Aloe Vera Plant Problems
So I've had this aloe plant (or what I think is an aloe plant) for a while now. It's had some pretty rough times. My cat has tried eating it (cause of the dead pieces and browning), then it began wrinkling and creasing, and now it's leaves are greening up - yet drooping. I repotted it about a month ago, putting rocks in the bottom of the pot for drainage and then using regular soil. It has gotten greener since repotting and the creases are gone, but now I'm lost as to why it's drooping.
Here is a picture of the plant the day it was repotted (one month ago):
Today, one month after repotting:
Comments (6)
Deidra Thames
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Aloe vera or aloe vera
Comments (4)The first is Aloe vera v. chinensis. (blooms orange) The 2nd (although that looks like more spots than usual) which is much larger, thicker leaves & yellow blooms, is Aloe vera/barbadensis. I believe it has been reclassified with the latter name, but most people are still calling it by the former (vera), so one or the other is listed as a synonym. See link below for a pic of an Aloe vera/barbadensis ~Rosemarie, who hangs out on the C&S forum, but pops over here on occasion =) Here is a link that might be useful:...See MoreAloe Vera Problem
Comments (9)Cathie, Yes, it is a gigantic pot. There are things you can do to lighten the whole arrangement while still making your aesthetic point. Let's start from the beginning - scoop out a lot of the soil, then gently turn it on its side so that the plant has the least amount of contact with the deck, and gently pull out. Take a picture of what you have and we'll proceed from there. I have a picture in my mind of what you have, but like Kim Il Sung, his son and grandson, I want to give perfect on-the-spot guidance and counseling for your particular Aloe. It's likely not a big deal, but (1) I think you have it overpotted (but there are ways around that while still using your current pot) and it's in not-good soil. That's in addition to the stem issue. While I am trying to make more work for you, the end result will be a cup of lovely when we're done. As to the goal, I can show you what I'm hoping for a second year - this. I'm pretty sure your plant (if it's the real Aloe vera, but even if it is the poser) is ready to do this this summer. This post was edited by cactusmcharris on Mon, May 20, 13 at 11:26...See Moreneed help to identify this Aloe plant; Aloe Vera???
Comments (14)Certainly not here to dispute the name of the Lowes plant. I bought a couple of the same plants, chuckling to myself that ALL of the aloes were labeled Aloe vera. Mine are PIG, growing well and curiously have lost their spots. You can see some of the spots remain on the bottom, oldest leaves. So I'm pondering the label again. Of course it hasn't flowered yet (about 3 years old), which will add to the info. I guess I wonder if Aloe vera pups start with spots. I have no pups to compare. My plant does not look like the OP's first plants. This post was edited by Crenda on Thu, Aug 7, 14 at 10:23...See MoreNew aloe vera plant problems
Comments (4)I think it's all just mechanical damage, possibly rough handling at the grower, or damage during shipping. The little dark marks appear to be from where the spines on one leaf dug into the flesh of an adjacent leaf during shipping. I just have this tiny screen on which to view it, but I'm pretty confident. The scars will be permanent, or at least until it eventually loses those leaves as it grows. If that bothers you, you might return it, but it's very difficult to keep Aloe vera scar-free. It's skin isn't as tough as some other Aloe species, and I suspect a replacement would also have some marks. In any case, I don't think anything there indicates a health issue. Watch the larger areas of damage, and be sure nothing gets soft or mushy which could mean rot (sometimes starts in damaged areas), but i think it's fine. Best of luck with it!...See More
Crenda 10A SW FL
5 years agoYour plant is probably an Aloe ciliaris, one of the climbing Aloes.
It will clump and climb if given the chance. Here's the same plant a 4-5 years later.
I don't see the problem that you are seeing. Your plant looks pretty good to me (except for the kitty bites, of course).As for potting - Bagged soil, like MiracleGro, retains a lot of water/moisture. I would recommend that you pull your Aloe out of the pot - get all the soil from the roots - and mix is with at least 50% perlite or pumice. The mix will be chunkier, like this -
You need a potting mix that drains well. And you must have a hole in the bottom of the pot for drainage. Succulents do not like to sit in water. Adding rocks to the bottom of the pot does nothing to help with drainage, so please don't try that.
Let the plant dry out between waterings. It will do better if kept dry than it would if too wet. You can check it with a wood skewer, or even a pencil, pushed down into the pot.
Since you cross posted to Alabama, I assume that's where you are. Will you take it outside for the summer? You need to wean your plant into outdoor light. Aloes like full sun, but if you plunk it into the sun it will burn -- just like me!
;-)
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
5 years agoCrenda 10A SW FL
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
5 years ago
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a