ok.. so i got a new aloe (sp) plant. Um.. how much do i water it? do they need a lot of water? and do i keep it inside... or outside???
AND... if i tear one of the tips off of one of the leave things to get some aloe, will the leaf thing die?
THANK U
2007-03-20 09:58:11 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Aloe vera is a succulent, and as such, stores a large quantity of water within its leaves and root system. During the winter months, the plant will become somewhat dormant, and utilize very little moisture. During this period watering should be minimal. Allow the soil to become completely dry before giving the plant a cup or two of water. During the summer months, the soil should be completely soaked, but then be allowed to dry again before re-watering.
Aloes have a shallow, spreading root system, so when it is time to repot choose a wide planter, rather than a deep one. Use a planter with a drainage hole, or provide a 1-2 inch layer of gravel in the bottom of the pot to ensure adequate drainage. Use a good commercial potting mix with extra perlite, granite grit, or coarse sand added. You may also use a packaged 'cacti mix' soil. Fertilize yearly, in the spring with a dilute (half strength), bloom type fertilizer (10-40-10).
2007-03-20 10:12:20 · answer #1 · answered by gardengallivant 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Those are nice plants to have. Great if you get a burn. You can carefully cut a tip and it will usually heal but if the plant is big enough tear off a whole leaf stalk. You can save it in the refrigerator--I don't know how long. It is a cactus so don't water it every day.
As a houseplant, it is easily grown in sandy well-drained commercial potting loams. Best sited in full sun, but this plant seems to adapt to some part shade. It needs bright light for flowering. Tolerant of drought and dry indoor air. Water very moderately in spring, summer and fall, but reduce watering to the minimum in winter. Tolerates 50F to 60F degree nights in summer with a minimum of 40F degrees in winter. Plants taken outside for summer should be protected from rain, and should be brought indoors in early fall before night temperatures begin to dip below 50F degrees. Easily propagated from offsets that appear near the base of mature plants.
2007-03-20 17:16:12 · answer #2 · answered by richard d 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Luckily as a succulent, Aloe is very very hardy and drought tolerant. Water when the soil is dry to the touch, just keep the soil damp and be sure its planted in a sandy soil.
As for using the leaves, not a problem. If it is still fairly small, its ok. As far as sun though, you need to be sure it gets partial sun, meaning plenty in the morning and no direct sunlight in the afternoon, unless its not that hot where you live, then full sun would be perfect. You can very easily grow them in a pot indoors with no problem. Just as long as they get plenty of sunlight.
Also, they grow and reproduce fairly fast, so again, using the leaves wont be a problem as they multilply easily and fairly quickly.
But hey, best of luck.
2007-03-20 17:25:28 · answer #3 · answered by jeff the drunk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Water it when the top inch of soil is dry-they don't need a lot of water. The "leaf" won't die but neither will it grow another tip. You can just snip the whole leaf off if you don't like the amputated look. Good luck--
2007-03-20 17:04:11 · answer #4 · answered by connor g 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I only water my plant when the soil around it is dry,succulents store moisture in the plant so it is a happier plant when it is dry-these plant grow well so no the plant will not die if you tear a tip off, it wil just grow more-good luck!
2007-03-21 21:09:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
untill it has that moist look i water plants
2007-03-20 17:05:17 · answer #6 · answered by Whitt 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋