Nita Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 I have a aloe plant I got from an old house my daughter moved into. It looked kind of dormant, but still living. It needs transplanted, and separated. How do I do it? Do I just stick it into potting soil, or do I have to root it? Some of it has separated, but it is still living. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petee Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Repot it into a heavy unglazed clay pot as they tend to be a little top heavy. You also want to use a pot that might seem a little small because too much soil mass will hold a lot of water around their roots and they don't like wet feet. They prefer to suck up some water and then dry out. Now is a good time to divide it up too, as it probably has offshoots around the base of the parent plant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Aloes do go semi-dormant in the winter so I'd wait maybe another month before messing with it unless it is in dire need. If you are going to divide it just tease off the offsets with your fingers or cut through the root mass with a sharp knife. You can get rid of any dead roots when you divide. Aloe plants are generally planted in shallow pots or bowls because they have a broad root system rather than a deep one. The roots of desert plants cover as much area as possible to obtain as much water as they can get. Planting in a deep pot can cause root rot as the excess soil in the bottom will stay wet. A shallower, wider pot allows the roots to spread nearer the surface in the way they do in nature. If you must use a deeper pot fill the bottom with rocks or gravel. Use a cactus soil or if you use a potting soil add some perlite or sand. For every three cups of potting soil I'd toss in an extra cup of sand or perlite. Good drainage is important. Water only when the soil is dry and then give it a cup or so of water letting it drain thoroughly. That said it is danged hard to kill an aloe plant especially if you have the very common one that is not Aloe vera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nita Posted February 13, 2008 Author Share Posted February 13, 2008 I am good at killing the aloe plants. I usually end up watering them too much. Thanks for the potting tips. The plant actually has separated on it`s own. But where it separated, the area looks dried out. As if there is no root. Can i just put that part in the soil, and maybe it will develop a root? The main root is still intact. But I plan on repotting it. It wont even sit up, because the container is real small. I am just trying to save it, but with my luck with aloe, I don`t know if it will work. lol. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender Posted February 13, 2008 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Yes, just put it in the soil and it should develop a root eventually. Keep an eye on it and if it starts to shrivel give it a bit more water. You want to make it as easy as possible on it since it will have to develop roots on its stored water supply. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 I was watering today and found this aloe that has put up a flower stem. It's never done it before and I'm all excited. Here is a picture of the bud. I'll post one of the flower when it opens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petee Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 You might even want to try starting it in some sand. That will give it maximum drainage for the roots. Try misting the top occasionally so it can still absorb what it needs. Lots of these plants live in deserts where they live on mists or fog and relatively no rain or ground water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nita Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 Thank you for all he advice on the aloe plant. I am going to try to save it. It was 1 plant, but now it is 3 plants. So I have 3 plants to try to save. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petee Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 If it kicks the bucket, let me know I have a couple of dozen that were donated to the garden club and I woudl love to find new homes for them. It's almost seed time and I need the space! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambrch Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I will buy an aloe plant Petee....just let me know..I will make a donation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petee Posted February 19, 2008 Share Posted February 19, 2008 I'll just drop one off if you will give it a home. I've still got a bunch of Spider plants that you donated! :-) The plant nursery is packed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nita Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 Petee, I PM`d you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petee Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Hi Nita, I sent you a huge e-mail. Hope it didn't get lost, but if so, just let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nita Posted February 22, 2008 Author Share Posted February 22, 2008 I pm`d you again. New email address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petee Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Got it and sent you a reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrSeussie Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Lavender, How is the flower coming? Looks like you have some healthy plants to keep it company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Hey, Doc, haven't heard from you in a long time. I dragged the aloe off the shelf where it was living as the flower stem got too tall. It still hasn't opened. I have another plant that I have never seen bloom before throwing up a flower. I'll get a picture. The orchids are blooming up a storm. It is funny how they bloom in sequence. The Phalaenopsis are blooming now and the Miltonidiums are budding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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