Tips for a beginner grower: aloe propagation by cuttings

Aloe propagates at home is very simple. This is a fairly unpretentious flower and there is a 95% chance that an attempt to propagate it will succeed.

Today we will consider the procedure for cutting this beautiful succulent, namely: when is the best time to do this procedure; soil preparation; Pros and cons of this type of reproduction; step-by-step algorithm for planting apical and stem cuttings. And also we will tell you how to care for a young bush so that it pleases itself and does not disappear.

Advantages and disadvantages

Cuttings are the most common and not complicated method of propagation of many houseplants, including aloe. This method is suitable even for beginner gardeners.

Pros:

• Fast and easy way.
• Material for planting is always at hand.
• 90% chance that the stalk will take root.

Minuses:

• When rooted in water, the stalk can rot.
• If the rules of care are not followed, the plant will not take root (how to plant aloe without roots?).

What time of the year is it better to cuttings?

Aloe cuttings can be carried out year-round, even in winter. But Experienced flower growers recommend propagating the flower in the warm summer period.

Selection and preparation of land for planting

In wild conditions, aloe grows on clay soils and desert sandstones, where it is content with a small amount of moisture. To reproduce this succulent at home, it is best to purchase special soil in a flower shop.

But you can prepare a suitable mixture on your own, taking ordinary garden soil and mixing it with coarse sand or small crumbs of brick.

The composition of the home substrate:

• 2/3 of the soil;
• 1/3 of sand, brick chips or shell rock.

Mix thoroughly and moisten. You can add wood ash or a little peat. At the bottom of the container (pot), it is necessary to lay a drainage of fine gravel, and then pour the finished soil on top.

Preparatory stage

A tree-like evergreen aloe is propagated by stem and apical processes-cuttings. During the period of active growth, we often prune the excess stems of the plant, which can be used for reproduction.

Cut off shoots are first dried on a napkin in a dark place for 2-3 days. Then, cuttings of the cuttings are treated with crushed coal. The material is ready for planting in the ground.

How to cut at home?

Step-by-step planting scheme for apical cuttings:

1. Cut off the top of an adult flower so that 5-7 leaves remain on it.
2. Then plant the top with a slice down in a glass of slightly warm water.
3. The roots should begin to appear on the 7-10th day.
4. Next, the plant needs to be planted in previously prepared soil and actively watered so that the ground is always slightly damp.

A step-by-step scheme for planting the stem cuttings:

1. Cut the stalk with 2-3 leaves as close to the base of the bush as possible.
2. Dip the slice into powdered charcoal.
3. Put the material in a dark cool place and dry for about 5 days.
4. Plant in wet sand to a depth of 1 cm.
5. If there are several cuttings. Then the second and subsequent cuttings need to be planted at a distance of 50 mm from each other.
6. Place the pot with cuttings in a well-lit place, but not in direct sunlight.
7. It is necessary to moisten the sand thoroughly until the shoots give roots.
8. New leaflets on the cuttings will appear in about 20-25 days. This will be a signal that young plants can be transplanted in separate pots to a permanent place of residence.

You will learn how to plant aloe sprouts (children) and properly care for them in this article, and how to properly organize the cultivation and reproduction of this wonderful plant, read here.

Is it possible to plant in open ground?

Cutting in the open ground can be carried out, but only in the warm season.

Step-by-step scheme:

1. Cuttings for planting are better to take lateral from a strong healthy plant.
2. Planting material must be pre-rooted at home (as described above).
3. The place for planting aloe in the garden should be slightly shaded, because direct sunlight will burn the delicate leaves and purple burns will appear on them.
4. To plant cuttings in the ground to a depth of 2-3 cm.
5. Young plants need to be watered as often as possible. But if the summer turned out to be rainy in itself - you do not need to water them additionally, this can lead to rotting of the roots.
6. With the onset of the first cold weather, aloe should be transplanted into a pot and taken home, because this heat-loving succulent can not withstand the cold.

First time care

Caring for young aloe bushes does not require much work. The necessary conditions for proper growth and development remain sufficient lighting, warmth and the presence of fresh air.

• Shine. Aloe can be put on the windows, but without contact with delicate leaves of direct sunlight.
• Air. Succulents loves fresh air, so a room with a flower should be regularly ventilated so that young shoots do not die in stuffiness.
• Watering. Watering young shoots is necessary once every 5 days. As the plants grow and in the winter months, the frequency of watering is reduced to 2-3 times a month.Note! It is only necessary to moisten the soil, being careful not to wet the flower itself, since this can lead to its decay. Excess dust on leaflets can be wiped with a damp sponge or cloth.
• Top dressing. The first 6 months after rooting, young aloes do not need to be fed. Only a sufficiently matured and stronger flower can begin to fertilize every 2 weeks. For this, special complex dressings for cacti and succulents are suitable.

What to do if the plant does not take root?

There may be several reasons why the stalk did not take root:

• Poor planting material. For example, if the stalk was cut from a sick or weakened aloe, the likelihood that he will not take root and die is very high.
• Incorrectly selected soil. In this case, you need to re-compose the substrate or purchase the finished composition in a specialized store.
• Improper care can lead to the death of a young, immature plant. Succulents can not be poured - they will tolerate drought more easily than an excess of moisture. It is better to water the earth after complete drying. And with the onset of cold weather, reduce or completely stop watering for a while.

Conclusion

Propagation of aloe by cuttings is an extremely simple procedure that even a beginner amateur flower grower will cope with. It is only important to observe the rules for the preparation of planting material, preparation of soil substrate, planting patterns and further care for young plants. And a positive result will not take long!

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