Repotting (& rerooting?) Ailing Aloe Vera with Perlite
minnesota_flo
12 years ago
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cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
12 years agominnesota_flo
12 years agoRelated Discussions
Please help? Aloe Vera dying
Comments (3)Thank you so much for replying cactusmcharris 4! My mother Aloe has a few (very few) white/yellow roots and the pup's roots seemed to be all brown. I did read the Aloe FAQs, but I was scared to try to reroot without getting some more knowledgeable advice first since the plants have been stressed and are so sick right now. I am really unsure how to reroot as well since it is from root rot and not just a pup I am trying to split. Do I cut above all the roots into the stem? Also, I replanted yesterday and the center of both plants already have a healthier shade of green now, can they recover if I don't cut the rest of the roots off or is that a death sentence?...See Morerepotting aloe vera
Comments (3)In most aloes, that would actually be OK... most aloes in which the stem is cleaned can even have the stem cut off and rerooted but sticking the cut stem in the soil (I do it all the time with many dozens of species). There are a few that do not root easily (Aloe ramosissima and dichotoma for two) but most almost continue to grow without even a hitch. You have to be careful not to water when doing this, but most aloes will send out roots from anywhere in the stem if given a chance. But it is also likely your aloe does not need to be repotted as aloes seem to do quite well in small pots even if terribly root bound (unless there is almost no soil left, THEN it is for sure time to pot up)....See More30 year old Aloe Vera
Comments (11)Are you in North Carolina? The nights are still pretty cool over there in those parts. It may be safest to wait until it warms up a bit, and withhold any watering. The stem of your aloe looks pretty weak. I'm wondering if there is at least some rot or atrophy to the tissues there. You won't know until you cut into it. It's a good looking plant up top, and holds lots of promise. If it was mine, I would (once temperatures warm up, maybe late March): 1) cut the stem 2-3" from the bottom leaf with a sharp and disinfected knife (10% bleach solution works fine), inspect for dark spots. 2) If you find dark spots, remove a couple of the lower leaves by peeling the whole leaf away (they wrap around the stem), exposing the growth joints. Do this until you can cut the stem to healthy green tissue. It may be best to cut to where the stem is straight and the aloe is upright. The stem stump that will be under soil level does not need to be straight- but it helps to support and balance while it reroots. 3) Sprinkle some ground cinnamon on the cut and allow the aloe to callous over the cut in a shady but well ventilated area for a day. I've found aloes need much less time to callous their wounds than other succulents. A shaded porch works great. Bring it inside overnight if temps fall below 50 or if it's raining, just to be safe. 4) Pot it up in a well draining mixture that is not damp. The bottom of the lower-most leaf can be touching the soil surface, but no lower. Some leaf contact with the soil helps the plant stay upright. Use some stones, chopsticks, BBQ skewers, etc. to support it in an upright position. 5) Place in a sheltered spot out of direct sun but with bright light for 2 weeks. You can mist the leaves and soil surface lightly to hold off desiccation. After two weeks, water the perimeter of the pot thoroughly, but not the base of the aloe. 6) Move to its intended location. If you want it in full sun, it's important to transition over the course of two weeks to full sun, moving it gradually to more sun exposure. This will prevent 'sunburn'. Water as needed. The leaves get a bit softer to the touch when it wants water. You should see new growth within 4-5 weeks. * the aloe will change color, probably blush a rusty reddish color, in full sun. These are all safety steps. I've decapitated too leggy aloes and potted them up immediately or planted in the ground, withholding water for about 2 weeks, without problem. But a 30 year old plant deserves a little bit of tenderness. Best of luck!...See MoreRe-potted Aloe Vera turning brown - Ideas of cause?
Comments (30)After reading this thread, I realized I have a chinesis aloe. Lol. What brought me here though was because my whole aloe turned a light to medium brown. I recently (about 2 weeks or so ago) re.potted the thing into a bigger pot. He was in the small 4 inch plastic container that I bought him in over a year ago. So I did that. I fertilized him right away, which was the first time I’ve fertilized him this season.... it is spring here going into summer now. (I’m in zone 5b-6a (Western New York) depending on the map) anyways, I used potting soil and LOTS of perilite. The thing is, the soil feels very compacted. I even have poked a bamboo skewer into the soil to try to U.N. pack it some. Not sure if this is normal at first? The plant seemed to be doing okay, until I put him outside for about 4 days in direct sun (he was previously sitting in a south facing window sill in the house and did really well) I was told he needed more sun light by an avid Gardner so I put him outside. It’s rained on and off here for the past few days, so now that it’s brown, I’m not really sure what caused it because I did so many possible things that could have caused it. I mean, he was bone dry the other day before I watered him..... I was trying to let him dry out completely as I was worried about root rot. So I watered him thoroughly, but then it rained the very next day lol so was it under watered or overwatered? It was it because of too much sun? I’m so confused! Lol I don’t want the little bugger to die on me. I’ve grown quite fond of him! He’s a smaller guy, hasn’t grown much over the past year I’ve had him, and after reading this thread, I now know why..... these ornamental ones grow slowly. Can anyone help me? I’ve since brought him inside and out of any source of sunlight. I should add that it’s very hot and humid here during summer, as I’m right on the shores of Lake Erie...See Morecactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
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