Aloe: reproduction at home, especially care and cultivation

One of the most popular indoor plants - aloe - refers to the family of lily, succulent group. Its main distinctive feature is long, covered with soft thorns fleshy leaves. Aloe is cultivated by lovers of indoor flowers not only as decorative, but also as a medicinal plant.

general description

The homeland of aloe is Africa. On this continent, there are more than 250 species of this plant. At home, aloe tree is most often grown . In another way this variety is called a century. Very often in the apartments of lovers of indoor flowers you can see also a spinous, spotted or folded aloe. Reproduction of all these varieties - the procedure is usually uncomplicated. The methods of obtaining new plants from the mother are similar.

Basic methods of reproduction

Get new plants from the bush of aloe, as well as from any other succulent, is very simple. This plant can reproduce:

• Tops;

• Cuttings;

• Leaves;

• Children;

• Seeds.

Most often, aloe is propagated by children. In this case, young plants should be simply excavated and transferred to a new pot. The rest of the techniques have some of their nuances.

Aloe: reproduction by tops, cuttings and leaves

Take planting material from the mother plant should be as neat as possible. The tops are cut with a sharp knife so that approximately 5-6 leaves remain on them. Cuttings are separated from the stem itself. The sheet is cut at the base of the shoot. Breeding propagation material is usually taken in February or March. The site of the cut on the mother plant is treated with charcoal. The tops, cuttings or leaves are dried for 5-6 days.

Further, the planting material is slightly buried (about 3 cm) into wet sand. After the appearance of roots, new plants are transferred to containers filled with earth. In the pots, drainage is pre-poured. As the soil mixture is usually used the same composition in which the parent aloe grows. If there is no such soil at hand, it is possible to purchase a mixture intended for the cultivation of cacti in a specialized shop. In any case, the soil should be slightly acidic. Of course, planted young plants need to be watered. Reproduction of aloe leaf, top or cuttings allows you to quickly and without much trouble get a few new copies.

Use of seeds

This technique is considered quite sophisticated and amateur florists rarely used. But in this way it is possible to obtain simultaneously a very large number of new young aloe. Reproduction by seeds will be successful only if a special soil mixture is used, consisting of:

• 1 part of the leafy earth;

• 2 parts washed and steamed river sand.

Such a soil is poured into a bowl with holes in the bottom. Then the seeds are laid out on top of it. Then they are lightly sprinkled with sand. Humidify the soil by lowering the pots in a tray of water for several minutes. After the soil mixture has collected moisture, the containers are placed in a greenhouse.

Aloe seedlings grow, the reproduction of which by this method - the procedure is not really too simple, about 5-6 days after planting. Sprinkle young sowing plants followed by a small spray. Seedlings are seeded by individual tanks after they have 1-2 real leaves on them.

Where to place?

No matter how the propagation of aloe - the tip, cuttings, leaves or seeds - was made, new places should be chosen correctly. To install pots with a century-old is best on the windowsill of the southern window. Unlike many other indoor plants, large doses of ultraviolet this succulent is almost not afraid. In the dark room, the aloe will stretch, and its leaves will turn pale. In winter, this plant is best transferred to a bright, but cool room (with air temperature of 12-13 g.).

How to feed

Of course, aloe, reproduction at home which can be performed in many ways, will please the owners with an attractive appearance and good development only with proper care. Fertilize the ground under this plant usually twice a month. Too often, Aloe should not be fed, otherwise it can get sick. As a fertilizer, the compounds intended for cacti are most often used.

How to water properly

Too often moisten the soil in the pot with aloe also does not follow. This plant does not like overflows. In addition, it does not tolerate stagnant water in the pan. If humidity is too high, aloe roots can easily rot. The best way to water this succulent is to dip the pot for a few minutes into the water. In summer, aloe is usually watered once a week, in winter - once a month.

Diseases and pests

Aloe is often used as a medicinal plant. However, sometimes it happens that he himself needs help from the owners. More often than not, a century-old amazes a pest such as a scab. This insect pierces with its sharp proboscis leaves of aloe and drinks juice. To rid the plant of the scab, its leaves and stem should be wiped with a not too strong solution of vinegar.

It also happens that a spider mite is planted on aloe. To combat this pest use either a weak solution of alcohol, or garlic tincture. For the prevention of infection by the mite, the aloe is periodically sprayed with the infusion of tobacco.

A fairly common disease of this plant is the root rot. It develops with overflow. If a problem occurs, the plant age first slows growth, and then begins to dry out.

There are aloe and other diseases common among houseplants. But in general, this succulent to all kinds of infections and infection by insects is quite stable. With the proper care of problems to their owners, aloe is most likely not delivered. In addition, if necessary, new plants can be obtained even from the already dying parent. Reproduction of aloe with cuttings, leaves, babies, etc. - the procedure is extremely simple.