloe has fairly strict temperature requirements in winter; the lower the temperature, the greater the harm to the aloe. When overwintering, the main cold protection measures are:
Set up a cold protection trench. You can dig a rectangular pit in a sunny, wind-sheltered yard; its size can be determined by the number of overwintering aloe pots and the size of the plants, generally 50-70 cm deep, 1.5-2 m long, and 1 m wide. One pit can hold 6-8 pots of aloe. Build a frame over it with bamboo strips and cover it with double-layer plastic film sealed tight. When the sun is good at noon, uncover the film to let in air and exchange the air, reducing humidity inside the pit. At night, add a cotton quilt and straw mat on top. This simple pit-style home potted aloe setup can be any capacity as needed, and its overwintering effect is safe and reliable, suitable for use in northern regions. In some places in Northeast China, to increase the temperature of the pit, horse and cattle manure, coal ash, and thin soil are often laid at the bottom of the pit. The horse and cattle manure is 25-30 cm thick, and the heat generated by its fermentation is used to raise the temperature inside the pit. This generally can continue to raise the temperature for more than 3 months, is economical and safe, and works very well.
Overwintering with heating. Indoor heating conditions in winter vary from household to household, and the methods for keeping potted aloe warm through the winter also differ greatly. If there is heating indoors, it is relatively easy to meet the aloe's temperature requirements. But never place the aloe directly on the heating radiator, otherwise the high temperature will scald the root system, and the hot air will also steam and damage the leaves. A long wooden board should be placed on the radiator, and the potted aloe placed on top of it. In some places, coal is burned directly for heating. Although this can also achieve the purpose of raising the temperature, attention should be paid to proper ventilation to avoid coal smoke, stove ash, and sulfur dioxide produced during coal burning affecting the aloe's growth.
Make an insulation box. Families with the means can also make a simple insulation box themselves, about the size of a large television, with glass set around the sides, sealed with plastic film, and 1 incandescent bulb of 60-100 watts installed inside. Turn on the light from dusk each day until the early morning of the next day to raise the temperature inside the box and increase light. But note that the aloe must not be too close to the bulb, to avoid being scorched. If the inside of the box is too dry, place a small bowl of clean water to increase humidity. At noon each day, the insulation box can be opened for ventilation.
Cover with a plastic bag. Covering potted aloe with a plastic bag is the simplest method for keeping it warm through the winter. Use iron wire to make an arched round support at the edge of the flower pot, put on the plastic bag, and wrap the aloe and pot together. When the room temperature rises, remove the plastic bag promptly. Although this method is simple, its overwintering warmth effect is not bad either. The only thing is that the bag should not be left on for too long, otherwise once the sun shines, the temperature inside the bag rises and there is no ventilation, which will damage the aloe.