History of Aloe. The homeland of the aloe indoor flower and its common types: faith and tree
tree aloe
folded aloe
scary aloe
spinous aloeAloe aristata
Aloe variegated Aloe variegata is a low plant, up to 30 cm high. The underside of the leaf is boat-shaped, dark green with transverse wide and light stripes-spots. A light thin strip stretches along the edges of the sheet.
Aloe Descoignes Aloe multifolia pearl aloe Aloe chess
Place of aloe in the room
Temperature
Lighting
Transfer
Pot preparation
A new clay pot must be kept in water for some time so that the clay absorbs water, otherwise the pot, after transplanting the plant into it, will “take away” most moisture, which can very adversely affect the growth and further development of aloe.
Special soil for aloe
Superphosphate must be added to the water, it will neutralize the lime on its walls.
Soil preparation for aloe
- soddy soil - 3 parts
- humus soil - 2 hours
- leafy soil - 1 hour
- clay soil - 1 hour
- river sand- 1 hour
Aloe reproduction
watering aloe
top dressing
- 5 g superphosphate
- 4 g ammonium nitrate
- 1 g potassium salt
Aloe vera: medicinal properties and contraindications
Health
In many apartments you can now find these ornamental plants. But not everyone knows that aloe vera plants are not only beautiful, but also useful.
Aloe has been used for healing since ancient times. various diseases. However, there are many nuances in phytotherapy. Therefore, it is worthwhile to figure out what diseases the plant treats, how to use it, what properties and contraindications it has. It should be remembered that aloe also contains toxic and harmful compounds, so use healing properties plants can only be complete information about him.
Description
Aloe is a genus of flowering plants in the Xanthorrheaceae family, with about 500 species. Most representatives of the genus are succulents that grow in arid regions of the tropical belt and have mechanisms for conserving water. At the same time, plants are distinguished by their love of light and heat. Aloe is very diverse in size. It can be trees 10 m high, and small plants. A characteristic sign of representatives of the genus is thick xiphoid leaves extending in all directions from the trunk, usually covered with a whitish coating and equipped with spikes along the edges. In nature, the leaves of the plant just serve to accumulate moisture. For medicinal purposes, it is also mainly the leaves that are used, sometimes parts of the stem.
What is the difference between aloe and aloe vera and what is the difference between agave and aloe?
In medicine, no more than a dozen species of the genus Aloe are used. Of these, two are best known for their medicinal properties - this is aloe vera or real aloe and tree-like aloe or agave. Thus, aloe is the name of a plant genus, and agave and aloe vera are called certain types. Although in everyday life both of these plants are often referred to simply as aloe, which can cause confusion, since it is not clear which plant is being referred to.
The medicinal properties of both species are similar, but have some differences. Aloe arborescens is said to be more beneficial for treating skin conditions, wounds, and cuts, while aloe vera's healing properties are more pronounced when used internally.
Aloe vera
The plant is native to Northeast Africa. It is a little over half a meter in height and has fleshy, slightly bluish leaves growing from the bottom of the stem.
Now aloe grows wild in various regions - in the Canary Islands, in North Africa. Also, the plant can be found on the Arabian Peninsula. Even the very word "aloe" - Arabic origin. It means "bitter" because the leaves of the plant contain bitter-tasting substances.
The plant can also be grown at home. It takes root well in the apartment, but rarely blooms.
Agave
It grows mainly in South Africa - Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The extract of the plant was used by the ancient Egyptians to embalm mummies. The plant looks like a small tree or shrub 2-5 m tall.
Aloe (agave): description and methods of cultivation
Fleshy leaves grow at the top of the trunk. The inflorescence has the form of a long brush with bright orange flowers.
It can also be used as a house plant. However, home grown specimens are significantly smaller than their wild counterparts.
The chemical composition of the leaves
Aloe is a unique plant. By the number of active biological substances contained in it (approximately 250), it has no equal among the representatives of the flora.
Photo: Nevada31/Shutterstock.com
The main component of the leaves of the plant is water (97%).
Also in the leaves you can find:
Esters
Essential oils
Simple organic acids (malic, citric, cinnamic, succinic and others)
Phytoncides
Flavonoids
Tannins
resins
Vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, C, E)
beta carotene
Amino acids (including glycine, glutamic and aspartic acids, essential amino acids)
Polysaccharides (glucomannans and acemannan)
Monosaccharides (glucose and fructose)
Anthraglycosides
Anthraquinone
Allantoin
Trace elements - selenium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, copper and others
Alkaloids, including aloins
Application
Aloe are known primarily as ornamental plants that have unusual view. Meanwhile, the healing properties of aloe became known several millennia ago. Various parts of the plant were successfully used by Egyptian priests and ancient doctors. modern science confirms its healing properties. They are explained by a unique complex of vitamins, microelements, amino acids and other compounds that have a beneficial effect on various systems of the human body.
But even when grown as a houseplant, aloe can bring healing benefits, as it freshens the air and enriches it with phytoncides. In addition to medicine, the plant extract is widely used in cosmetics and perfumery. Juice and pulp are used for cooking.
Medical use
As a rule, juice obtained from the fleshy leaves or the outer parts of the stem (sapwood) is used in medicine. Both fresh juice and evaporated (sabur) can be used. Juice is obtained by collecting it from freshly cut leaves. It is also possible to obtain juice using a press. Aloe flower, despite its beauty, has no medical use.
Photo: Trum Ronnarong/Shutterstock.com
Fresh juice and sabur are the most useful species drugs. Their high effect is due to the complex effect on the body. various connections. Individual components of the plant that can be found in various pharmaceutical preparations and cosmetics due to the use of preservatives do not have such a high effect.
In addition, aloe oil is widely used in medicine and cosmetics. It is also prepared from the leaves. In traditional and traditional medicine such dosage forms as syrup, gel, ointment and liquid extract. In some cases, the extract can be administered intramuscularly by injection.
What does aloe treat?
Plant components have a positive effect on the following systems and organs of the human body:
the cardiovascular system
gastrointestinal tract
leather
the immune system
nervous system
eyes
Also plant components:
Have antifungal and antiviral activity
Removes toxins and waste from the body
Increase the overall tone of the body
Restore intestinal microflora
Lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels
Accelerate hair growth and prevent hair loss
Improve blood circulation
Help with allergic diseases
Relieve muscle, joint and toothaches
Used in dentistry for the treatment of stomatitis, gingivitis and plaque
They are used as a prophylactic against oncological diseases and as an auxiliary in their therapy.
Possess antioxidant, diuretic and laxative properties
Used to treat respiratory diseases (tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia)
They are used in gynecology in the treatment of diseases such as candidiasis, vaginosis, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, genital herpes
Aloe juice has a powerful bactericidal effect. It is active against:
staphylococci
streptococci
dysenteric bacillus
typhoid bacillus
diphtheria bacillus
Miscellaneous connections pulp is responsible for improving the activity of various body systems. So, for example, the anti-inflammatory effect of the plant is explained by the presence of salicylic acid in it, the laxative - anthraquinone and aloins, the choleretic effect - zinc and selenium, etc.
Photo: pinkomelet/Shutterstock.com
Application in gastroenterology
Sabur improves intestinal motility. It can be used as a laxative and choleretic agent, as well as a means to improve digestion. In addition, preparations derived from the plant are used for:
gastritis
Enterocolitis
gastroenteritis
ulcerative colitis
Ulcer of the stomach and duodenum
Application in dermatology
The plant is most beneficial in the treatment of skin diseases. Oil is best for skin application. The oil has bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and wound-healing properties and is used to treat various dermatitis, rashes, psoriasis, urticaria, eczema, acne, bedsores, burns, wounds.
Application in ophthalmology
Aloe juice can be used to treat various ophthalmic diseases - conjunctivitis, inflammation of the mucous membrane, progressive myopia and even cataracts. The healing properties of aloe for the eyes are explained by the presence in the plant of an extensive complex of vitamins, primarily vitamin A. The components contained in the juice improve the blood supply to the retina and tissues surrounding the eyes.
Photo: Ruslan Guzov / Shutterstock.com
Application for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases
The beneficial effect of plant components on the cardiovascular system is primarily due to enzymes that reduce the amount of bad cholesterol and sugar in the blood and prevent the formation of blood clots. Studies have shown that daily intake of juice of 10-20 ml can reduce general level cholesterol by 15% within a few months. Studies also show that the gel of the plant can reduce the risk of coronary disease.
Contraindications
Internal intake of drugs from the plant is contraindicated in:
Exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases
Individual intolerance
Severe hypertension and severe pathologies of the cardiovascular system
Bleeding - hemorrhoidal, uterine, menstruation
Hepatitis A
Cholecystitis
jade
cystitis
hemorrhoids
Under 3 years old
Pregnancy
Ointments and oils used for wound healing and in dermatology have fewer contraindications. In particular, they can be used by pregnant women. For the treatment of children, ointments can be used from the age of one year.
Treatment of children under 12 years of age with internal means is recommended only after consultation with a pediatrician. With caution prescribe drugs from aloe to the elderly. During lactation, the use of internal drugs is also not recommended.
Side effects
Most of the compounds contained in the plant have an effect on human body positive impact. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
When using the extract, it should be remembered that the skin of the leaves contains bitter substances. But bitterness in itself is far from their main drawback. Modern research suggests that the bittering alkaloid aloin has carcinogenic properties. Although aloin in small concentrations and occasional use is most likely not dangerous (moreover, it is used in aloe-based laxative preparations, and is also used as a food supplement), but still, when preparing juice from leaves, it is recommended to carefully clean them from skins.
The plant also contains special enzymes - antaglycosides. In overdose, they can lead to bleeding and miscarriages in pregnant women.
With the internal intake of juice, violations of the digestive tract are possible - dyspepsia, heartburn, diarrhea, abdominal pain. Occasionally, there may be blood in the urine, heart rhythm disturbances, muscle weakness. It is not recommended to take plant preparations immediately before bedtime, as this can cause insomnia.
Photo: pixabay.com
Application at home
Of course, for treatment, you can buy various preparations at the pharmacy that contain plant components. However, it is most effective to use fresh aloe juice. It can be prepared from plants grown at home on your own.
cultivation
The plant does not require much care. Since it is adapted to an arid climate, it can do without frequent watering. It is enough to do this 1-2 times a week, in winter - once a month. However, it is worth considering that the plant loves heat and the sun, so a well-heated and well-lit place is better for it. In winter, the plant must be protected from cold and drafts. The easiest way to propagate a plant is with the help of apical shoots, cuttings and shoots that grow at the base of the shoots.
Most suitable for cutting big leaves with a dried top, located at the bottom of the stem. Do not be afraid to remove them, as the plant is able to quickly grow new ones. Before the leaf removal procedure, it is best not to water the plant for a couple of weeks, as this helps to concentrate. useful substances.
Leaves must be cut, plucked or broken off at the very base. You can either squeeze the juice with your hands, or chop the leaves and pass them through a meat grinder or blender. For the preparation of some compositions, this method is preferable. Before crushing the leaves, it is necessary to remove the skin from them.
It should be remembered that only fresh leaves have the greatest benefit, therefore, leaves should be removed only before the direct preparation of the medicine. After a few hours, many active compounds begin to decompose. The juice or gruel from the leaves also cannot be stored for a long time, even in the refrigerator. Of course, they will not deteriorate, but at the same time they will lose many of their useful properties.
Aloe vera medicine at home
Below are some juice or pulp recipes that you can make at home. Very often, honey is added to the juice, which enhances the effect of aloe. However, when using honey, it should be borne in mind that it is a strong allergen, even more powerful than aloe itself. The dosage should be strictly observed, since aloe products can cause some side effects. It should be remembered that these recipes do not replace treatment, but can only supplement it. Before using them, you should consult with your doctor.
To improve digestion, as well as to strengthen the body after serious illnesses, it is recommended to mix:
150 g juice
250 g honey
350 g strong red wine
This mixture should be infused for 5 days. Take one tablespoon three times a day before meals.
Another recipe is suitable for children to strengthen the body:
Half glass of juice
500 g crushed walnut
300 g honey
juice of 3-4 lemons
It should be taken 3 times a day before meals for a teaspoon.
During the course of treatment for tuberculosis, the following mixture will do:
15 g juice
100 g butter
100 g cocoa powder
100 g honey
The mixture should be taken 3 times a day for a tablespoon.
In the treatment of ulcerative colitis, it is recommended to take juice of 25-50 ml twice a day. For gastritis, the juice is taken in a teaspoon half an hour before meals for 1-2 months. For constipation and colitis, it is also recommended to take juice in a teaspoon before meals.
For stomach and duodenal ulcers, you can prepare the composition by taking 0.5 cups of crushed leaves and ¾ cups of honey. It is necessary to insist the mixture for 3 days in a dark place. Then add a glass of Cahors, leave for another day and strain. The composition is taken in a tablespoon 3 times a day before meals.
Pure juice can be used to treat respiratory diseases. With a runny nose, it is recommended to instill 3 drops every day in each nostril. The course of treatment is a week. For sore throats, gargling with plant juice diluted in equal proportions with water will help. With stomatitis, you can also use freshly squeezed juice for rinsing.
For the treatment of neurosis, mix aloe leaves, carrots and spinach and squeeze the juice out of them. Take two tablespoons of juice three times a day.
In the treatment of conjunctivitis and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes, the gruel from the leaves should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5. Do not use undiluted juice! Infuse the mixture for an hour, boil for an hour and strain. The resulting liquid must be used for lotions and rubbing.
3 art. l. juice
6 art. l. honey
9 st. l. vodka
The components are mixed and the resulting substance is moistened with gauze, which is applied to the affected area.
More news
Aloe
The genus Aloe combines perennial leafy herbaceous, shrubby or tree-like succulents with thick fleshy xiphoid leaves, collected in dense rosettes and arranged in a spiral. The edges of the leaves can be smooth or serrated, seated along the edge with sharp spikes or soft cilia. The flesh of the leaf is divided into characteristic cells that retain moisture reserves during a drought. The flowers are small, tubular, white, red, yellow or orange, located on a long peduncle in an apical multi-flowered raceme. Asphodelaceae family. The genus includes about 340 species distributed in tropical regions of Africa, about. Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula
The most common types
tree aloe Aloe arborescens is the most widespread medicinal plant in our country. Homeland - Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. In room conditions in a temperate climate, this plant blooms extremely rarely, and it is with this feature that it is associated. vernacular name- agave, as if blooming once in a hundred years, but with good care it can bloom every year. Aloe arborescens in a pot gives numerous side shoots and grows well in height and width. The leaves are narrow, juicy, up to 20-30 cm long, with thorns along the edges. It grows very quickly reaching a height of up to 30-100 cm (in nature up to 3 m) Scarlet tree is very decorative and easily propagated by cuttings.
folded aloe Aloe plicatilis is a small tree with a short, branching trunk. 10-16 bluish-green leaves sit on branches in two rows.
scary aloe Alou ferox - has thick fleshy leaves, with reddish-brown small spines all over the surface, which make it warty. It grows up to 45 cm. When flowering, it forms a branched spike-shaped inflorescence with red flowers.
spinous aloeAloe aristata- it is often confused with haworthia - numerous thick leaves that have on bottom surface whitish-transparent soft spikes. The leaves are arranged in the form of a basal rosette - 8-10 cm in diameter. A white serrated border runs along the edge of the sheet. Easily blooms in spring and summer indoors.
Aloe variegated Aloe variegata is a low plant, up to 30 cm high.
How to plant aloe at home
The underside of the leaf is boat-shaped, dark green with transverse wide and light stripes-spots. A light thin strip stretches along the edges of the sheet.
Beautiful and suitable for breeding in rooms Aloe Descoignes- with triangular variegated leaves; Aloe multifolia- with an almost round rosette of pointed triangular leaves of a greenish-gray color; pearl aloe- with green leaves arranged in a rosette and covered on both sides with rare pearl-shaped white warts; Aloe chess, which has spirally arranged olive-green leaves, covered on the upper side with a checkerboard white painting.
Aloe tree, or agave, unfortunately, often suffers in our apartments. Rather, it is grown for medicinal purposes, regularly plucked, and cares little about the conditions of detention. But if you grow this plant correctly and do not cut off its leaves, you can get very beautiful specimens.
Most often, aloe suffer from excess moisture, if watering is too frequent, the roots rot, the plant dies.
Just as often, aloe suffer from a lack of sunlight, especially in winter. At the same time, their stems are elongated, the leaves are smaller and less often sit on the trunk.
Does not benefit this plant and planting in heavy clay soil. Moisture does not evaporate well in it, and there is no aeration.
Place of aloe in the room
Aloe can stand on the windowsills facing the north side, and on the windows located on the south side. But the most optimal would be the placement of aloe in bright room so that the rays of the sun fall on it. Aloe is very sensitive to the light source, so you should not move it without a special reason. From time to time you need to turn it to the sun in different directions.
Aloe is sensitive to drafts, so you can not place it so that air currents pass through it.
From the beginning of summer to late autumn, it is best if the plant is on the balcony or in the garden. So it can better prepare for the winter. In winter, aloe should also be in a well-lit room, but the air temperature in it should be low, within moderate.
Temperature
Lighting
In summer, he likes a sunny place, but the sun should be accustomed to gradually, shading on especially hot days.
Transfer
Transplantation is carried out in the spring. Young plants are transplanted annually, old ones every 2-3 years.
Pot preparation
The best pot for growing aloe is clay. Plastic pots common in recent times do not meet the conditions in which the plant should be. Plastic does not let air through, and this quality is essential condition life of the aloe root system. Aloe must be transplanted into a plastic clay pot. The transplant period is the beginning of spring, after a period of winter dormancy.
The day before the transplant, the plant is watered abundantly, so that later it will be easier to remove the root system. It is better to perform the operation on a non-hot cloudy day. In no case should the plant be transplanted in hot weather. Or do it in the evening.
A new clay pot must be kept in water for some time so that the clay absorbs water, otherwise the pot, after transplanting the plant into it, will “take away” most of the moisture, which can very adversely affect the growth and further development of aloe. Superphosphate must be added to the water, it will neutralize the lime on its walls.
An old clay pot must be treated before use in case there are microspores of harmful bacteria on it. To do this, it is lowered into a 2% solution blue vitriol. You can also ignite the pot in a stove or oven.
Soil preparation for aloe
The growth of the plant, its appearance depends on the quality of the soil, a well-groomed plant will have greater healing properties than a sick and frail one. The soil should consist of several parts of different types: soddy, leafy, humus and others. Aloe is a desert dweller, therefore prerequisite The soil for it is pure river sand as well as clay.
- soddy soil - 3 parts
- humus soil - 2 hours
- leafy soil - 1 hour
- clay soil - 1 hour
- river sand - 1 hour
The mixture is thoroughly stirred. Can add charcoal- It has antibacterial properties.
For drainage, clay shards are used and one of them is convex. It is possible to use medium-sized pebbles. The material is laid on the bottom of the clay pot directly above the hole in the center with the convex side up. A few more shards are placed on top and half filled with the prepared soil mixture.
Carefully dig out the aloe, trying not to damage the roots, transplant it into a prepared pot with soil and sprinkle the rest on top.
When a transplant is carried out solely due to replacing the pot with a more suitable one, it is not necessary to shake off the soil from the roots, it is enough to carry out a “transshipment” - that is, a transplant with partial preservation of the old soil.
In the case when the transplant is carried out in order to improve the conditions of the diseased plant, the remnants of the old soil are removed from the roots, the diseased roots are cut off, and the sections are powdered with crushed wood ash.
The juice of aloe itself increases the germination of seeds, the growth of cuttings. Therefore, you can add a few drops of juice prepared from large fleshy leaves to the water for irrigation.
Aloe reproduction
For reproduction, an old aloe plant is taken, which over time, having reached a certain growth, begins to lose the lower leaves, as a result of which its trunk turns out to be completely bare for a long distance from the base, and only at the top, on the crown, there are young leaves.
Such a plant should be cut as high as possible to the top and the shoot should be placed in water, preferably with an admixture of complex fertilizers. You need to put the process in a place with intense lighting. After some time, the shoot will give roots, and it can be transplanted.
watering aloe
Watering depends on the season. But in any case, aloe does not need to be watered too often, as it is able to accumulate moisture and hardly evaporate it.
Too much moisture can kill aloe. At the same time, the leaves of the plant begin to turn yellow, then fall off, rot root system, and if you do not transplant in time, nothing will save him. In this case, it is necessary to cut off the cutting as close to the top as possible and, putting it in water, wait until it takes independent roots.
In summer, aloe should be watered once every few days, preferably in the evening. As soon as the soil begins to dry out, it means that it's time for another moistening.
Another way to tell if a plant needs watering is to knock on the pot. If the earth is dry, the sound will be sonorous, but if there is enough moisture, it will be deaf.
With abundant watering, if the water, having passed through the entire pot, pours out of the pan, it is necessary to remove it.
In autumn, the watering regime remains almost the same, but intervals should be increased from time to time. In winter, the plant is in dormant mode, and therefore it needs to be watered no more than once every 10 days, but it can be done much less frequently. In the spring, when the dormant forces in the plant awaken to life, the watering regimen should be increased.
The water temperature has importance. It should be within room temperature or slightly warmer. You can not take water directly from the tap for this purpose. It contains a lot of chlorine and harmful impurities, therefore, in order for the chlorine to evaporate, it should be left in the vessel for at least a day.
The best water for irrigation is snow (not in Moscow!!!), rain and spring water. rain water it is better to collect in metal containers, avoiding those drops of water that pour from roofs, drainpipes, etc. Snow water can be obtained by collecting pure snow and then melting it at room temperature.
If it is not possible to collect rain or snow water, you can take a vessel with previously settled tap water and put it in the refrigerator. When an ice crust forms on top, it must be removed - it contains harmful impurities. And the remaining water, brought to the desired temperature, can be successfully used for irrigation.
top dressing
Aloe needs timely feeding with artificial and natural fertilizers. Better to use ready-made fertilizers sold in specialized stores. You can also prepare a mixture of fertilizers yourself:
- 5 g superphosphate
- 4 g ammonium nitrate
- 1 g potassium salt
Fertilizers are dissolved in 10 liters of water. All fertilizers are first diluted in water room temperature with careful proportions. You should not make a concentrated solution, thinking that this will allow you to better feed the plant - this will only harm it.
It is best to fertilize 2 times a month, and from autumn to mid-spring, fertilizers must be abandoned - the plant has a dormant period.
When watering a plant with water in which fertilizers are dissolved, it is necessary that the soil be moistened along the edges of the pot, away from the trunk and even more so from the leaves. Accidental contact of fertilizer with plant tissue can cause burns. The best time for fertilization - day or evening.
You can use crushed wood ash, chicken or pigeon droppings as a fertilizer. Manure fertilizer is prepared as follows: 1 tablespoon of manure is dissolved in 1 liter of water. Then the vessel with this mixture is closed, put in a warm place and left to ferment. After 10 days or 2 weeks, the fertilizer is ready. Before feeding the plant, this mixture must be diluted again with water in a ratio of 1: 1.
You can also use dried litter. It is introduced into the soil of the pot to a depth of about 1 cm at the rate of 1 teaspoon per medium-sized pot. This feeding is enough for two to three weeks.
A good fertilizer is the water in which raw meat was washed. This is good source nitrogen for the plant.
You can sometimes water the plant with water in which potassium permanganate is dissolved. The color of the water in this case should be light pink.
To make aloe feel comfortable, its leaves should be periodically wiped and sprayed. Aloe leaves are covered with a waxy coating, and the dust that has fallen on them makes it difficult for them to breathe.
But aloe leaves emit phytoncides that are harmful to bacteria, and improve the air in the room. Therefore, it is necessary once a week, and even more often in summer, to wipe them with a slightly damp sponge or cotton wool, trying not to damage the protective layer.
It is better to do this in the early morning, before the rays of the sun begin to bake, or in the late evening. During the day, this is not recommended, since every drop of water left on the leaves under the influence of the sun can cause a severe burn. It is useful to spray the plant from time to time with a spray bottle or put it under warm summer rain.
If aloe got sick from fertilizers during this period, it is better to completely refuse, and water it extremely moderately. If the disease progresses, it is recommended to transplant or graft, following the recommendations.
Why is aloe called agave?
For a whole century will decorate the house,
And he will heal everyone in that house.
That flower is unsightly in appearance,
But as a healer famous. (Aloe.)
Aloe has a second name - "agave". It is connected with the belief that aloe blooms only once every hundred years. And then he dies. But this is a delusion. It's just that in our homes it is very difficult to create the same conditions as in his homeland - in Africa, beyond the Kalahari Desert in the Cape. There aloe blooms every year
The stalk of aloe is uneven, curved, dry scales are visible on it - the remains of old leaves. African tribes have a legend about how aloe arose and why this plant has such a shape.
Legend - a fairy tale about aloe for children
In one African village lived a healer-sorcerer. For many years he treated his tribe for ailments and diseases. But the doctor is old.
Aloe care at home
It became more and more difficult for him to collect the treasured herbs. One day he went to the desert to find medicinal plants. And there he was twisted by such pain that he could not unbend.
As a sin, the old lone lion noticed the sorcerer. I decided that it was easy prey and began to steal up to attack. The sorcerer could not move from his place from the pain. He was not afraid of death. Thoughts raced through his mind that if he died, there would be no one to heal his tribe. The sorcerer could not allow the lion to eat him. The sorcerer gathered his last strength, and turned into a tree a second before the lion's throw.
The lion was surprised when, instead of the old man, he bit the bitter and prickly leaf. The lion spat it out and ran away, howling in resentment. And in the middle of the desert there was a twisted old tree. When the tribe went in search of a healer, they found only a tree with juicy fleshy leaves, on which was a sorcerer's loincloth.
In dreams, a sorcerer came to people and said that the leaves of the tree are healing, taught the tribe how to be treated with them. People began to breed useful plant. And the healer stayed with the tribe forever to help him with his strength and protect him from evil.
How does aloe treat?
Aloe contains the medicinal substance aloin in its juice. It is aloin that heals, healing wounds, improving appetite, and restoring digestion. Since the substance "aloin" has the power against germs, they treat the common cold.
Aloin is more in older lower leaves. It is necessary to cut the leaf, remove the skin from it and attach it to the wound. After a couple of hours, change the leaf. Repeat several times. Show the children how it's done. Heal a doll that has a wound on its hand that does not heal. If children are involved in the process, it is worth recalling the bitterness of aloe juice. After aloe, you need to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and wash your face with water.
If the cut leaf is put in the refrigerator and kept there for 2-3 weeks, special substances (biogenic stimulants) are produced in the leaves, which enhance the process of skin regeneration.
CAREFULLY! For oral administration, aloe juice is mixed with honey, since the juice is very bitter. Inside you need to use aloe carefully. You can not drink it at night, because it interferes with sleep. There are a number of serious contraindications in taking it, so it is better to consult a doctor first.
Aloe experiments.
Why does aloe have such leaves?
Aloe is a leafy succulent. Let's look at aloe leaves with the children. Old leaves and young will be different from each other. Let the children observe the plant and find the differences.
Differences between young and old aloe leaves.
1. Color. Young leaves are bright green. The old leaves of aloe are lighter, as if some kind of whitish coating has been applied to them. A similar plaque can be seen on plums. This is wax. Wax reduces water evaporation. And protects aloe from scorching sun no worse than sunscreen.
Experience with aloe 1. Drop some water on an aloe leaf, and see how the drop rolls off the leaf. Because the aloe leaf is covered with wax. Moreover, the leaf shape of aloe is such that water flows to the roots of the plant.
Experiment with aloe 2. If we throw a leaf of aloe into water, it will turn silver. Air bubbles form around the leaf.
Experience with aloe 3. Let's rub a plaque on old aloe leaves with a finger. What do we see? The waxed leaf is as green as the young one.
A young aloe leaf has not yet developed enough wax, but over time it will also be covered with a protective wax layer. In the meantime, the baby - a leaf is growing, he is breathing intensively. Wax slows down not only evaporation through the pores (stomata), but also breathing. Therefore, we still do not see a wax coating on young leaves, because they need to grow and breathe.
2. Thorns. In old aloe leaves, the edges of the leaf have pronounced and coarse spines. With age, the leaves coarsen, the spines become more and more rigid. And this is not surprising! After all, it is in the old leaves that water is stored!
Young leaves appear during the rainy season. At this time, there are many other green foods around, so the animals are not very interested in leaves. And they may not defend themselves with thorns.
3. Differences between old and young aloe leaves in leaf shape.
Old and young leaves are different in shape. The old leaf forms a hump, convex from above. And young - forms a hollow. I wonder why this is happening?
The reason is that in the old leaves of aloe, the pulp grows, it is stored in them. more water, and the sheet acquires volume. If we cut the leaf across, we will see that inside the aloe leaf is filled as if with a gel or jelly. Water is stored in small bags. I wonder why the gel and not the juice, as in the orange fruit? Let's do an experiment to answer this question.
Experience with aloe 4. Drop a drop of water, and next drop a drop of gel-like aloe juice on the glass and leave them for a couple of hours. When the time is up, together with the children we will look at the results of our experience and discuss them.
What do we see? The drop of water evaporated, dried up, and the gel remained watery. So the gel helps the plant retain moisture!
People came up with the idea of using the gel to grow moisture-loving plants. (Show the child hydrogel balls for indoor plants)
Proverbs and sayings about aloe
Proverbs about aloe are associated with its bitterness.
They say about aloe "You can't get enough of Aloe", "You can't make Aloe sweet." Aloe does indeed have a very bitter juice. You can even try a little on the tongue to be sure of this. In medicines, aloe juice is mixed with honey, but even this does not help.
Why is aloe so bitter? Let the children answer this question themselves.
Let's discuss another saying "Hotter than aloe". In what cases do they say so? When something bad, difficult happens, when trouble happens, the hero loses something. Together with the children, let's remember the moments in fairy tales when what happened to the heroes could be described by the saying "Hotter than aloe." For example, when the hero experienced a sense of loss. When Ivan Tsarevich burned frog skin and lost his Vasilisa. When Ulyana's magic ring was stolen from Martyn, and he himself was thrown into prison. When Snow White fell into an eternal sleep and the seven dwarfs put her in a crystal coffin. When the queen and her son Gvidon were pitched in a barrel and the ocean was sent to the sea. But it is important to emphasize that this state is surmountable, even if it seems to the hero that everything is over, there will always be a way out of a difficult situation.
Riddles about aloe for children
"Green, prickly,
One hundred years old he is dense,
As soon as a runny nose caught you by surprise,
Run towards him with all your might! (Aloe)"
“It has thorns, but it doesn’t know how to hurt,
But heals us at any hour. (Aloe)."
"A leaf with a hump, a groove,
Has thorns, but can't hurt,
But heals us at any hour. (Aloe)"
“The leaves are prickly, always in needles. It is like a fountain growing out of a pot ”(Aloe)
For a whole century will decorate the house,
And he will heal everyone in that house.
That flower is unsightly in appearance,
But as a healer famous.
Poems about aloe for children
“They say “Aloe, aloe.” I wonder what it is?
What is it aloe- aloe blue?
Good or evil? Small or big?
Good or bad? And then I saw aloe
On Aunt Zoya's chest of drawers. On Aunt Zoya's dresser
Aloe grows in a pot Green, small,
Prickly and crooked. But it's so cute!" (B.
Brief description of the plant
Aloe - succulent plant belonging to the lily family. Homeland is considered southern Africa. Today, aloe is common in Madagascar, East and South Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. The genus includes 350 species, some of which are suitable for growing indoors.
Aloe spinous - a plant with a large rosette. The leaves are long, narrow, light green at the base, dark green towards the ends. The tips of the leaves are tapering, the edges are jagged, white. On a long peduncle are red-orange flowers, collected in racemose inflorescences. The juice is bitter, used for medicinal purposes.
Aloe soap has light fleshy horizontal leaves. The juice is not bitter, it is also used for treatment.
Aloe era is a plant with dark green leaves and bitter yellow juice.
Aloe awesome differs from other species in long curved leaves with spiky edges.
Aloe variegated, or brindle, can be recognized by the triangular leaves with green and white spiral stripes.
Aloe tree even in a room can grow up to 1.5 m in height. The leaves are bluish, prickly, up to 20 cm long, orange flowers, bloom in winter. Blooms very rarely.
All indoor species look beautiful but grow slowly. Their juice can be used for treatment.
Light-loving plant.
Moderate watering is sufficient.
Minor watering.
Accommodation
In winter, the aloe pot should be installed in a bright room with an air temperature of 8-10 ° C, in summer the temperature can be increased to 20-23 ° C.
Care
All types of aloe are unpretentious.
Homeland of the houseplant aloe
In the summer months, they should be watered moderately, in the fall, watering should be reduced. During the period of active growth, fertilizers must be applied once a month.
Planting aloe is best in soil mix, consisting of two parts sheet, one part sod land and one part sand. Some growers add a small amount of charcoal.
reproduction
The plant should be propagated by stem processes: they must be dried during the day and planted for rooting in a pot with crushed expanded clay or wet sand.
You can propagate aloe and seeds.
Pests and diseases
The main pests are the flat red tick and the scale insect. Heat air and abundant watering can lead to root rot.
Aloe: growing a medicinal plant at home
City on the sea
The houseplant aloe, known for its healing properties, grows in almost every home. However, few people are familiar with the history of the origin and distribution of aloe. From our article you will find out where the plant originates from and where aloe grows in its natural environment.
Aloe is a flower accustomed to hot and arid climates. To date, reliable information has not been provided on where this plant originates. Having studied many encyclopedic reference books and historical chronicles, scientists have found that the birthplace of aloe is South Africa and the island of Madagascar. Although often in the description of this culture you can find other geographical areas.
The aloe flower, which contains various vitamins, minerals, enzymes, polysaccharides, essential oils, amino acids, phytoncides and even salicylic acid, has significantly expanded its horizons and is now grown in many countries of the world where a temperate warm climate prevails. According to experts in the field of botany, this culture can only grow in a warm climate, low temperature air is detrimental to the plant.
Today, wild aloe is found in countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Somalia, Ethiopia, Swaziland, Malawi and Egypt. This crop is grown in most countries of South and West Asia, as well as in Greece and Turkey.
Many flower growers who are fond of studying the origin of various indoor flowers are interested in why it turned out to be so difficult to determine exactly where this succulent comes from. One of the most reliable assumptions is the too extensive geography of the plant's distribution in natural environment.
Video "How Aloe Vera Can Help"
Video about a unique plant with medicinal properties, about how aloe vera can be useful in life.
History of discovery and distribution
The first mention of aloe is found in historical chronicles describing events over 2 thousand years BC. e. The further history of this medicinal plant is lost.
However, archaeologists excavating and studying the tombs of the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt found rock paintings, which depicted flowering plant, in size and external characteristics resembling a tree-like aloe. At that time, incredible properties were attributed to this culture and were often called "the plant that bestows immortality." According to historical references, the juice of an aloe plant growing in the desert was used to embalm the dead.
In 1652, the Dutchman Jan van Riebeeck founded a small settlement on the Cape of Good Hope, where the Dutch, French and Germans fled from religious persecution in their homeland. Europeans, who found themselves in unusual living conditions, suffered from previously unknown ailments, which were almost impossible to cope with. It was during that period that Europeans began to adopt the experience of the local population and be treated with medicinal plants growing in nature.
Aloe came to Europe in 1795. The flower was presented to the wife of General James Henry Craig during one of the African campaigns. Mrs. Craig liked the plant so much that they took it with them to the UK.
Aloe was brought to Russia only in the 19th century. Unlike Europeans, many of whom are currently not familiar with the features of this succulent and consider it just an unusual indoor flower, our compatriots quickly learned and appreciated the beneficial and healing properties of aloe.
Aloe in the modern world
Aloe growing in the natural environment, the description of which includes more than 340 varieties, is famous for its beneficial and healing properties. Today, this culture has found its application in folk and traditional medicine, cosmetology, dermatology and aromatherapy.
Medicinal varieties have gained wide popularity, among which it is worth noting the tree-like, Socotrin and Barbados varieties. The latter is better known as aloe vera and is grown in almost every home. Given indoor plant used for the treatment and prevention of many diseases, as well as for
Aloe is native to South Africa. About 340 varieties of aloe are known in the world. The word aloe belongs to the Arabic language and means a perennial succulent plant that has fleshy leaves on the stems. This succulent belongs to the lily family. Aloe is a plant that loves heat very much, and if the air temperature reaches +4 degrees, then in most cases evergreen flower dies.
There are two main types of aloe: tree and vera.
Aloe Tree
In wildlife, the succulent reaches up to 4 meters in height. It has saturated fleshy leaves, the length of which can be 60 centimeters, wide near the base, clasping the shoot, pointed and arched closer to the top. The color of the leaves is greenish-gray.
Plant habitat South Africa. This succulent grows on rocky ground among shrubs in the desert. Tree aloe is widely used in medicine. It is bred as a medicinal houseplant.
Temperature and lighting
Since the homeland of this succulent is a hot mainland, it loves warmth and bright lighting. AT winter period suitable temperature 12 degrees not lower. Succulents are best placed on a south or southeast window, and in winter it is recommended to use additional lighting for 15 hours a day. With the advent of spring, it is necessary to gradually accustom the plant to the rays of the sun. To do this, the first time you need to darken the window.
Watering
On hot days, the flower should be watered sparingly. In cold weather, watering for the plant should be reduced. In summer, it is recommended to take aloe to fresh air, but it must be protected from drafts and rain.
The soil
The soil for the flower is chosen light, with thin layer drainage. In addition, charcoal and small brick stones are added. You can also use prepared soil for cacti. The plant needs to be fed once a month, for this they use special fertilizers for cacti.
Useful qualities of tree aloe
The juice of this succulent has a bacteriostatic and anti-inflammatory effect. In folk medicine, aloe is used for bronchial asthma, stomach ulcers.
To get juice, you need to cut off the lower leaves, which are approximately 15 cm long, rinse well with water. Then you need to cut into small pieces and pass through cheesecloth, then filter and can be consumed.
Aloe vera
For this plant, it is also necessary to create comfortable conditions. put in a warm and sunny place.
Priming
Unlike the tree species, aloe vera prefers not too fertile soil. To prepare the soil, it is optimal to use the following ingredients:
- soddy soil - 5;
- humus - 1;
- peat - 1;
- leaf land - 1;
- sand - 2.
If you do not want to prepare the soil yourself, then you can buy a special soil mixture for succulents.
Temperature regime
Since the natural habitat of the plant is the hot countries of Africa, with active growth temperature regime must be above 20 degrees. The temperature must be lowered when the flower is at rest.
Watering
Watering for the plant summer period need to exercise moderate. With intensive growth, faith must be watered regularly. But at the same time, the earth should not be too wet. With the advent of autumn, watering should be reduced to once every two weeks. In winter, the flower should be watered, depending on how dry the earthen ball is. It is only recommended that the ground be slightly dry.
Fertilizer
When a plant has active growth, then you need to use mineral dressings for cacti.
If you properly organize the care of aloe vera, then it is no more, and it is not attacked by pests. But in some cases
- mealybug;
- thrips;
If it is incorrect to create an irrigation regime, it may form root rot. In this case, the leaves of the plant become watery. Taking into account that the shoot is small in size, the leaves grow from the root collar, it is quite difficult to preserve this flower.
Beneficial features
Indoor aloe plants are used, for this you need leaves that are at least 2 years old. You need to cut the leaves and put in the refrigerator for 10 days, where the temperature should be 7 degrees. These actions help to develop useful substances. The leaves contain juice, which is characterized by an antiseptic and analgesic effect.
Description of the Kalanchoe houseplant: species, homeland and care highlights Transplanting and propagating aloe: basic recommendations for growing aloe from a shoot Description of indoor plant cyclamen: features and homeland
Among house plants, there is one that is distinguished by many useful properties, its name is familiar to everyone - this is Aloe. The flower looks like a cross between a cactus and a palm tree and belongs to the genus of succulents. In nature, aloe is used to growing in dry regions, so it does not require frequent watering and stores water in its fleshy, pointed leaves.
Are aloe and yarrow the same thing?
This flower has several other names, in our country it is called agave, since it was believed that aloe blooms once every hundred years. But today it is known that this is not so, at home mature plant blooms from November to March, but not every year, while the fruit with seeds does not ripen.
Sometimes aloe is confused with yarrow, but these are two different types plants and they look great from each other. Yarrow got its name just because of the abundance of small white flowers on its stem. It blooms throughout the summer, so it is very easy to recognize it. He is very unpretentious to the environment, in middle lane Russia is found everywhere. Aloe real grows only in warm areas where there is no snow.
But in some ways these two plants are similar, they both taste very bitter and have the following useful properties:
- stop the blood and strengthen the blood vessels;
- have anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect;
- accelerate the metabolism in the body.
In many homes you can find aloe. And everyone knows perfectly well that this "miracle doctor" is not only beautiful, but also very useful. On the pages of our site we will tell you about many diseases and how to lose weight. You can also learn about Aloe Vera, one of the most popular types of this wonderful plant.
What you need to know about aloe
Story
The first mention of this medicinal plant can be found in more than 2 thousand years BC uh. The ancient Egyptians studied it and used its beneficial properties. The image of aloe is found even in the drawings in the tombs of the pharaohs. Due to the methods of using the flower in medicine, it was called "the plant that bestows immortality". This status may also be related to the fact that it was used in the embalming of the dead.
Where the name of the flower came from has not been established for certain, there are several theories. According to one of them, it was formed from Greek words"salt" and "give", which meant - a plant with juice of taste sea water. When adapted to the Latin language, one word came out - “bitter”, which sounds like aloe. According to other versions, there are consonant words denoting a bitter taste in Arabic and Hebrew.
Homeland of the aloe plant
The islands of Barbados, Curacao and the west of the Arabian Peninsula are considered the homeland of aloe. Aloe owes its spread to other continents to people, as the fame of its beneficial properties gradually reached all corners of the planet. Almost all countries in the world Aloe has become a popular house plant.
Where is aloe found?
Now wild aloe is widely distributed in African countries: South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Ethiopia and Egypt. It is found in southern Asia and in countries with a warm climate such as Turkey and Greece.
Growing conditions in nature
In nature, aloe is of impressive size and reaches 4 meters, the leaves grow up to a meter in length and 20-30 cm in width. Total known over 350 of this plant, most have a tree-like trunk, the rest look like a sprawling bush. On its leaves at regular intervals there are thorns or hairs.
These flowers prefer to grow near semi-desert coastal zones, surrounded by other shrubs. They are often found in savannahs with gravelly or sandy soil. The habitat even reaches mountain deserts with a height of up to 2750 meters above sea level.
What kind of soil does the agave prefer?
Aloe accustomed to most extreme conditions and during drought closes the pores on the peel, thereby retaining water inside the leaves. Therefore, where other plants die, this flower feels comfortable, it is prepared for poor watering and poor soil. AT ideal The soil for this plant consists of the following types of fillers:
- gravel;
- shell rock;
- river sand;
- brick chips;
- volcanic rock - perlite;
— loose earth with a neutral water-alkaline balance, including clay, sand, humus and turf.
In an imaginary section of the pot, the soil should look like this: at the bottom there is drainage, then earth, and at the top there is coarse sand mixed with gravel.
Fertilizers for aloe are practically not required, many of them can harm the flower.
What does aloe look like?
Roots
In wild aloe, the root system is one long straight root with strong branching. Home flowers are much more compact and even the most shallow pots in order to grow safely.
Stem
On its straight stem, leaves branch in the form of a fan, they have a greenish-gray color. By their type, the leaves are smooth, fleshy and juicy, lanceolate-linear in shape and have sharp teeth along the edges.
Aloe thorns are poisonous and after their injection, redness and tingling appear on the skin.
Leaves
The bluish tint of color gives the leaves a special wax coating, it does not wash off from water and is designed to moisture from the leaf evaporated less. The sheet itself is divided into cells inside, it is in them that water accumulates.
in winter homemade aloe watering is not recommended, without sunlight, its leaves will try to grow, but they will turn out thin and ugly. AT hot weather in addition to watering, it is necessary to spray, which in wild environment replaced by morning dew.
flowers
When an aloe decides to bloom, its owner will be lucky to see large flowers up to 4 cm in length. They are dull orange in color, tubular and bell-shaped in structure. The inflorescence itself is racemose and in large specimens reaches 40 cm in length. Aloe flowers are fragrant and produce a lot of nectar.
Fruit
At home, the fruits of aloe flowers do not ripen, but in nature they look like trihedral boxes. They have a lot of dark gray seeds with wings, thanks to which they expand their area of growth.
Aloe is a popular crop among houseplants, not only because it has a number of useful properties, but also because it does not require special. After all, if you forget to water him, he will not even notice. It is useful to know what grows in your house in pots, because before that the plant has come a long way of spreading through the earth and has benefited many people, and now it pleases you too.
Aloe, or agave, is a popular houseplant with medicinal properties. Its juice is traditionally used for colds, skin diseases, diseases of the genitourinary system. Distinctive feature agave - its unpretentiousness: caring for aloe at home does not require much effort. In nature, there are more than 500 plant species, but only a few of them are bred in apartments: tree-like, spinous (or squat), variegated and aloe vera. You need to know how to properly care for this plant.
The first thing you should pay attention to is the material from which the pot is made. Most often it is plastic or clay. The first is cheap and light, but its inability to pass air can be detrimental to the root system. So the pot must be clay.
The shape does not matter, and the size and diameter must be selected depending on the volume of the roots and the height of the plant. For example, caring for indoor aloe spinous requires a shallow bowl of large diameter, since this succulent (the so-called plants that have special tissues for accumulating water) has a superficial root system, and a tall tree-like aloe (the plant reaches a meter in height) needs a deep pot.
Proper care of aloe requires the presence of one or more holes in the container with a diameter of 1-1.5 cm, through which excess moisture will escape. Old pots must be thoroughly washed with soap and water before planting, and clay pots should preferably also be calcined in the oven to kill harmful microorganisms.
Requirements for the substrate and top dressing
Another feature of aloe care is the choice of soil. The plant is suitable for nutritious and loose soil, which passes air and moisture well. Can be bought at flower shop a special substrate for succulents, or you can cook it yourself. To do this, you need 2 parts of turf with the addition of clay, 1 part of leafy soil and 1 part of coarse sand. To increase friability, you can use broken brick, shells or perlite. When planting at home, a layer of drainage 3-4 cm thick should be poured onto the bottom of the pot.
From March to September, you need to take care of aloe at home especially carefully: at this time, the flower is actively growing, so it needs nutrients and minerals. It is necessary to regularly feed the plant with complex mixtures containing phosphorus and potassium. It does not need to be fertilized in winter. Top dressing is applied 2 times a month in accordance with the recommendations indicated on the package. In this case, a number of rules must be observed:
- you can not fertilize the succulent immediately after transplantation, since during this period it is especially vulnerable;
- before applying top dressing, the plant must be watered;
- a flower planted in a special substrate is not recommended to be fed for 10 months, because too high a concentration of nutrients can harm it;
- top dressing is best poured into a pan or into moist soil, avoiding contact with leaves and stems.
How to transplant a plant
Aloe transplantation is an important event. The point is that over time nutrients less and less remains in the substrate, the soil is depleted, it becomes light as dust, and after watering it is taken with a crust. In this case, it is useless to feed the succulent, since fertilizers cannot fail to replenish the humic component of the soil. Only a complete replacement of the substrate will help solve the problem. A young flower should be transplanted once a year, after the plant reaches 3 years - less often, once every 3-4 years. Transplantation includes 6 stages:
- Aloe must first be watered abundantly: this will allow you to extract the roots along with the ground without injuring them.
- Cooking pot. It should be 1/4 more than the previous one. Drainage is poured at the bottom of the dishes, then - up to half - soil.
- The container with the plant is placed on its side, aloe is carefully removed from it, and the root is freed from clods of earth. It is important to prevent damage - let some of the old substrate remain on the roots.
- The succulent is placed in a new pot, the roots straighten it. At the same time, they should be at a distance of 3-3.5 cm from the walls, but not touch them.
- From above, the roots are covered with soil so that the root collar is buried to the same level as before. The soil should be slightly tamped.
- The transplanted plant is watered and placed in a shaded place for several days. All this time it is not necessary to moisten and spray it.
Illumination, temperature
In nature, succulents grow in areas with a warm and dry climate: in Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. This must be taken into account when providing aloe care at home. It is better to grow a flower in a house at a temperature of 22 to 26 ° C, it can be safely placed on a windowsill on the south or east side.
The sun is the source of life for aloe, which determines its growth rate and appearance. For example, the leaves of aloe spinous, which grows in a well-lit place, have a bright dark green or even brown color. When placed in a dark corner, the plant turns light green and never blooms. At the same time, an excess of sun will also not benefit the succulent: direct rays can cause a burn in the plant.
In order for the aloe trunk to be strong, and the leaves to be large and bright, it is useful to take it out to the balcony, not forgetting, however, to cover it from wind and rain.
Watering and spraying
Providing aloe care, it is important to organize the correct watering. You need to water the plant as the soil dries out - 1-2 times a week. At the same time, excess moisture is detrimental to him. It is especially dangerous in the cold season: overflowing in combination with low temperatures leads to rotting of the roots and death of the flower.
For irrigation, it is better to use settled or boiled water, because in tap water a lot of harmful chlorine for plants. The temperature depends on the season: in winter and autumn it should be 7 ° C above room temperature, in spring and summer the permissible range is from 20 to 33 ° C.
You can water a houseplant both from above and from below. For top watering, a watering can is used, a jet of water is directed under the root. Under no circumstances should it be allowed to enter the socket. At the bottom, the liquid is poured into the pan, and the plant itself takes as much moisture as it needs. This type of irrigation is considered more preferable. To stimulate rapid growth, it is recommended to add a little concentrated juice of the succulent itself to the water.
The flower does not need to be sprayed often, and some species, such as aloe vera, do not need this at all at home.
Seasonal conditions for growing a plant
Many novice growers do not know how to care for aloe at home in winter, and continue to perform the same activities as in summer, but this is wrong. In the spring and summer, the agave is actively growing, it has new leaves. In variegated and tree-like aloe, they grow from 5 to 7 per year, in squat aloe - from 6 to 10. At this time, it is important to regularly fertilize the flower, provide it with enough water and light.
In winter, aloe goes to sleep, its growth slows down. Watering the plant during this period should be no more than once every 25-30 days. If it grows on the windowsill, then additional lighting is not needed, if in a shaded place, it is better to turn on a phytolamp for it. If possible, the flower should be taken out to a heated veranda or balcony, where the air temperature does not exceed 13 ° C; in such an environment he will feel comfortable. Minimum temperature, which aloe tolerates - 10 ° C.
How to make agave bloom at home
It is generally accepted that aloe blooms only once every hundred years, so the people called it the agave. But this is nothing more than a myth. Flowering can be achieved even in an apartment, the main thing is to properly organize the care of the plant at home, creating an environment for it that is close to natural.
During the first 3 years, you should not wait for aloe to bloom. After reaching the age of three in spring, the succulent should be transplanted, and in the fall, when it stops growing green mass, start preparing for wintering: provide illumination for 12-15 hours and dry air with a temperature of up to 13 ° C. If all the necessary conditions observed, aloe will bloom in winter.
During this period, the plant shoots an arrow 40-50 cm long, at the end of which a panicle is formed from many future buds, yellow, orange or red, depending on the species. Their shape resembles elongated bells. Gradually, the buds open, but not all at once, but in turn, from the bottom up, and when the top ones open, the bottom ones already fade. At this time, the succulent pot must not be moved or rearranged to another place. The plant blooms for 6 months. After that, you need to carefully trim the stem so that it does not deplete the aloe.