Need help my Aloe Vera begun forming white spots
Ela Cherry
6 years ago
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoEla Cherry
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRelated Discussions
Need help - is my aloe plant getting too crowded?
Comments (10)I regularly contrast the terms potting up and repotting while drawing illustrative contrasts between the two practices, and was addressing the OPs initial concern about whether or not the plant's roots were getting "too crowded". Potting up, unless it's undertaken before the roots/soil mass become unitized to the point the roots and soil remain intact when the plant is unpotted (which hobby growers rarely do), offers only a temporary return to 'something a little closer to the plant's genetic growth/vitality potential' and is a limiting practice over the long term, even if it offers a temporary return to a little bit better growth. What most growers interpret as a growth "spurt" after potting up is simply the plant partially rebounding from the root constriction and related issues it was suffering, and returning to that 'something a little closer to normal growth' state. Vigor is genetically encoded and you can never, under any circumstances, force a plant to grow at beyond its genetic potential; so growth "spurts" after repotting aren't really "spurts" at all. Repotting, along with bare-rooting, root pruning, and a change of soil (preferably to a fast-draining mix that is well-aerated and durable) offers rejuvenation (literally) that returns the plant to a state where it's possible for the plant to grow at or very near it's genetic potential (within the limiting influence of other cultural factors) and to be returned to that state over and over with each repotting - indefinitely. Potting up does not offer that potential. One practice limits - the other removes limitations. Appropriate pot size, from a physiological perspective, hinges almost entirely on the choice of soil. The more water retentive/slow-draining the soil is, the more critical the choice of pot size is because of the negative effects of the perched water table inherent in heavy soils. As the soil choice moves toward better aeration and drainage, properties directly linked to reduced volumes of perched water in soils, the less critical the choice of container size is; until finally, when the perched water table disappears entirely, there is no upper limit on what is physiologically appropriate insofar as container size is concerned. You can easily grow the tiniest seedling in a 100 gallon container when using soils that don't support perched water if you have a mind to, and enjoy the accelerated growth the large soil volume offers - with no worry about root rot issues. If the roots of Emerald's plant are congested, stasis is the least desirable choice, followed by potting up. She can realize optimal growth (again - within the limiting influences of other cultural factors) by undertaking a full repot into a fast draining soil, the benefits of which are much more far-reaching than just the added growth potential. Al...See MoreAloe Vera Help
Comments (7)I've heard different things about being able to grow a new aloe plant from a leaf, so I thought I'd try it myself. Some say it can (like a typical succulent) and some say it can't. My one attempt with 5 leaves (as a test) all failed, but I also may have had too much moisture and learned more since, so I'm going to try again this season. You can do it 1,2, or 3 all in one pot, depending on the pot size and how many pots you want to be taking care of. The soil type is not optimum but I would leave it as it is what the roommate wanted. Though if you can contact the roommate and ask about changing the potting soil, then go ahead. The plant has been doing OK in that pot probably because the roommate knew about it and would water infrequently, but for the sake of learning and putting that learning to use, then moving it to a proper soil would at least eliminate any future problems....See MoreI read that my 'aloe vera' might not be
Comments (18)I know very little about plants but am learning as I go. I am especially new at nomenclature. I had an "aloe vera" bought at some store or other-bright green with spots. I had it a couple of years and it got very big with my care and had many pups that I cut off and gave away several times. When it was about two feet tall (not counting the bloom)it lost its spots and became less bright green and started to bloom every late winter with yellow flowers. It still had many, many pups. Maybe the confusion is just that the plant is differant colors depending on light and/or age. Lots of pictures of the same kind of succulent are all different colors, same plant, depending on light and heat and culture etc. Too bad mine was over balanced in its pot and did a suicide leap off the desk. Now I am back to one little 3 in. pup, bright green with spots, that isn't getting much light under a plant light in the basement. I am inspired now to bring it up into the light...where it will get huge again... and less green and..... I will post a picture on the gallery page. I know how to do that, I think....See MoreAloe with black spots needs help
Comments (21)Be sure to avoid too much moisture, which is what caused this to happen in the first place. :) Once you can stick your whole finger down and feel that the soil is not moist anymore (sometimes it seems wet, but it's really just cool, so you actually have to rub your fingers together and ask yourself "do I feel water or crumbly dryness" and if it's crumbly dryness, then water thoroughly. Let all water run out of the bottom and just give it a good rinsing until you see water rushing out the holes. Lift the container. Does it feel like it absorbed enough water? Maybe you need to wait a few minutes and soak again, but this only applies when it needs it....See MoreEla Cherry
6 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoEla Cherry
6 years agoEla Cherry
6 years agoEla Cherry
6 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoEla Cherry
6 years agoSurinder Kaur
3 years agoKarenS, NYC
3 years agoSandra Owusu
3 years ago
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a