Aloe is an absolutely amazing plant, which is distinguished by high decorative qualities and healing properties, and is also capable of purifying the air in the room where it grows. In order for a succulent to retain all these qualities, it is necessary to provide it with proper care. Proper and timely watering aloe at home is the key to success in growing this plant.
Principles and methods of irrigation
It would seem that everything is very simple, the plant should be watered when the ground in the pot has dried. Perhaps with other indoor flowers and enough to be guided by these data, but with aloe, everything is somewhat different. In addition to when to carry out the procedure, it is important to know how to carry it out. Therefore, in order for your indoor pet to please with its beauty, as well as to retain its healing qualities, we suggest to understand how to water aloe, growing it at home.
So, watering can be done in two ways: pour water from the watering can from above until it starts to fill the pallet or, on the contrary, immediately fill the pallet. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Filling the pan, we eliminate the leaching of nutrients from the substrate. This type of water treatment is suitable for those plants whose root system is folded in such a way that the roots that are responsible for the absorption of water are just below, most often these are smaller representatives. Drainage is of great importance in this case, its too thick layer will not let the liquid to the roots. For large species of aloe is more suitable for watering from the top of the watering can, it allows you to gradually saturate the entire substrate and saturate the root system with water.
Important! It is necessary to immediately pour a flower abundantly in order to wet the whole soil well, and the moisture reaches the root system, then drain excess liquid from the pan.
Types and their characteristics
There are more than 300 varieties of aloe, and only a few of them are grown at home. How to water aloe, depends largely on the type of root system inherent in one or another form, let's look at the most popular ones.
- Aloe motley - ornamental plant with sharp, fleshy leaves of bright green color. The species is characterized by the presence of a white strip on the leaf plate. Its roots are fibrous, shallow.
- Aloe vera - one of the largest species. The foliage is large and fleshy, attractive bluish in color with a whitish bloom. Along the edge of the leaf plate are sharp spikes. The root system is fibrous, has a cylindrical shape, is located in the center of the pot.
- Aloe Eru - the foliage of this succulent has an elongated shape and is colored green with a blue tint. The leaves are covered with small white spots. The root system of this plant is very powerful, numerous root hairs fill the entire pot.
Watering plants
In order to figure out how often to water aloe, you must take into account the age of the plant, its general condition, as well as the time of year.
Depending on the season
In spring and summer, succulents are watered, as a rule, once every 6-7 days at a time when the ground is dry enough. After the water treatment, it is necessary to pour out the remaining liquid from the pan. If the plant is young, it requires frequent moderate watering, and if the flower is more than 5 years old, it should be watered rarely and plentifully. In the spring and summer to humidify the air in the room it will not be superfluous to spray indoor pets.
Important! In spring and summer it is recommended to carry out water procedures before lunch, and in winter at any time during the day.
In autumn and winter, the plant requires much less moisture. As soon as the substrate becomes completely dry, it becomes necessary to water the aloe vera. The number of water treatments during this period is reduced regardless of the age of the succulent.
How to water the seeds
Aloe is rarely propagated by seed, as this method is considered quite laborious. Seedlings important to provide frequent moderate watering. We can not allow the land in pots with young plants to dry. It is difficult to say how many times water aloe, as it depends on the temperature of the air in a particular room. The main thing is that the soil in the container with the seedlings is always slightly moist.
Learn more about growing: geraniums, laurel, ficus, kalanchoe, cactus, adenium, agave, lithops.
Reproduction: watering processes
Most often, aloe is propagated by cuttings. The procedure can be carried out all year round, but spring is still considered a more acceptable time. In order to cut the cuttings quickly took roots, they are placed in a container of sand, deepening by 2 cm. For 5-7 days, the cuttings are watered abundantly to speed up the process. After 7-10 days, the sprouted shoots are seated in separate containers and watered once a week. Often for reproduction using the tops or basal shoots, they are carefully cut off and left for a few hours so that they slightly extinguish. Then they are planted in pre-prepared containers with a soil substrate at a depth of 1-2 cm. Before the appearance of the first roots, hydration consists in regular spraying, and when the plant takes root, it is watered as usual.
Did you know? The healing properties of this plant are not immediately apparent. Healing aloe becomes only 5 years after planting.
Watering when transplanting
Experts recommend transplanting succulent no more than once every 3 years, it is preferable to do this at the beginning of spring. On the eve of the procedure, the plant should be generously watered. Aloe together with the earthy lump is transferred to a new pot, on the bottom of which a drainage is laid out, and left for 3-4 days in a warm, well-lit place without watering. At a time when the root system adapts in a new place, excessive moisture can only harm. After the plant has moved away from stress, watering aloe should be moderate. It is advisable not to change the location of the transplanted flower for 2-3 months.
Water quality when watering
The quality of water, oddly enough, may be more important than its quantity. In no case can not use water from the tap. Before proceeding to watering, the water must be defended for 24 hours, so that chlorine and lime evaporate from it, or boil. Attention should be paid to the temperature of the water, depending on the season. In spring, it should be + 20 ... +22 degrees, in summer - + 30 ... +35, and in winter - + 5 ... +7 degrees.
Important! In order to normalize the acidity of water, you can add 3-5 g of vinegar or ascorbic acid per 1 liter of liquid.
Watering and applying liquid fertilizer when growing
A prerequisite for quality plant care is the timely application of fertilizers. Before feeding aloe at home, it is recommended to water it abundantly, this is due to the fact that the application of fertilizer to dry soil can cause a plant burn. Fertilize succulent once a year in spring, as well as during transplantation. Liquid dressing is applied directly to the soil or poured into the pan, carefully avoiding contact with the stem and foliage. The advantage should be given to complex mineral fertilizers intended for succulents. Dilute them strictly according to the instructions for use. Incorrect proportions in the preparation of the solution can harm the flower and even provoke various diseases.
Did you know? Aloe is widely used in traditional and classical medicine, used in cosmetology, as well as used in food. For example, in Japan, various drinks and yogurts with pieces of this plant are considered absolutely familiar.
Serious mistakes of gardeners when watering
When growing aloe, beginners and even experienced gardeners often misuse water procedures. The most common errors in irrigation include the following, namely, what you can not do:
- Leave water in the pan after watering.
- Use pots that do not have drainage holes.
- Water too cold with water.
- Continue to water the plant abundantly in winter and autumn.
- Use bad water.
