How big should an aloe vera pup be for separation?

9 years ago

My aloe vera plant is currently growing its first pup...I'm wondering how big the pup should be before i separate and transplant it? I recently had to cut the top portion off of the mother plant at the stem and transplant it to root, and the bottom rooted portion of the mother is looking a little sad...I'm worried that it will die before the pup reaches the usual size that I see people transplanting at. currently, it is poking out of the soil about an inch, and when I dig around it a bit it seems attatched about an inch and a half down...I'm guessing that this is too small to separate it, but it does look very healthy and has three small leaves total...I'm a bit of a beginner in the green thumb field, so any advice helps :)

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Comments (4)

Kaegen Lau
9 years ago
Well, an offshoot can theoretically be transplanted at any size. It really is best if the offshoot has roots before you plant it.

To be on the safe side, I might hold off until the pup reaches 2 inches in height. As for the mother plant, the sad-looking base shouldn't be anything to worry about, unless it is getting moldy. If the plant starts to rot, the stem at the base and up will progressively get off-colored. I recently had to do the same with my aloe. I had watered the cut plant when I transplanted it, and that got it starting to mold. I cut off the discolored portion and it started to root after a few weeks. It molded more easily because I really didn't let the cut callus over, and I should have.

I'd say for the parent plant, let the cut callus over, if it hasn't already, and don't water it. You can check it every so often for roots, like once a week. The same treatment will work for the pup also. It is best if it has roots to begin with, though.

No worries! :)
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
9 years ago
Some Aloes offset without roots, and a gander at the Aloe FAQ will help you with information on rooting it.

A picture of your plant will help too in diagnosing what's possibly wrong.

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>> You are wise to use Aloe Vera. This plant is mentioned in the Bible five times ... No, the aloes mentioned in the Bible are not Aloe vera - it is aloes wood, which comes from the heartwood of certain tropical trees. Other names for the resin mentioned in the Bible include Oud, agarwood and eaglewood. This type of aloes is very different from aloe vera - it is similar to sandalwood in many ways, and the Bible mentions it as a perfume ... Aloe vera has little value as a perfume, while agarwood/oud/aloes is a very notable perfume. Aloe vera is great for skin conditions, no doubt. It doesn't matter if the shepherds that lived in the Middle East thousands of years ago knew about Aloe vera or not - if it helps with a skin condition, then it helps with a skin condition. Christians rarely use the type of aloe mentioned in the Bible, although it is still used in Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism as a perfume or incense.
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I would do both. I would grow Aloe vera outside in the ground in the garden. Aloes love to grow in the ground much better than in pots. It does pup furiously and you are in Zone 9. If you do get a light freeze, it will come back from the roots easily. I have some coming back from a freeze down toi 15F. True, 2 years later, LOL. I would use the store bought stuff till you have a good sized bunch going. It will proliferate, and if you are using it every day, you will need a nice bank of it. I give it a bit of shade because the Texas sun is merciless. I would keep both on hand until you get a feel for the right sized bank going where one can harvest and not over harvest according to your uses. You might research because some of the other aloes are also medicinal and good for skin and other stuff too. I spent 3 weeks on an intensive care ward on the windward side of Oahu in the 70's. I had third degree burns. My eye lid was split and my cheek was hamburger. I had 3rd degree burns down my arms , body and legs. They were not hugely bad 3 degree burns except for those on my face. I am a red head. I had people smuggle in aloe vera since I could not really figure out what they were doing to treat my burns. I was the first real burn patient in this little hospital in years. I kept the aloe coming and they were amazed at my progress. An intern said that red haired people usually scar less from burns because of our lack of pigment. I swear it was because of the aloe. When I am burned, it is the first thing I grab for.
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I would worry about them dying too, but look at the dates of the posts: first one is June 16th, so photo was taken no later than that date. Second post is today-August 4th. So I am thinking that if they didn't die in about 6 weeks or longer, and had been sitting in same location they must be acclimitized well...of course that is just the way I think :) and could be very wrong! And greening of the plants on left suggest to me that even little bit of shade and little more water (drops from window AC units) makes quite a difference
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You do know Aloes are succulents right? As such they are able to hold water in reserve in their leaves. I have multiple Aloes growing on a west window, I don't water more often than 7-10 days. Not sure why you're watering so much, doesn't seem right & sounds like it won't end well. 3" of mix is a lot of mix beneath the roots, especially if you're watering so often. You were asked for a pic for a reason, so we can see from the plant, what's going on from the look of the plant, tells much more than any description. Can't really give General advice like that, too many variables.
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wantonamara Z8 CenTex
9 years ago
It looks like you have two pups.. Let it hang on until 2"-3" at least. The more the better. If there are no roots on it, Cut it and mist it for a month. It will start putting out roots and then start to water it. I have had pups all winter without diet or water, waiting for roots to form. Sometimes I put them in piled rocks and water the rocks and that creates a moist atmosphere but no standing water.
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
9 years ago
Mara,

Is there a picture in the first post which I'm not seeing but you are? I'm thinking your response below my picture is involving my plant, not the OP's. Is that right / not right?

Cheers,

Jeff

How big should an aloe vera pup be for separation?

Comments (4)

Kaegen Lau

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5

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