Despite the fact that aloe is not beautiful and lush flowering, almost all lovers of indoor plants have it in their collection. Aloe is famous for its unique healing properties. Scientists have about 400 varieties of this plant, but only a few of them are grown at home. In this article we will talk about the most popular species, you will find out what kind of homemade aloe flower requires care of, how it propagates.
Plant description
Under natural conditions, aloe grows on the Arabian Peninsula, in Africa, the Middle East, Madagascar, and South America. This is a tropical plant that needs a lot of sunlight. Under natural conditions, aloe are herbaceous, perennial tree-like or shrub plants that can reach 10-15 meters in height.
In most representatives of the genus, the leaves are fleshy, elongated, smooth or with spikes along the edge, located in a spiral. In the lower part, many species have numerous shoots forming lush large bushes.
Popular types of indoor aloe
In indoor floriculture, several types of aloe are widespread.
The plant forms a fairly large basal rosette. Fleshy leaves with white dots are framed by spiked teeth. One of the most decorative species.
A compact plant with a height of not more than 30 cm. It has dark green triangular leaves that are arranged in a spiral. On each sheet that does not have spikes, transverse white stripes are clearly visible.
A large plant, reaching at home 45 cm in height, in natural conditions grows up to two meters. Its awesome appearance is explained by sharp reddish-brown spikes that frame the fleshy leaves of gray-green color.
One of the most common types, which has not only many useful properties, but also is distinguished by decorativeness. Aloe vera leaves create thick and lush rosettes. They are painted in gray-green color. Aloe vera care at home (photo of a green pet you can see below) is easy even for beginners in floriculture. We will discuss this in more detail in the article a little later.
This species is better known as agave. He is a member of the family that is often found in the homes of Russian flower growers. This plant reaches a height of 50-70 cm, velvety leaves with soft spikes grow up to 30 cm. With proper care, the aloe tree-like house plant has been living for more than 20 years. Its leaves, however, like aloe vera, have medicinal properties. It is thanks to this that the plant is grown in many houses.
Aloe: home care, photo
Many flower growers consider aloe one of the most unpretentious indoor plants. However, it is necessary to observe some, albeit simple rules for caring for the plant. Aloe of all kinds require approximately the same conditions of detention, so we will give you general recommendations.
Lighting
Both in nature and in indoor floriculture, aloe needs sunlight. The plant feels great on the windowsills of windows that overlook:
- southwest;
- south;
- southeast;
- East;
- west.
The northern windows are not very suitable for growing flowers, because they need to create additional lighting for the plant. You must be careful when placing the succulent on the southern windows: although the plant loves sunlight very much, it will need shading in the summer heat.
It is especially necessary to carefully observe the plant in early spring, when it leaves its dormant state and gets used to bright rays. Excess sunlight can damage the flower. In the summer, flower growers recommend putting aloe on the balcony, loggia, and taking it out to the garden. Being outdoors in the summer will heal and strengthen the plant.
Temperature mode
Since this is a tropical resident who is not accustomed to the cold, caring for aloe involves the creation of conditions as close to natural conditions as possible. In autumn and winter, the optimum temperature for this succulent should not be lower than +12 ° C. From early October to late February, the plant is at rest. Therefore, a rather low air temperature, combined with poor lighting for both members of this family, moderate and limited watering will help the plant to easily winter. In the summer months, the temperature for growing a flower should not be lower than +25 ° C.
Watering
The watering regime for all types of aloe is typical for succulents. The watering schedule can be divided into two parts:
- summer, when the plant is watered twice a week;
- winter - the plant receives moisture no more than twice a month.
Beginning gardeners should know that aloe is a flower that is not very demanding for care: it easily survives drought, practically does not respond to air humidity, is content with nutrients in the soil.
Air humidity
As we already said, aloe is absolutely indifferent to humidity. Caring for the plant eliminates special spraying. However, if in summer heat you refresh a plant from a spray bottle, then it will be useful to him. But in this case, make sure that moisture does not accumulate in the outlet.
Top dressing
For the full development and growth of the plant, the nutrients contained in the soil are quite enough. But if you want to get a plant developed and rich in nutrients, you should feed it from time to time. For this, special dressings for succulents, available in dry and liquid form, are suitable.
Aloe pruning
With proper care, aloe often shows active growth, expelling new leaves, flowers and young shoots. For this reason, the plant needs pruning, but more delicate than for other plants. It is necessary to timely remove damaged parts of the plant and extra processes.
Trimming the aerial parts of the plant
Prepare a sharp, sanitized garden knife or pruner. First of all, the diseased leaves of the plant should be removed. If necessary, move them apart to reach dead, discolored leaves. Cut them off the stem itself. Remove too overgrown leaves. As a rule, they are the oldest, so they contain the greatest amount of gel. This substance has many healing properties. If you plan to use cut leaves for medicinal purposes, remove the thorns on each side and store the raw materials in the refrigerator.
Aloe propagation
In vivo, this culture propagates in two ways:
- basal shoots;
- self seeding.
At home, several aloe propagation options are practiced . Care for planted plants should be thorough. Immature seedlings require a lot of sunlight. During the day, you can rearrange the aloe pot several times on the illuminated window sills. Unlike other indoor plants, aloe vera is not harmful by a frequent change of location.
Cuttings
Reproduction in this way can be carried out throughout the year, although the highest percentage of rooting gives summer reproduction. For planting material, it is better to use side branches. Carefully cut the stalk with a sharp and previously disinfected knife.
Cut a healthy shoot at the base of the stem. Treat the cutting area with wood ash. For five days, place the shoot in a dark place with medium humidity. Prepare for planting special seedling cassettes or low containers. The substrate is composed of river sand, peat and perlite.
Before planting, the soil mixture should be evenly moistened. Leave at least five centimeters between the cuttings. Do not dig the stalk deep into the soil. Just stick it a centimeter into the ground.
Leaf propagation
This method is very popular among gardeners. It is necessary to cut a healthy leaf at the base of the stem. To stimulate germination, place it in a dark room. The leaf is planted in a container with moistened soil to a depth of three centimeters. Do not forget to regularly water the soil - if it dries, the plant may die. The rooted leaf is transplanted into a separate pot.
Propagation by shoots
This is perhaps the most effective way to propagate aloe vera. Carefully inspect the plant at the base of the roots. Carefully separate the full-fledged children whose roots have formed. Try not to damage the fragile root system when removing. A young aloe is immediately planted in a sandy substrate. Care during this period is reduced to moderate watering as necessary. In addition, the plant should be well lit.
There is another method of reproduction - by seed. But most gardeners consider it ineffective - the process of growing seeds is long, while their germination is low.
Aloe: transplant and home care
It is not difficult to transplant a perennial - it is important to carry out this procedure carefully, minimally injuring the plant. Transplanting aloe, which has been growing for several years at home, is necessary only after the roots completely fill the volume of the pot.
Each subsequent transplant is made into a container, 3 cm larger than the previous diameter, and only by transshipment. A day before the transplant, the flower is watered, and abundantly. When the water is completely absorbed, the soil must be loosened so as not to damage the roots.
A drainage layer is poured onto the bottom of the new pot. Sprinkle it on top of the prepared soil. The pot is carefully turned over and the flower is taken out together with an earthen lump. Old soil, which is not braided by the roots, is removed. Then the plant is placed in a new container so that the root neck is two centimeters below the top of the pot. Aloe care after transplantation is usual - moderate watering and a lot of sun.
Healing properties
Most aloes are sources of juice, surprising in its healing power. It is used both in cosmetology and in therapeutic practice. The leaves of the plant contain a unique phytocomplex that has the ability to inhibit or slow down the development of bacteria, viruses, and even cancer cells.
In addition, the complex stimulates the regeneration of damaged tissues, has a beneficial effect on the processes of organ restoration at the cellular level. The use of aloe juice is indicated for many diseases:
- reduced hemoglobin;
- insufficient production of bile;
- damage to the skin (eczema, burns, boils, skin oncology);
- viral, bacterial infections;
- pulmonary diseases.