Watering this Aloe...

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by ennnceee, May 14, 2020.

  1. ennnceee

    ennnceee Gardener

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    Hello, I did post about this recently, but without response, so I thought I would try with a photo. I suppose I must be doing something right with this or, presuambly, it wouldn't flower.

    When I was able to lift this I watered from the top, but since it became too heavy I've added water to the tray on a regular basis, but actually have no idea how often that should be. Any ideas?

    I do realise - at least I suppose - that it should be thinned, but it's such a sight and does appear to be very healthy, I think let it be.

    Thanks! Aloe!.jpg
     
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    • Alisa

      Alisa Super Gardener

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      Large mature flowering specimen with loads of babies (teenagers :) ). It must be getting enough light, because it's flowering. Leaves look nice, don't suffer from underwatering or overwatering.
      Now it depends on if you can afford this windowsill for the plant, or you'd like to have smaller version of aloe.
      Yes, they are overcrowded, but happy. Maybe in 1-2 years when lowest leaves dry, it will become less attractive, but for now I would leave as it is.
      Re watering: with aloe it's better underwater than overwater. Substrate to dry between waterings.
       
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      • ennnceee

        ennnceee Gardener

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        Many thanks, all good to know.
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        Looks fine to me just carry on doing what you are doing. :smile:
         
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        • Selleri

          Selleri Koala

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          Totally agree with Pete, it looks great and is obviously thriving so carry on what you are doing :)


          I have similar issue with Aloe Aristata that has filled it's container so well that I can't wedge watering can beak between the rosettes and it's living in a container without drainage holes so I can't water it from bottom. But somehow it still is happy with the very occasional droplets I manage to dribble in and flowers every summer. Great plants!

          IMG-3823.JPG
           
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          • ennnceee

            ennnceee Gardener

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            Yes, I love it. Just keep doing the same, then...
             
          • ennnceee

            ennnceee Gardener

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            Hello, back again!

            I give it a litre of water from the bottom every week or ten days. It still looks quite healthy, except that a few of the - what are they called? Leaves, shoots... - are speckled, striped as can see in the photos. They're not wonderful quality, but show what I mean.

            Any ideas about what may be causing it?

            Thanks!
             

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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            Looks like it might be Aloe vera,the spekles are the normal colouring.

            Go easy on the watering at this time of the year. :smile:
             
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            • JR

              JR Chilled Gardener

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              During the first lockdown in April we walked along the road for our daily excersise.
              A kindly person had left several aloe vera plants outside with 'free' written on a card.
              We picked one up, and i commented to the wife that i didn't know why they'd planted a one inch plantlet in a six inch pot.
              Well now i know because it's now 16" high and fills the pot out as shown.
              Good job the kindly person knew more than me cos I'd have put it in a 3 incher.
               

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              • ennnceee

                ennnceee Gardener

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                Hadn't seen/noticed the speckles before and had it some years. So they're natural?

                Just wait a few years, JR, you'll need feet not inches. Can't lift mine...
                 
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                • ennnceee

                  ennnceee Gardener

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                  And back again! A (very) few of the leaves - if that's the word - on my wonderful Aloe are turning brown and withering a little at the end. Would you know if this is over/underwatering, far too crowded, a n other?
                   
                • ennnceee

                  ennnceee Gardener

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                  Just wondering if I need to start a new thread to get any responses to previous post...
                   
                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  Well to be honest, we cant actually tell if it is over or under watering that is making the leaves wither, it could either.;)
                   
                • Selleri

                  Selleri Koala

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                  If the withering leaves are the oldest ones in the bottom of the stem, that's normal. New growth will appear higher up and the lowermost leaves will slowly die away. They can be pulled off the stem when they are very dead to neaten things up.

                  If you want to renew the plant or pot in a bigger container, now is a great time to do so. Tops of the stems should also root easily if you want to have babies. A bigger container would make the water control easier as it would allow you to poke your finger into the soil to see if it is bone dry or damp. :)
                   
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