Despite the fact that aloe does not have a 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 types, you will find out what kind of care a home aloe flower requires, how it reproduces.
Description of the plant
Under natural conditions, aloe grows in the Arabian Peninsula, Africa, the Middle East, Madagascar, South America. This is a tropical plant that needs a lot of sunlight. Under natural conditions, aloe is a herbaceous, perennial tree or shrub plant that can reach 10-15 meters in height.
Most representatives of the genus have fleshy leaves, elongated, smooth or with thorns along the edge,arranged in a spiral. In the lower part, many species have numerous shoots that form lush large bushes.
Popular types of indoor aloe
Several types of aloe are widespread in indoor floriculture.
Aloe spinous
The plant forms a rather large basal rosette. The fleshy leaves with white speckles are framed with spiked teeth. One of the most decorative species.
Aloe motley
Compact plant, no more than 30 cm high. It has dark green triangular leaves that are arranged in a spiral. On each sheet that does not have thorns, transverse white stripes are clearly visible.
Awesome Aloe
A large plant, reaching 45 cm in height at home, grows up to two meters in natural conditions. Its intimidating appearance is due to the sharp reddish-brown spines that frame the fleshy grey-green leaves.
Aloe Vera
One of the most common types, which not only has many useful properties, but also has a decorative effect. Aloe vera leaves create thick and lush rosettes. They are gray-green in color. For aloe vera, home care (you can see a photo of a green pet below) is not burdensome even for beginners in floriculture. We will talk more about this in the article a little later.
Aloe arborescens
This species is better known as the agave. He is a representative of the family that is often found in the homes of Russian flower growers. ATthis plant reaches a height of 50-70 cm, velvety leaves with soft thorns grow up to 30 cm. With proper care, the home plant aloe tree lives 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 homes.
Aloe: home care, photo
Many flower growers consider aloe one of the most unpretentious indoor plants. However, it is necessary to follow some, albeit simple, rules for caring for a plant. Aloe of all types require approximately the same conditions, so we will give you general recommendations.
Lighting
As in nature, and in indoor floriculture, aloe needs sunlight. The plant thrives on window sills facing:
- southwest;
- south;
- southeast;
- east;
- West.
North windows are not very suitable for growing a flower, because they need to create additional lighting for the plant. It is necessary to 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 necessary to carefully observe the plant in early spring, when it comes out of dormancy and gets used to the bright rays. Excess sunlight can harm the flower. In the summer, flower growers recommend putting aloe on a balcony, loggia, and taking it out into the garden. Being outdoors insummer time will heal and strengthen the plant.
Temperature conditions
Because this is a tropical inhabitant, not accustomed to the cold, caring for aloe involves creating conditions as close to natural as possible. In autumn and winter, the optimum temperature for this succulent should not be below +12 ° C. From the beginning of October to the end of February, the plant is dormant. Therefore, a rather low air temperature, combined with poor lighting, as for representatives of this family, moderate and limited watering, will help the plant to easily overwinter. In the summer months, the temperature for growing a flower must be at least +25 ° C.
Irrigation
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.
Beginner flower growers should know that aloe is a flower that is not very demanding for care: it easily survives drought, practically does not react to air humidity, and is content with nutrients in the soil.
Humidity
As we have already said, aloe is absolutely indifferent to air humidity. Plant care excludes special spraying. However, if in the summer heat you refresh the plant with a spray bottle, then this will be useful to him. But in this case, make sure that moisture does not accumulate in the outlet.
Feeding
For a completethe development and growth of the plant is quite sufficient nutrients that are contained in the soil. But if you want to get a developed and nutrient-rich plant, you should feed it from time to time. For this, special dressings for succulents, produced in dry and liquid form, are suitable.
Aloe pruning
When properly cared for, aloe often exhibits active growth, pushing out new leaves, flowers, and young shoots. For this reason, the plant needs pruning, but more delicate than for other plants. It is necessary to remove damaged parts of the plant and excess shoots in a timely manner.
Pruning the above-ground part of the plant
Prepare a sharp, sanitized garden knife or pruner. First of all, diseased leaves of the plant should be removed. If necessary, move them apart to get to the dead, discolored leaves. Cut them off at the stem. Remove overgrown leaves as well. As a rule, they are the oldest, so they contain the largest amount of gel. This substance has many healing properties. If you plan to use cut leaves for medicinal purposes, remove the thorns on the sides and store the raw material in the refrigerator.
Aloe propagation
Under natural conditions, this culture reproduces in two ways:
- root growth;
- self-seeding.
At home, several options for the reproduction of aloe are practiced. Care of planted plants should be thorough. Weak seedlings requirelots of sunshine. During the day, you can rearrange the pot of aloe several times on the illuminated windowsills. Unlike other houseplants, aloe is not affected by frequent changes of location.
Cutting
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 off the stalk with a sharp and previously disinfected knife.
Cut off a he althy shoot at the base of the stem. Treat the cut with wood ash. For five days, place the shoot in a dark place with an average level of humidity. Prepare for planting special cassettes for seedlings or low containers. Make up the substrate from river sand, peat and perlite.
Before planting, the soil mixture should be evenly moistened. Leave a distance of at least five centimeters between the cuttings. Do not bury the cutting deep into the soil. It is enough to stick it a centimeter into the ground.
Reproduction by leaves
This method is very popular among flower growers. It is necessary to cut off a he althy 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 water the soil regularly - if it dries out, the plant may die. The rooted leaf is transplanted into a separate pot.
Coppice propagation
This,perhaps the most effective way to propagate aloe. Carefully inspect the plant at the base of the roots. Carefully separate full-fledged children who have formed roots. Try not to damage the fragile root system when extracting. A young aloe is immediately planted in a sandy substrate. Care during this period is reduced to moderate watering as needed. In addition, the plant should be well lit.
There is another method of reproduction - seeds. But most flower growers 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. Replanting 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 one in diameter, and only by transshipment. The day before the transplant, the flower is watered, and plentifully. 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. From above it is sprinkled with prepared soil. The pot is carefully turned over and the flower is taken out along with the earthy clod. The 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 normal - moderate wateringand lots of sun.
Healing properties
Most of the aloe are sources of juice, amazing 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 suppress 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 restoration of organs at the cellular level. The use of aloe juice is indicated for many diseases:
- low hemoglobin;
- insufficient bile production;
- damage to the skin (eczema, burns, boils, skin oncology);
- viral, bacterial infections;
- lung diseases.
