Search these forums and read up on "gritty mix" before diving in. Bagged cactus soil is actually terrible for cacti and succulents, more so than the regular bagged stuff.

Joe

I thought the cactus soil mix would work ok as I've seen it recommended a lot for the Aloe Vera plant.

What would you recommend for gritty mix? I am seeing a lot of differing results lol

Thank you! I was thinking that should do the job!

I am buying some grown Aloe Vera from the store, I know they come potted but I am planning on buying new pots and getting them repotted straight away? Would you say that's a good plan or not because I hear this is the time of year when I should repot and fertilize them anyway

And I am starting out with whatever size the store has for Aloe Vera! Not sure what size but as I learn more I am aiming to grow a wider variety of medicinal herbs!

Thanks for your input Tracy, I really appreciate it!

Repot them right away, but keep the pot proportional to the plant size. If you put a small plant in too large of a pot, it takes too long for the soil to dry and the roots will rot. If you do fertilize I would recommend cutting the dose in 1/2 or 1/4 of whatever the directions state to begin with until you see how they are going to respond. And don't forget to post some pics when you bring home your new joy.

Tracy

Thanks that's what I was thinking, repot and then water?

I read a lot about the pot size and how it needs to be proportionate to the plant so think I should be ok with that!

And after watering it, wait, then try diluted fertiliser.

I will post photo's I am going down tomorrow to see some! :) and will probably have other questions, I am seriously an extreme beginner and don't know much about much lol

I generally don't water immediately after a repot. The roots need a couple of days to heal. If you water immediately there is more chance of causing roots to rot. Wait a couple days, then water. I would wait for the transplant shock to wear off before fertilizing. You know your plant is ready for water and food when it starts showing you new growth.

Just know that any peat moss based mix is going to decompose, no matter how much perlite you add, leading to poor drainage and increased potential for overwatering. I figure if you're gonna start a hobby, why not start it right and read up on soils first and learn why the gritty mix is far superior to bagged soils, especially for succulents.

Joe

Thanks for the input Joe and Tracy!! I appreciate you taking the time, and will use it wisely!

I went to the store today, got pots, tools, compost mix, cactus mix, potting mix, builders sand.

The Aloe plants have been dispatched today so it should be here on saturday or monday!

Am I missing something I may need? I'm real sure the pots are the perfect aloe Vera plant size I will attach a photo of one, it has a nice size hole at the bottom for drainage aswell!

A piece of old screen or newspaper to cover that hole, but all that soil and no perlite / pumice? The sand shouldn't be used, and the only soil that you should use is a cactus mix/perlite combination. Although A. vera is not a demanding Aloe, it does need a modicum of drainage, and all that other stuff will impede same.

I thought the hole was a good thing and that it needed it!

Also the perlite should be here by monday I forgot to mention they had none at the store!

Thanks for the advice friend, I am going to try the cactus and perlite and see how they go! Will post pics when they arrive!

I was wondering do all Aloe Vera plants grow to the same size leafs? I notice some pics the aloe leafs are very narrow almost like spikes, and other aloe leafs are like a nice fat fish ready to be skinned. I'm hoping for the latter type of aloe leafs lol

Also after I have put them in the perlite/cactus mix, is there anything I could use to help them grow better? Fertiliser of some kind? I read that 10-40-10 is the best for AV

Thanks again for input!

The hole is a good thing, the old square / parallelogram of screen or newspaper is to keep the soil mix from spilling out of the pot. If they're properly grown, yes, there's a 'regular' size they grow to. No, don't water for a few days and resist your temptation to fertilize for several weeks, at least, and when you do, dilute it to 1/4 strength. Water the plants about four days after repotting. These are not AVs and don't need nor do they want the same kind of care. A balanced one is usually best.

Ahh I follow you! Great I will make sure that gets done aswell!

And I will resist the temptation for a month at least before I think about fertilising thanks for insight!

When you say dilute to 1/4 strength, I've seen this mentioned a lot, how on earth would I dilute the fertiliser to 1/4 strength?

Also I will wait before I water thank you, when I repot them in the new soil from the one they arrive in, should I take all the soil away from the roots, and plant them in the new pots "naked"?

Or do I just make a hole in the new soil and place it in straight from the pot without taking away the current soil?

I guarantee you will see how much of a beginner I am at this by the questions I ask lol

John, it's OK - things are self-evident sometimes, even for me.

If it calls for one spoon per gallon, use a 1/4 spoon, or make four gallons from one spoon and water other succulents / plants with it.

Yes, clean up the rootball, leaving healthy roots, and put into the pot. Then raise the plant to desired soil level and backfill with your mix. Tamp the soil slightly down, and add more soil until the the plant is firmly in the pot, but the soil isn't enveloping the leaves.

Seriously greatful for this help guys. The Aloe Vera have arrived!

And they look even better than I was expecting to be honest!

The perlite is arriving in the next hour, so I will be able to repot them soon as they are far too big for those little things.

When mixing cactus soil and the perlite should I just go for half and half?

And when I'm taking the aloe out of their current pots, I should remove all the dirt, tend to the roots, then repot in fresh soil? And wait a few days before watering?

I just don't want to kill them!!

I use ProMix BX. I put a plant in a pot and ignore it till it outgrows the pot.

I have repotted them now all for about 5 days, they had really over grown the little ones they came in. I haven't watered or done anything to them just kinda let them settle a bit!

They are in front of the living room window getting partial sunlight everyday and decent temperatures.

Was thinking I should maybe water them tomorrow? And then sort out a schedule to water them regularly?

Still learning about all this so thanks for any advice!

I agree 5 days is a good rest. I think it's okay to water them. Another thing to mention, you might want to lift them up before you water to get a good idea of what they weigh before watering. This is a good indicator for being able to tell when your plants need water. Eventually you will pick up the pot and know immediately if it needs to be watered or not.

Tracy

Thanks Tracy I really wish I had looked at your comment right before I did the deed. Lol they are now watered... well.. sprinkled. However I'm going to try and keep track of weight lol

I have a kind of squirt liquid gun? I use that to water plants but I don't feel it does it good enough some how and its seemingly only watering the top layer

Where as with a watering can I feel it would be watered more thoroughly? Would you advise I just get the watering can or is this problem only in my mind?

You will want to water thoroughly John. Enough so that some water runs out of the drainage holes. Then do not water again until the soil is dry.

Try to avoid pouring water directly on the plant's leaves, as the crown can rot if water settles in and sits there. Believe me, I have killed dozens of Aloe hybrids this way. So water AROUND the plant, not the leaves of the plant. It does not matter if you use a cup, a jar, a watering can, or a hose. Just make sure you keep the crown of the plants free of standing water.

Tracy

Such a blessing to have a wealth of knowledge online to help lol

Thanks Tracy, I definitely did not water til water came through the drainage holes, rookie mistake lol

I will re-water outside til the water drains from the bottom, I'm assuming I should remove the kitchen paper from the drainage hole at the bottom aswell so water can travel easily?

Thanks again!

John

Thanks very much everybody for the input!

After I unpacked the Aloe's when they arrived they weren't in the greatest shape, I had to wait another few days before I could replant and by that time some leaves had to go, and others were blotchy and unhealthy looking!

I eventually repotted them and set them in their new place, and waited about 5-6 days before I watered them, still looking unhealthy and fatigued!

About a week or so has passed and the leaves are fighting back! The blotchy parts of the leaves are bbeing filled with smooth gel and the floppy hanging leaves are beginning to look strong again! They just needed a good drink!

Just to check, how often do should I water roughly? I will check soil at different times aswell.

And I won't rush the fertiliser or anything but I am told this is the season it should be done!

Don't want to rush it tho, thanks for all help team!