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Cacti & Succulents

Need some advice on my new aloe vera plant

8 years ago

I've bought a aloe vera plant from ebay and the leaves looks like they are dying since I have planted it so I was wondering if someone could tell me what I'm doing wrong.

The person I bought it off said once I receive the plant I should repot it straight away with John Innes number 2 and perlite then give it a good watering but make sure you only water it again when the soil has completely dried out. So I went and bought John Innes number 2 and perlite and used a mix of 1 part perlite and 2 parts of john innes and give it a good watering but now the leaves looks like they are dying. When I checked the soil it looked soaking wet and the soil was really compacted so I pushed a stick in to the soil and water started to drain out so I'm guessing I compacted the soil to much. So should I start again but how much perlite should I use to soil and should I water it straight away as some people say don't water it for a week until the plant settles.

Featured Answer

woodnative

8 years ago

With that much perlite it shouldn't be compact. How much root did it have and did the roots look healthy? A lot of times with plants like Aloe that are re cently divided and/or mailed there is little living root and the plant needs to grow new roots in order for it to start absorbing water to plump up those leaves again. The danger of soil that stays moist is it can rot the plant. Do you see any brown/softness that looks like rot at the base of the plant (e.g. at the soil line)?? If not it may just need time. The soil shouldn't be too compact. I am not familiar with john innes but with that much perlite added it should not be too compact unless it was really really packed down hard. If you repot it it might not hurt too add a little moisture just to get good stem to soil contact without making things too wet. Else the plant really can't USE the moisture until it begins to grow new roots. It can survive getting a little limp in the meantime until it is able to regrow.

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Comments (7)

LH CO/FL
8 years ago
Does the pot have good drainage?
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I understand your being hesitant to repot the plants again so soon after the first repot. I was in the same situation. Folks here told me that I could leave my plant in the less than optimum soil and hope for the best or get them into soil where it will thrive asap. I went for the second repot and my plant is doing great. I'm currently in SW Florida, zone 10A, but I grew up in zone 6 in Portsmouth, OH. While regular potting soil works so-so in Ohio, and my mother still uses it, I think you may do better with at least a cactus and succulent soil. You still need to mix at least 50/50 perlite or pumice with the soil. Every succulent that I used potting soil on when I lived in Toledo died from rot. I didn't think I was overwatering, but the plants did. I think the soil was a big factor. Hopefully the sun will be shining for you soon! It will lift your spirits and help your plants thrive.
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It won't strangle itself, but maybe you if it could. It needs more light to grow in a stronger, more compact, and proper form. Your plant is severely etiolated. Brad
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Thank you for the quick response. Also do i use the pulp (gel) the same way?
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It looks like a very "messy" example of one type I grew in most places I lived. I was told that it's good for internal pain (among other things), eg bones, mucles... I tried it and it seemed to work on me. So I used it while the kids were still home. Each time we moved I'd find another same Aloe in the area. So I'd break of a branch, from the back if I could, just stuck it in the ground and it always grew. I'm not sure about the "aloin" though, maybe we were just lucky. Better check it before using. For years I've been looking for an online scource for the medicinal uses for the different species of aloe. Those that have those uses anyway. If anyone knows of any I would love for someone to provide a link or a name. Our whole family suffer from sensitive skin ailments. Thanks
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me me
Original Author
8 years ago
The one plant has about 5 or 6 roots and they look healthy but there is a smaller plant that has 1 root but that looks brown at the base of the plant. If I repot the plant what ratio of perlite should I add to soil and should I give the soil and perlite a spray of water before adding the plant or will there be enough moisture in the soil.
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
8 years ago
If the part of the smaller plant is brown, it may or may not be a problem: squeeze it gently to see if it is soft. If soft, there could be rot or hopefully, only waterlogged and may dry up. Take them out of the soil, let sit on some newspaper or kitchen towels to dry up, in well ventilated spot (not direct sun). Make sure you get off all the mucky soil - wash it off if necessary. It won't die if out of soil for a while (even few days).

How about the leaves - are they just limp or yellowish-looking and very soft? Photo would help...

I am not familiar with your soil either (but many members from UK use it - hopefully they will see your post & comment), but I would mix it with min 50% of perlite. If you could get some grit, it may help, mixing approx. 20% of soil and 40/40% of perlite.

Make sure there are drainage holes in the pot. Do not press soil down too hard when potting, just firm it up. Poking around perimeter of the pot while adding soil will help it to settle down. You could always use some larger rocks to support the plant after potting - while it is growing roots to anchor itself in the pot.
me me thanked rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
me me
Original Author
8 years ago
I've taken the plants out of the pots and the one that was brown is not soft. The other plant the leave are slightly yellowish green and the roots are wet so I'm guessing I compacted the soil to much so water cannot drain away.
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
8 years ago
Photo would really help...
me me
Original Author
8 years ago
My camera is broken so I cannot take a photo but I have found a photo on this forum what one of my leaves looked like before the leaf went flat and looks like it's going to die. Can I use chicken grit mixed in with the soil and perlite.

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