I would take it out of that decorative pot and use a saucer instead. I water my aloe when the soil looks dry. If I were you I'd not water it for at least 2 weeks. It is a succulent, so it will survive. With most of my plants I can tell if they need water by lifting there pots up. If your doesn't have drainage you should repot it.

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!

I think different people fertilize differently. I spent about two years just READING on GW before ever posting here. I think I have read everything that Al (Tapla) ever posted, plus a lot from Josh and Joe and Rina and many others. I do fertilize my plants in gritty mix or pumice at every watering….a very light dose, but a dose. I don't do because I want to stimulate over-growth, and in fact, it doesn't do that to my plants. I do it because I read that I should do it during that two years of reading I spent here, studying up on various form of gritty mix -- with and without bark, floor dry vs. Turface, perlite vs. pumice, etc etc. And so far, it has worked well, probably because I don't tend to over-water anything. I have plants in combination mixes -- mostly gritty but maybe 15-20% C/S soil added, and they don't get fertilized all the time. I think it's an individual practice that you (Kim) will develop as you watch your plants grow. A lot depends on climate. I'm lucky -- I am in Florida, lots of sun, lots of heat, pretty good growing conditions. I am sure you will help your plants adapt to your particular growing conditions.

Karen Thnx; maybe I should try it :). Hydrogen peroxide is used as a disinfectant and sterilizer; I remember that school (and homes) had bottle ready to clean up/disinfect scrapes we got as kids. I remember it foaming slightly when there was some blood - I wonder if hat was reaction/decomposition when in contact wih organic (I read about it decomposing...) I wonder if it would be really harmful to plants? It is in many products we use and put in our mouths- like a teeth whiteners, or a Peridex = oral rinse and many more products. I think in small amounts, should check it out. As everything, probably should not be overused... Mike Thank you, I am fine. Just forgot to start the thread as I didn't have anything blooming...but it was started by Tyler. hope you are OK too.