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Cacti & Succulents Botany

I don’t know what’s wrong with my aloe

5 years ago

Hi, it’s my first time here, and I’d really appreciate some help on taking care of my aloe plant. I got it a few weeks ago and I repotted it in a cactus mix. The pot has pretty good drainage, I’ve included a photo of the bottom of it just in case that’s the problem.

I was watering it periodically and waiting until the top layer of soil (around 1 or 2 inches) dried to water it again, like I had read on several websites. However, a bottom leaf rotted, so I cut back on watering. Right now, the leaves have begun to fold lengthwise, and at the tips the aloe seems lumpy (I included a photo of the tip of one of the leaves). I don’t really know what to do.

I had it in a corner of my room (not much sunlight) but recently moved it to my windowsill, should I move it outside so it gets even more sun?

Also, the rock in the planter is propping up the plant since it tilts when I don’t support it.

Thank you so much in advance for the help!

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Comments (4)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
5 years ago
It would certainly be happier to live outside when temperatures are above 40F. Introduce it to full sun slowly and gradually so the leaves do not scorch. A good time to do that is when there is stretch of cloudy rainless weather. After it rains, if you get summer rains, tilt the water out of the center of the plant, or blow out the water with a drinking straw. If your summers are hot and humid, watch it on watering.
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
If you water as soon as top 1-2" are dry, maybe it is too soon - depending how well soil drains. If it contains too much peat, that could be staying too wet for too long. Check deep inside of pot (at least 2/3 deep or even deeper), using a bamboo/wooden skewer, chopstick, dowel with sharpened end or even pencil.

Can't really tell for sure looking at the photo, but that leaf may be waterlogged? Is it too soft? You said bottom leaf rotted - that is why I suspect soil to be water retaining.
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socks
5 years ago
I’m wondering about the cactus mix you used. It looks more like regular garden soil.
mambaitalia
5 years ago
Hello, what kind of soil did you use? Also in the future only repot when they are in the growing season. Aloe's like to be root bound and do not require a large pot. The larger the pot the more the soil retains water and can lead to root rot. I only water my Aloes about one time a month in winter, then every 2 weeks in summer. Aloes retain water very well in their leaves and need a lot less water than people think. I keep mine in a south facing window where it gets direct sun in morning. Sometimes their leaves will do weird things, but that doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong. Just be very careful with watering and only water it when the entire pot of soil is dry. You can never hurt it by under watering, but Aloes are prone to root rot with too much water. It doesn't look bad to me in the pictures, just give it some sun and let it dry put completely.

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