Growing aloe at home will not present many problems, since the plant is unpretentious. But for the indoor flower to grow quickly, the leaves remain juicy, and after a while the flowers also appear, you need to carry out basic care. The most important thing is to choose the right soil and to further maintain the mineral composition of the earth.
Properly choose or prepare the soil for planting aloe
So that the plant does not die, you need to know exactly which soil is better for planting aloe. Often for planting, they buy a ready-made composition, which is intended for succulents or cacti. But a suitable primer is easy to make on your own, with only a few components.
How to independently prepare the soil for aloe:
- To create an ideal soil composition, you need turf and deciduous land, humus, coarse sand, charcoal, broken red brick.
- Sod land should be mixed with humus, coarse sand and deciduous soil in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.
- Lastly, very little charcoal is added for disinfection and broken bricks for loosening the soil.
For planting, it is advisable to choose a pot several times larger than the plant itself. In no case should peat be added, since this component can lead to decay of the root system.
Rules for watering the indoor flower at different times of the year
In order for the plant to develop normally, you need to adhere to a certain watering regime. If you do not water on time, then the root system will be moistened by succulent leaves.
Growth phases depend on the season. Depending on this, the frequency of watering varies. In winter, less moisture is required, so it is enough to moisten the soil 2 times a month. In the warm period, on the contrary, more - 2 times a week.
It is impossible to overmoisten the plant, since the root may begin to rot, and the leaves will become too watery. You need to know how to water aloe properly and what kind of water. At room temperature, settled water should be used in an amount of not more than 250 ml. A small amount is poured under the trunk of aloe and poured a little into the pallet. The leaves are wiped with a slightly damp cloth.
The principle of fertilizing plants with different periods of growth
To support the plant and accelerate its growth, it is necessary to conduct periodic top dressing of the soil in accordance with such recommendations:
- Top dressing is carried out only in the warm season 1 time per month.
- Aloe soil is usually watered with a solution of organic fertilizers, which are used for cacti.
- It is necessary to finish top dressing in October so that the plant switches to the “energy-saving mode”.
It is worth adhering to recommendations regarding proportions, since an excessive amount of trace elements can lead to the death of the plant.
Choosing a place to grow a flower
So that the soil for aloe does not quickly lose useful minerals and substances, and the agave itself grows quickly and without problems, you need to choose the right place for the flowerpot. When arranging the flower, you need to take into account several nuances:
- A pot with an agave is installed exclusively on the windowsills of those windows that face south.
- The location of the aloe should not be drafts and sudden changes in temperature. Comfortable border - +23 ... + 25 degrees.
- During the greatest activity of the sun, it is better to close aloe from direct sunlight.
- If the leaves begin to dry at the tips or quickly turn yellow, then you need to change the windowsill.
If the agave is planted in a large outdoor flowerpot, then the placement must also be correct. The ideal place would be a wall or corner opposite the south window.
What to fear in the process of caring for a century?
Aloe is a home flower, which, in comparison with other residents of the windowsill, does not require special attention. But still there are a few points that can lead to a deterioration in the appearance of the agave or even death:
- As a result of saturation of the soil with moisture, rotting of the root system can occur.
- You need to carefully monitor the lighting. If aloe leaves become dull, then you need to put a flowerpot in the sun. When the leaves become lethargic and begin to turn yellow, it is worth putting the flower in the shade.
- The agave is very fond of warmth and the constancy of the temperature regime, so you should carefully monitor the microclimate in the room.
Significant errors in the process of caring for the flower and in its cultivation cannot be made, since the plant is completely unpretentious.
Dangerous diseases and pests of the agave
Aloe diseases are solely problems with the root system. A negative factor may be improper soil composition in the pot or over-abundant watering. But pests love aloe:
- Often dark plaques of small size appear on the trunk of the agave. This is a scab that feeds on the sap of the plant. The pest can be removed with a rag dipped in alcohol. After cleaning, you need to treat the plant with an insecticide solution.
- A wax coating at the point of attachment of the leaves to the trunk indicates a parasite such as a powdery worm. You need to do a wet cleaning of the leaves and trunk, dampened with vinegar. Powdery worm appears due to lack of watering. So that the pest does not appear again, watering needs to be established.
- When the leaves of the agave are entangled in a thin web of white, and white insects are present on the underside, a spider mite has appeared. Wash the leaves with soap and water, and then sprinkle with garlic tincture.
Often the appearance of pests is facilitated by dry soil and too dry air in the room where the agave is located. Unsuitable water can also lead to the appearance of a worm, tick or scab.
General tips for transplanting agave
In order for the plant to become powerful and beautiful, it is necessary not only to plant the agave correctly, but also to periodically transplant the seedling. Transplant recommendations:
- Change the pot every year for the first 5 years. This is done in order to give a place for the development of the root system.
- A plant that is more than 5 years old, frequent transplantation can damage, so the amount is reduced to 1 time in 2-3 years.
- The soil for aloe must change with each transplant, so that the nutrient base is updated and possible parasites are removed.
- When preparing a new pot, you should take care of the formation of drainage, which will be the best option for adjusting the humidity level.
- It is better to choose a pot made of ceramics or clay, since a container made of plastic can adversely affect the development of the flower.
Experienced growers recommend pre-baking prepared soil in the oven. Such a manipulation will destroy all foreign microorganisms in the earth. It is enough 3-5 minutes at a temperature of 180-200 degrees.