Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a plant with unique properties that grows mainly in tropical and humid areas. It is interesting to know that there are currently about 250 different species of aloe vera around the world! Some species of this plant are poisonous to domestic cats, and you should get the necessary information about this before buying. The margins of the aloe vera leaves are covered with tiny razor blades, and you can see its serrated shape well.
Most people limit the properties of aloe vera to the skin and cosmetics industry, but it is now widely used as an apartment plant.
Most aloe vera species grow slowly, and usually, after a few years, the terminal leaves dry out and must be removed from the plant stem.

Aloe vera is a plant from the succulent family that easily adapts to the home and apartment environment. Temperatures of 18 to 24 degrees Celsius are suitable conditions for the growth of this plant, and it can be easily maintained in the home and apartment environment. It should be noted that because 95% of the texture of aloe vera leaves is composed of water, this plant is susceptible to frost because the cold environment causes the plant’s leaves to fall. Therefore, the ambient temperature for cold seasons should be set to more than 7 degrees Celsius.

Aloe vera plants can retain water for a long time and can be said not to need constant watering in the apartment. It is recommended to water the plant only when scorched and without moisture and avoid daily watering.

To store aloe vera at home, it is better to use clay pots, and it is better to use windy sand, arable soil, and leaf soil in the soil composition used for it. You can put any commercial quality mixture in a pot by adding coarse-grained sand, perlite, or even granite pebbles.

When planting aloe vera, keep in mind that this plant should be in a place that is exposed to indirect sunlight because direct sunlight can burn its delicate skin. Also, due to the sensitivity of this plant to cold in winter, this greenhouse flower can be stored. In greenhouse conditions, it is better to reduce the intensity of sunlight on the greenhouse ceiling by 50% the light by spraying paint and clay. This helps to preserve the active ingredients of the plant, and its leaves do not shrink.

Aloe vera plant has rapid growth, and its roots tend to expand, so after about a year, we must evaluate the growing conditions of the plant and the potting space and change it if necessary. In the meantime, you should be careful not to damage the plant’s roots when changing the pot.
The pot used for aloe vera should be placed in a well-ventilated and relatively warm place and fertilized every 15 to 25 days. This helps the plant to flower better (usually in early spring).

Aloe vera is propagated by using two methods of using seeds and plant cuttings. After preparing the seeds, a medium-sized pot is ready for sowing, and we fill it with a mixture of coarse-grained sand and perlite. In the next step, we press the soil by hand until it is hard enough, and then we spread aloe vera seeds on its surface. In this method, it is better to keep the potting soil moist for the seeds to germinate better.
After sowing the seeds and watering the plant, you can cover the pot with light nylon so that the air flows well inside the pot’s soil and its moisture is maintained.
In the propagation method by cuttings, once every ten months, you can remove the stem or freshly sprouted bushes from the leaves of this plant and use it in another pot. Note that aloe vera species generally overgrow, and if they have grown to a certain extent, we must replace the pot immediately after removing the cuttings. This prevents the aloe vera roots from thickening and wilting.

Fertilization and replacement of aloe vera soil are usually done once a year, and for this purpose, dilute (watery) fertilizers, organic fertilizers, or semi-strong fertilizers (10-40-10) are used.
This is best done in early spring to late summer because it helps a lot to grow aloe vera flowers better.

The aphid reduces the growth and weakness of the plant, yellowing, browning, shrinkage of the plant leaves due to the consumption of sap and injuring the skin of the plants. This pest is also one of the main factors in transmitting pathogens in plants.

Generally, when this plant is kept wet at home or in the greenhouse, we will see this problem in its leaves. Black or brown spots and leaves cause the whole plant to wither and turn brown over time. Lack of wetting of leaves and the use of hammers containing copper can be effective in this disease.

Bacterial leaf rot is another disease that causes dark, watery areas on the base of the leaves. The leaves gradually turn yellow and rot, destroying the plant. Excessive watering of the plant is one of the aggravating causes of this disease.

As a result of this disease, small brown or black spots appear on the leaves. This disease damages the beauty and freshness of the plant over time. Remaining moisture on the plant’s leaves and low ambient light are among the irritating causes of this disease.

This disease occurs when the plant bed remains moist. The leaves turn yellow, and the stem rots. You need to remove the plant from the pot and the rotten areas. For a few days, place the plant in a dry place away from direct sunlight that will lose some moisture. Then treat the plant with suitable fungicides and plant it in a new pot.

With its beautiful appearance, Aloe vera is always one of the attractive options for use in homes and apartments. This species belongs mainly to the southeastern regions of Saudi Arabia and is considered a toxic /non-toxic plant for pets and infants. Aloe vera has been used as a houseplant in many countries, and it is interesting to know that these flowers can grow in all seasons! You can breed and propagate them by understanding their maintenance systems, such as suitable ambient temperature, soil conditions, and suitable distances for irrigation. In this article, we wanted to give you reasonably comprehensive information on how to store aloe vera. If you have any questions or concerns about this issue, please contact us in the comments section.