Aloe vera, which is one of the plants sought and used in many fields such as medicine, cosmetics and medicinal plants, is in the group of plants that are easy to care for in our homes, offices and gardens. Aloe vera has a fleshy, thick and toothed structure as a leaf structure.
How should aloe vera care be? What is his favorite environment? What should be considered? Let's start with the selection of pots first.
Aloe vera plant is one of the medicinal plants such as cactus and succulent family, whose roots are small compared to its body, but can grow to fill the pot with its stem and leaves if it is well cared for.
1- Pot Selection (It should be low but wide)
Aloe vera plant is one of the medicinal plants such as cactus, succulent family, whose roots are small compared to its body, but can grow to fill the pot with its stem and leaves if it is well cared for. For this reason, we recommend that you choose pots that are not very deep but have a wide structure. There should be holes in the bottom of your pot. The height of the pot can be 15 - 20 cm, width and height can be in the dimensions you want. You can change the pot of your plant after your flower develops and fills its pot.
2- Soil Selection (Soil should be moist and airy)
Aloe vera likes soils that are high in peat and that are airy and moist in structure. You can create the soil structure that your Aloe vera plant loves by placing a 3/1 pumice stone in the soil. Soil change can be done at the beginning of spring as needed.
3- Light Selection (It is a flexible plant in terms of light)
Providing semi-shaded places as living conditions will allow it to continue its development well. It is the type of light that it likes to receive 1-2 hours of indirect sunlight daily. There is no harm in seeing the sun in cold weather, but in very hot summer months, direct sunlight can cause deterioration in the leaf structure. It should not be left outside in freezing climate conditions, as cold weather will cause the gels on the leaves to get cold.
4- Irrigation (Requires less watering)
When you look at the soil of your Aloe vera, which needs less water like cacti in terms of irrigation, if the top layer has completely lost its moisture, it means it's time to water. The easiest way to understand this is to control the moisture of the soil by dipping your pinky finger into the soil 3 cm.
5- Nutrients and Vitamins (Growth time should be given)
Fertilizers for cactus, succulent or leafy greens are suitable nutrients for Aloe vera. Orchid foods can also be among the foods that can be given. We recommend that you use liquid food for your plants grown in pots for ease of use. Since aloe vera grows rapidly from spring to autumn, it is more appropriate to give food during this season. If the development continues in the following seasons, you can reduce the food by half and continue to give it once a month.
6- How to Multiply Aloe Vera (Easy to Reproduce)
Since they have an invasive structure, they constantly give off little offspring from their side. Cut off the newly formed offspring from the side of the mother plant with a clean sterile knife, wait for 1-2 days and wait for the cut part to dry. After drying, you can plant your new pup in the appropriate pot you have prepared. Don't forget to give life water.
7- Diseases (Beware of insects)
No matter how many mealybugs, spider mites and other types of insects will love the sap of your plant, they can come to your Aloe vera. To avoid this situation, try not to get the leaves and stems wet as much as possible. In case of infestation, you can protect your plant with appropriate agricultural or natural pesticides.
