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Cacti & Succulents

Need Help with Aloe Plant Growing too Tall

7 years ago

Hello!
We've had an aloe plant for several years. It continues to grow upwards more and more, and I'm not quite sure what to do with it. I'm including a picture here. Thank you for the help!

Featured Answer

Karen S. (7b, NYC)

7 years ago

Thx, now we can see it.

Your plant is reaching for more light, that's why it's leaning like that. That soil could use improvement, like adding perlite to it, mixed in equal parts of each (50/50).

The pot MAY be too big, unless the plant has very large roots.

Generally these Aloes do best in terra cotta pots, not much larger than the plant itself & w/ the most direct sun you can give it (after gradually increasing its exposure).

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Comments (19)

lmontestella
7 years ago
Pls try again Jordan, it seems the pic didn't post.
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
7 years ago
You can prune many Aloes, and they will branch considerably. Then you can root the top portion and have a stout, but shortened plant.

Josh
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There it is! Well, it looks healthy except it needs more light than you're giving it. After you acclimate it to more light (2-3 weeks) you may want to consider re-potting it in a faster draining soil. I don't want to get into a soil discussion on this thread (you hear me soil people?:) but you'll eventually find that you need to mix your own soil. There are many threads about the famous 'Al's Gritty Mix' and you can research that yourself. I like to mix bagged Cactus soil(not MiracleGrow) with volcanic pumice in equal parts. I've also recently been mixing in sifted Napa #8822 oil absorbent which is a lightweight mineral of the appropriate grit. Anyhow, more light, better soil, good luck!
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I posted - THIS LINK - on your other post; mybe it will help to get ID. BTW, do not be afraid of repotting plants if they need it - depending on why, they could suffer more damage if not repotted. I do not think your plant is in desperate need of repotting, rather aesthetic. Depending on species, repotting my or may not help it to grow straight - but I understand why you would want to :) Some sp, that are not trailing naturally or if trail are not that huge - like A. juvenna in your other post - will look best if beheaded to get rid of elongated stem. ETA: just adding photo, not same aloe as yours - this is most likely Aloe maculata. Some are getting etiolated - only so much space with good light !:). It is compact plant in proper light conditions. But they will be decapitated and re-rooted in Spring:
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Karen S. (7b, NYC)
7 years ago
Pls post your pic HERE, using the photo icon just below. Your link asks me to sign in to Yahoo which I shouldn't have to do.
Jordan Cohen
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Woo, it worked this time.
Jordan Cohen
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I'm definitely planning on repotting it with better soil, and in a better pot (with appropriate light). the tricky part is the weight, since the top is definitely too heavy for the stem.
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
7 years ago
Cut and reroot, Jordan. It's easily done. In fact, it's discussed today on another thread.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4517290/aloe-no-roots-help-with-pictures?n=5
Jordan Cohen thanked cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
Jordan Cohen
Original Author
7 years ago
Will do! Based on the thinness of the stem, about how far down would you recommend I cut? As you can probably tell, I'm a bit of a plant luddite.
garrett222
7 years ago
I would cut about 2 inches down from the green. That would give enough energy for a new plant to grow from the bottom stem and roots to form on the top.
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
As Garrett said, so would I. You can also repot the original stem into something smaller - chances are more pups will grow from it as long as the soil's porous and you don't water much.
Laura F (z9FL)
7 years ago
i have a vamombe (sp) that is quite tall- 6feet-I feel like cutting it would kill it. What do you think?
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
7 years ago
Laura,

Show us a pic and your question will be better answered, but generally, that's a distinct possibility - when stems are very thick, they're difficult to reroot.
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
7 years ago
Aloe vaombe is a tree type of Aloe. It wants to be 6 feet tall (or taller).
cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5
7 years ago
Gail, I was thinking that, too, but is it rerootable at that size if it's cut/roots gone?
Sandy Zingsheim Otto
3 years ago
I think my aloe is dying from the bottom up can I cut the top half off and regrow it?
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Photo pls? Most likely not...
HU-484845831
3 years ago
The plant seems like it does not recive much sunlight, put it in the brightest spot you can find, and let it be, it will do well.
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
HU-xxxx31

It seems to me that yo are commenting on the photo posted 3yrs ago...OP did not even post since.

New post by Sandy was 3 days ago now, with a different problem, and she did not post a photo - at least I do not see one...
HU-484845831
3 years ago
oh wait 3 years ago? i Didn’t notice that lol

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