How often to water aloe in winter. Proper watering of aloe at home. Plant pests are

Interestingly, in the Russian sector of the Internet, articles are written by people or parrots? You just enter a query in the search engine and you read the same thing on each page of the issue. At the same time, the authors do not even bother to understand the topic.

For example, how to water aloe at home? Absolutely everyone repeats one after another: in winter once a month, in summer - once a week. Drain excess water from the tray. And that's it. Information is over.

What is excess water? Where are they from? Aloe is a resident of arid desert regions. There is never a surplus. Otherwise, why would a plant need such thick juicy leaves?

If you fill the flower to excess, then in the near future it will simply rot in the bud. And how many more nuances when watering aloe at home! Let's figure it out.

What water should be

No doubt, aloe is a rather unpretentious plant. It will grow contrary to all recommendations. But after all, it can develop even better! Let's start with logic. Where does water come from in the arid regions of Africa? That's right, out of thin air. That is dew or rain. There is no tap fluid in sight.

This means that watering aloe at home should be done with water, as in nature. How to get such a liquid? Everything is very simple:

• Pour water into any container and leave for 12 hours. Stir occasionally.
• Then carefully drained from the sediment.
• Pour into clean plastic bottle or thick plastic bag.
• Freeze through.
• Thaw and leave at room temperature.

The resulting water most closely resembles natural rain or dew from the air.

Advice. Water for watering aloe is not boiled. Boiled rain does not pour from the clouds. Yes, and the content of free oxygen in boiled water is very low, and the amount of unnecessary chemical compounds is off scale.

We water aloe according to the time of year

If we already decided to grow a beautiful healthy aloe, then the watering conditions should be as close to natural as possible. However, as well as the conditions of detention.

In the natural environment, the amount of water received by the plant varies depending on the season. Subtropical deserts differ from the usual ones in that there are no severe colds in winter, and short heavy rains periodically occur in spring. From now on, let's start.

Spring. Showers are rare, very strong, but short. Usually for spring period Aloe gains so much water in tissue cells that its own weight increases several times. But then these reserves are enough for almost a year, until the next rainy season.

Therefore, we water the plant directly from above, with a quick sharp movement, directly from the watering can. You can put the pot in a pan or bowl. We pour water for 2-4 seconds, no more. The liquid should be completely absorbed by the root system, and not drain into the pan. Frequency - 1 time in 3-4 days. Splashed like rain and enough. Watering is done after 12 noon, but before 19 hours. It is at this time that bad weather most often rages in nature.

Summer. There is a fierce heat during the day and a weak heat at night. The temperature difference leads to the fact that in the late afternoon there is heavy dew. Here it is, and serves as watering for aloe. There is no rain at all.

So we water accordingly. In the evening, before dark, spray the plant with prepared water. How much to spray? Of course, not before pouring the soil through, it is better not to direct the spray nozzle at the ground at all. Well, dew in nature was seen for sure - that's exactly how we spray it.

The plant should be completely covered with microscopic droplets. We stop when we notice the first drop flowing down the leaf or stem. Frequency - daily throughout the summer.

Be sure to dust the leaves. Otherwise, spraying will make your aloe blotchy and unattractive. Just try not to erase the wax coating. This is a kind of sun protection. Without this plaque, the leaves turn red, which greatly spoils the appearance of the bush.

Autumn. Gradually, the difference between day and night temperatures is reduced. Accordingly, the amount of dew that falls daily decreases. The temperature drops slightly, which means the plant evaporates less moisture.

We continue to spray aloe every day with a spray bottle. Thus, we create artificial dew. No watering, and even more so - immersing the pot in water. You can not reduce the amount of dew, because we do not lower the ambient temperature yet. Moreover, at this time the heating is already turned on, the air in the room is dry. And in the fall, this is not typical in natural conditions.

Winter. Subtropical winter in such deserts resembles the end of September or the beginning of October in the middle zone. The weather is cool but dry and clear. There is no rain at all, dew falls very rarely. We can say - late Indian summer.

In winter, we do not water aloe. At all. Not a drop. Don't worry, our plant got drunk enough in the spring. But this is only when the content is as close to natural as possible. That is, the ambient temperature is from +15 to +19°С. Such conditions are optimal in winter for aloe.

Unfortunately, in an ordinary apartment, the ambient temperature is always above +21°C. This is due to central heating. Such content is not characteristic of the usual winter for aloe. Therefore, the plant has to expend more moisture from thick leaves for the proper functioning of photosynthesis and good breathing.

So you still have to water the aloe several times during the cold season. But, again, not literally water. You need to make at least 5 spring rains in three months. This is about once every 16 days. Just don't rely on your own memory. Better write it down in your diary or put a note on your phone. Then definitely do not miss the required moment.

That's all the subtleties of proper watering aloe at home. And then they will write averaged data for an incomprehensible bush. It is good if the aloe is an adult and can cope with the abundance of water in the summer. Well, as the parrot authors advise.

What if the plant is young? It does not yet have a powerful wide root system that can cope with excess moisture in the soil. Therefore, young roots begin to rot, and the soil turns sour and moldy.

Or another outcome. Let's say that the root system coped with your generosity. What do succulents usually do? They absorb absolutely all available water. And they pump it into stems, leaves. You pour, they pump. And so all summer. It is good if the heat is above + 40 ° C and the aloe has time to evaporate the excess.

And if the summer is normal, smooth? The thermometer does not show above + 28 ° С. All moisture remains in the cells of the plant. You water everything, because it is written on the Internet! The poor aloe almost crackles from the water, the earth in the pot dries, the root system works properly.

Eventually your home beautician just starts to rot. What are you doing? That's right, you transplant the poor fellow into another soil and ... water it!

At the first sign of decay, stop drinking aloe. Perhaps it will recover and survive in spite of your care and killing help.

And further. Don't fertilize with aloe. Never. In nature, it grows on stones and clay, there is no food there. An overabundance of minerals and organics will simply kill the plant.

How to water aloe at home? Now you know all the secrets for sure and your plant will be healthy, lush and beautiful.

Video: planting and growing aloe

In this article, we will look at how to water Aloe at home and find out what are the features for caring for a plant. We will tell you what conditions must be observed after plant transplantation, as well as analyze common mistakes and answer the most common questions.

All types of Aloe grow successfully in soil substrate and hydroponic culture. In the table, we consider the common types of Aloe, their external signs and features of the root system:

Kinds	External characteristics	root system
Aloe Tree	The leaves are large, fleshy, painted in a bluish color with a bluish bloom. The leaves are serrated along the edges, have sharp thorns.	Fibrous and sprawling, cylindrical root system, lies in the middle layers of the soil.
Aloe Aristata	Stem-bearing, narrow, bright green leaves. Along the leaf they have clarified tubercles. Arranged alternately on the stem.
Aloe soap	The leaves are basal, fleshy, painted in a green-bluish color. On the leaves there are small clarified spots in diameter.	Fibrous roots with numerous root hairs. Grows throughout the container.
Aloe Eru	The leaves are elongated, fleshy. The color of the leaves is green-bluish, on the leaves there are small spots of white.
Aloe Variegated	The leaves are bright green, fleshy, pointed shape. The leaves are spirally arranged on the stem. The leaves have a thin white stripe.	Fibrous root system, located in relation to the soil surface is shallow.

Species varieties of Aloe successfully root in expanded clay using nutrient solutions

How to Water Aloe at Home: Easy Ways to Water All Kinds of Aloe

Experienced flower growers recommend watering Aloe from a pallet and using a conventional watering can. The first method is recommended for Aloe, the suction roots of which are located in the lower part of the general root system. Usually the suction roots of the plant are located at the very bottom of the planting tank.

The second watering method is convenient for large Aloe species. Such plants require progressive watering: smoothly going from the root collar to the roots. When watering the plant from above, it is necessary to abundantly saturate the soil substrate with water at a time. This will prevent the stem neck from swimming and soak the bottom layer of the soil substrate well.

In the table, we will consider the methods and principles of watering Aloe, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the two watering methods:

Watering methods	Irrigation principle	Advantages	disadvantages
From a pallet		The soil substrate is not eroded. Nutrients are washed out slowly.	For Aloe with a thick root system, this method of watering is useless. When used, it leads to a disease of the root system. High drainage will not allow moisture to reach the top layer.
With the help of a watering can		With proper watering, all layers of the soil are impregnated, regardless of the level of drainage.	With a lack of water, the lower layers of the soil are not impregnated, which leads to drying of the root system. Not suitable for watering Aloe with fine root hairs.

Tip # 1: If water has collected in the pan when watering Aloe from above after half an hour, then the volume of water was selected correctly. The accumulated water in the pan must be drained, as excess water can harm the roots, namely, cause them to rot.

Aloe with fine root hairs grown in a pot with high drainage is best placed in a container of water for 2-3 minutes. This method will allow you to soak the upper layers of the soil

The principle of watering Aloe depending on the time of year

The overflow of the soil substrate in the autumn and winter period, in which Aloe is grown, in 70% of cases leads to decay of the root system

Tip #2: Aloe should not be watered in damp, wet weather, even if the soil substrate is dry.

In the spring and autumn seasons, Aloe should be watered in the morning once every 5-6 days.

In the table, consider the Aloe watering rate, taking into account age, lighting and air temperature:

Season	young plant	Plant older than 3-4 years	bright room	Room with a temperature above 18 °C
Spring	Frequent and moderate watering	Rare but plentiful watering	Spray required	Moderate watering in the morning
summer
autumn	Rare and moderate watering	Rare and moderate watering	No spray required	Moderate watering throughout the day
winter

The frequency of watering depends on the volume of the Aloe root system. If the roots of the plant fill the entire planting capacity, then such a plant requires frequent watering. The frequency of watering depends on the material from which the pot is made. A plant that is grown in a clay container is watered 2 times more often than Aloe in plastic containers. Clay pots are distinguished by their ability to absorb moisture, which evaporates through the walls of the vessel.

Spraying Aloe in the spring and summer is carried out with a fine spray. Spraying at high room temperature can cause trunk rot

Water quality when watering Aloe

Proper watering is not only in quantity, but also in the quality of water. Water in different seasons should have different temperatures. In the autumn-winter period, the water temperature should be +6°C ... +7 °C. In spring, the water temperature should be +20°C ... +21°C. In summer, the water temperature is +30°C…+35°C.

Water quality: water should have a slightly acidic reaction, it is not recommended to use tap water for irrigation, as such water contains heavy and alkaline impurities, which makes the water hard. You can soften the water if you let the water stand for more than a day. During this period, lime and chlorine evaporate from the water, the water becomes softer. Water can be softened by boiling. In boiled water, salts settle to the bottom.

To reduce the alkaline-calcium reaction in water, acetic acid or citric acid. For 1 liter pure water add 3-5 g.
Watering with heavy water leads to yellowing of Aloe leaves.

Watering when transplanting Aloe

Aloe grows well in the same planting container for 3-4 years. The plant is transplanted in early spring - in April - May. The day before transplantation, the plant is abundantly watered. When transplanting, the plant is removed from the container along with an earthen clod.

Before transplanting, a drainage layer of 5-6 cm is laid out at the bottom of a new container. Expanded clay or small fractions of broken bricks are used as drainage. When transplanting Aloe into a new pot, the drainage layer is sprinkled with a thin layer of soil, the plant is planted and the pot is filled with soil.

After transplanting, Aloe is watered moderately and harvested in partial shade. The transplanted plant is not watered for 3-4 days, since non-rooted plants do not tolerate moist soil well.

Within 2-3 months, the transplanted Aloe is not recommended to be moved to a new place. The main condition for growing such a plant is heat from +20°C…+25°C and air humidity, which must be maintained by spraying.

Tip #3. Aloe before transplantation should not be watered for 10-12 days. Abundant watering is done before planting in order to easily remove the plant from the old pot.

Watering and applying liquid top dressing when growing Aloe

Aloe is fed after transplantation. Top dressing is applied when transplanting into fresh soil. As top dressing, complex mineral fertilizers for succulents (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) are chosen. The next top dressing is carried out the next year in early spring or after 3-4 years when the plant is transplanted again.

Bought Aloe is fed after a month, provided that the plant is well rooted. Feed only healthy plants, because diseased plants do not absorb nutrients. Substances accumulate and can cause a negative effect. It is best to apply mineral fertilizers on cloudy days, this will avoid burns to the root system.

Fertilizers are applied in two ways: from above into moist soil and from below, namely, poured into the pan. It is not recommended to make any top dressing, which includes peat. Consider several types of liquid dressings:

• Bona Forte for cacti. This fertilizer contains a full range of necessary Aloe nutrients. It is used to increase photosynthesis and strengthen immunity. They are introduced into the soil in an amount of 5 ml per 1.5 liters of water.
• Agricola for cacti. Fertilizer differs in the balanced complex of nutrients. Used for incorporation into the ground. Fertilizer consumption - 2 g per 1 liter of water.

Aloe is famous for its unique properties, it grows quite quickly, and therefore the owners of this outwardly unsightly bush often share shoots with those who want to settle such a plant in their apartment. And if experienced flower growers are well aware of what conditions this crop needs, then it may seem quite complicated for a beginner to grow technology and provide proper care for it. For example, it will be useful to learn how to water aloe at home.

The name "aloe" combines a number of plants - about 500 species in total. These are perennials, and herbaceous, shrub crops. Most of them are succulents, but some of them are xerophytes. A succulent is a plant that can go without water for a long period, as it stores moisture inside its tissues. It has thick elastic fleshy leaves, usually has a fairly short trunk or stem. It is thanks to the ability to conserve water that succulents, including representatives of the Aloe genus, live in the wild mainly in arid areas - that is, where it is dry and hot. For example, in Africa, on the Arabian Peninsula and so on.

Note! Aloe is often confused with cacti (mainly due to the presence of spines along the edges of the leaves in some species), but this is a completely different type of succulent plant.

General characteristics of representatives of the genus Aloe:

• fleshy, fairly long xiphoid leaves combined into rosettes;
• small flowers during the flowering period, usually located on a long peduncle; have red, white, yellow color;
• high viability - aloe will live where other representatives of the flora die;
• in difficult conditions of existence, plants are able to close the stomata on the leaves, retaining moisture inside themselves.

Aloe is widely used in cosmetology and medicine. Interestingly, the first mention of medicinal properties plants have been found in springs 3,000 years old. That is, even then it was used for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. For example, the plant is effective against diseases gastrointestinal tract are colitis, gastritis, peptic ulcers. Aloe is also used to treat burns, ulcers and wounds, tuberculosis, asthma, conjunctivitis and other pathologies of the organs of vision. It is used to regulate the menstrual cycle, heal inflammatory diseases and much more. It is possible to list everything that aloe saves from for a very long time.

On a note! Scientists have found that aloe juice and pulp are rich in vitamins (for example, B, C, E), allatonin, beta-carotene and antioxidants.

Aloe - often found in cosmetics component. On its basis, creams, shampoos, hair masks and much more are produced. It restores the structure of the skin and gently moisturizes it. And with the addition of aloe, healthy and nutritious drinks are prepared by mixing its juice with fruit juice.

Attention! You can’t use aloe thoughtlessly - its juice in large quantities, taken orally, can be dangerous, because it can cause inflammation inside the digestive tract, provoke the development of tumors or cause a miscarriage in a pregnant woman.

Aloe seed prices

aloe seeds

Varieties and types

Due to the presence of the above unique properties in this plant, it is not surprising that aloe is often called a home doctor and they try to grow it on their windowsill. Several types of this representative of the flora are the most popular among flower growers.

Table. Common types of indoor aloe.

View, photo	Description
	The same species that immediately pops up in memory at the mention of the word "aloe". Also called real, Indian, Barbaden. This is the most common aloe among all the others and it is he who is most often found in flower growers' collections. Vera has elongated lanceolate fleshy leaves, evenly covered along the edges with small spines-teeth. A short stem formed from densely adjacent bases of leaf blades, which can be about 50 cm long. In the wild, aloe vera grows in the Mediterranean region, and is also found in areas with a critically hot climate.
	This species is also often found in gardeners' collections, its second name is agave. It appeared due to a common myth that supposedly this species blooms only once every 100 years. In fact, in the wild, the agave blooms annually, and in apartments this phenomenon really rarely happens. The plant can reach 3 m in height. The birthplace of the agave is Africa, where it is found almost everywhere, it is not embarrassed by the hot and arid climate. Tree aloe is a shrub with a fibrous root system. It has succulent concave leaves, which are very often used for the preparation of medicinal home preparations, are up to 25 cm long, and also have sharp teeth along the edges. The stem of the plant is well defined.
	This species is also called tiger. Its representatives are low plants (up to 40 cm) with a short stem covered with white-striped leaves. The plant itself is very beautiful.
	A rare, but very beautiful guest in the collections of flower growers. Its main difference from other aloe is the presence of white hairs on the tips of the leaves, which dry out and fall off as it grows. There is no stem, and the leaves are quite prickly to the touch. Often, "children" are formed in the plant, which do not interfere with the growth and development of an adult representative of the species.

All these types of aloe have the above beneficial features for which they are valued by fans traditional medicine and lovers of home floriculture. And each of the plants needs, despite its unpretentiousness, proper care.

Drafts are detrimental to aloe - do not put it where windows can be open in winter.

The main pests that threaten aloe are the scale insect,

In the wild, about 300 species of aloe grow - a succulent known for its decorative and healing properties. Many flower growers want to have this culture on their windowsill. In order for it to grow well, it is important to know about all the stages of care, in particular how to water the aloe.

Frequency and time

Since both experienced and novice growers want to have a healthy plant in the house, it is important for them to know how often to water aloe. The frequency of the procedure, as well as the temperature regime of the water, depends on the season. In summer, the plant needs to be moistened not every week, but once every 2-3 weeks.

Even if the air in the room is very dry, the earth does not need excess liquid. In winter, the procedure is carried out not so often - once a month. If the air humidity is high and there are heavy rains, the plant can do without water for some time. In summer, the procedure is carried out in the evening, and in the cold season it is better to do it in the morning.

To know how many times to moisten a plant, you need to remember its age. Rooting young shoots always moisten more often, while an adult plant less often. More moisture is required for those crops that are in a well-lit room with a very high temperature.

The golden rule when watering this plant says: it is better to underfill water than overfill, and then have problems with the root system.

All types of aloe cultivated at home are succulents, that is, plants that can accumulate water in leaves and stems and store it “in reserve”. It is this property that often becomes a factor that destroys a perennial, because flower growers often mistakenly believe that it needs quite a large number of water. How to water aloe so as not to harm it, because from excess moisture, rotting of the roots and root neck begins?

For watering the succulent, soft water at room temperature without chlorine is used, settled for a day. Particular attention should be paid to the temperature of irrigation water during the winter keeping the plant in a cool room.

Very often, cold water becomes the cause of putrefactive processes in the root system, leading to a serious problem in the state of aloe, and if time is lost, the loss of the plant. The optimum water temperature for moistening a perennial is 1–2 degrees higher than the temperature of the thermometer located in the room where the succulent is grown.

How to properly water aloe

The health of the perennial also depends on the correct watering. The root neck of the plant is extremely vulnerable, which easily rots from excess moisture. Therefore, watering aloe is recommended in the following ways.

• Watering from above - a thin stream of water from a watering can without a sprayer is directed closer to the walls of the flower container.

Attention! With this method of moisturizing, it is necessary to try so that water does not get into the center of the outlet or into the axils of the leaves of tree-like aloe, watering can provoke rot of plant tissues.

• In the pan - water is poured into a vessel in which a pot of aloe is located, and the plant takes as much moisture as it needs. Excess water is drained from the pallet, the constant presence of the bottom of the flower container in dampness is unacceptable.
• Immersion - a pot with a flower is placed in a vessel with water for several minutes. The disadvantage of this method is that the substrate is washed out through the drainage holes, you have to regularly pour it into the flower container.

Spraying aloe is unacceptable, drops of water remaining on the surface of the leaves initiate the appearance of various spots, including fungal ones. Dust on leaf blades is wiped with a damp cloth dipped in warm soft water.

How often to water aloe

The frequency of watering depends on many environmental factors, primarily on temperature and humidity. During the growing season from spring to the end of summer, the plant is watered at least once a week. In particularly hot weather, watering is done twice a week.

In the off-season, the succulent is prepared for the winter state of dormancy and is gradually transferred to watering once a decade. Florists often have a question - how to water aloe in winter? No more than twice a month, however, for each specific plant, it is necessary to consider the irrigation regime individually.

In winter, the heating system works intensively, and the air in the room is usually dry. The soil mixture in the flower container dries up quickly, the aloe leaves become thinner, which means that the plant consumes its moisture reserves. In this case, it is necessary to moisten the succulent, focusing on the state of the earthy coma, and not allow the depletion of aloe to half-wilt.

Watering and simultaneous feeding for aloe at home

Provided the plant is planted in fertile soil, aloe fertilizer is required only a few times during the growing season. They begin to feed the transplanted plant after 2–3 months or more, or after the appearance of young shoots.

Special fertilizers for succulents and cacti are added to irrigation water in the dose indicated by the manufacturer on the package.
It must be remembered that only healthy ones can be fed with aloe. Weakened, sick ones should be cured first. Pest-affected succulents get rid of uninvited guests and give time to recover from the problem.

Before top dressing, the soil is watered to avoid burns from the effects of nutrients on the root system. It is best to water with fertilizers on cloudy days or in the late afternoon. It is important to observe the measure in feeding aloe, excess fertilizer is much more harmful than their lack.

Some flower growers practice feeding succulents folk remedies. For example, watering a plant with warm water sweet water- Dissolve 2 teaspoons of sugar in 1 glass.

as a source mineral fertilizer, use finely crushed eggshells. Before use, it is well washed and dried. Powdered shells are poured into 3 liters of hot water and infused for a week. The resulting infusion is watered with aloe. Many useful trace elements contain water from washing various cereals - rice, buckwheat and others. It is also used for watering aloe at home.

Infusion onion peel well destroys the pathogenic microflora of the soil mixture. 15 g is poured into 6 liters of warm water and infused for 5 days or boiled for 3 minutes. and leave to cool for 2 hours, then water the succulents.

Care problems due to improper watering

Most errors in are associated with a violation of the irrigation regime - a lack of moisture or its excess.

If the foliage softens, then waterlogging is observed, and it is necessary to reduce the frequency of irrigation or the volume of irrigation water. The drying tips of the leaf plates will tell the grower that the aloe needs to be fed, and nutrients must be added to the water for irrigation.

From excess moisture, rotting of the root collar and then the entire root system begins. Most often this happens during the maintenance of the plant in winter at low air temperatures in the room. Root rot can only be cured at the initial stage. The succulent is taken out of the pot, carefully examined, the areas of the root system damaged by rot are removed, treated with any antifungal agent and into a new soil mixture with great content sand.

They are watered rarely and with a small amount of water, but they begin to moisten no earlier than 3 weeks after transplanting. If the root system is completely rotted, the plant remains only using healthy shoots and top.