Wondering how to propagate aloe plants is common and luckily it is quite simple as aloe is, in fact, one of the easiest varieties of Asphodelaceae family plants you can grow generally. Propagating the plant may be slightly different.
While the process is not difficult per se, it does require a couple of steps to ensure success and quality results. If you were trying to find ways to begin propagating your aloe, look no further.
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How to Grow Aloe Vera From Cuttings Like a Pro?
To grow aloe vera from cuttings like a pro you must know what to do with aloe vera cuttings – start with a healthy looking plant. Thereafter choose a healthy stem, cut and dry them and repot! If you’ve ever wondered how to propagate aloe vera without roots, do this!
1. Choose a Healthy Looking Plant
The number one standard key to propagation is always using a healthy and nourished plant as the “mother.” This not only increases your chances of proper growth, but it also makes the entire process of growing aloe that much easier. Try picking a plant with the glossiest leaves and large size. A key tip is to hydrate your aloe vera plants before taking the cuttings.
2. Choose an Equally Healthy Stem
Like how you would choose a plant for propagation, you will need to choose the ideal stems for cuttings too. Look for stems at least a few inches tall and some leaves attached to them for the best results.
3. Cut the Stems
Your aloe plant stem cuttings should have at least a few root nodes on them for the best chance of success. You may even come across some with new roots sprouting, making the process even faster and easier.
For thick stems, use heavy-duty pruners that are sharp and sterile for a clean cut. After making the cut, remove the lower leaves as needed to expose two-three inches of the stem. Don’t throw out the other half.
Maintain it in the same manner as you would the entire plant. It will eventually form pups around the base, resulting in even more new plants.
4. Dry Out the Stems
Before attempting to root aloe vera cuttings, allow them to cure (dry out) and callous over. Simply place it in a dry area away from direct sunlight to accomplish this. The larger the cutting the longer you let it cure.
Cure the small cuttings for at least a week, while larger ones should cure for two to three weeks. Do not skip this step, or they will rot. It’s properly cured when the cut end is completely calloused over, and the stem feels dry to the touch.
5. Potting the Aloe Vera Stem Cuttings
It’s time to pot it up when the roots reach three to four inches in length. Place it in a container one size larger than the current one. Make sure that you use a potting mix that drains well and a pot with drainage holes. Then plant it at the same depth as the first one.
Of course, this is optional. If the container is large enough, you can simply leave it in there until it matures or outgrows the pot.
How to Propagate Aloe Pups Using the Division Method?
To propagate aloe pups using the division method you should look for pups, brush off the soil gently, then untangle and examine the roots. After that you can use rooting hormone to repot the offsets, repot the mother plant and keep them dry.
1. Look for Aloe Pups
Look for pups on and around the stem of your aloe vera. You should be able to find them at the stem, but pups may also be hiding at the mother plant’s base. Their mother’s large leaves may completely obscure them. Each offset should have a few leaves as well as its own root system.
2. Brush Off Soil
Remove the entire plant from its pot, pups, and all, and brush away as much soil as possible. If planted in a garden bed, carefully loosen or soften the soil and remove the aloe plant and its pups with a trowel. Take care not to disturb any other plants that may be growing nearby. Take special note of the root systems of both the parent plant and its offshoots. Plant care and how you approach it is especially important here.
3. Untangle the Roots
Untangle the pups from the original plant gently. If necessary, use a knife to cut them free, but avoid cutting the roots. Take your time with this step to ensure that you do not harm your aloe vera plant.
4. Examine the Roots
Examine the offset’s roots for any damage now that it’s been separated. Remove any rotten or unhealthy portions, leaving as much of the root as possible intact. You should also inspect the mother plant’s roots for damage.
5. Use Rooting Hormone if Needed
You can dip the ends of offsets with few or damaged roots in rooting hormone to encourage new growth. While not always necessary, the hormone aids in the development of root systems.
6. Repot Offsets
Repot the offset in a separate pot with dry, well-draining soil. Because the roots need to breathe, don’t pack the soil too tightly. Even though the pups from the parent plant are small, they must adjust to the new soil around their root system.
7. Replant the Mother Plant
It’s easy to learn how to replant aloe vera. Replace the mother plant in its pot. You can also use this opportunity to upgrade its pot to a larger one. It’s the same process whether you’re repotting aloe vera or another plant. Plant your new aloe at the same depth they were in its previous pot. The same should happen if these plants were in a garden bed.
8. Keep the New Plant Dry
Giving your baby aloe vera some water is tempting as a housewarming gift. Keep it dry for a few days, though. The roots require time to recover from the move, which is best accomplished while the soil is dry. After a few days to a week, gradually resume watering your plants.
How to Care For Newly Propagated Aloe Plants?
To care for newly propagated aloe plants you should water them lightly, give them bright, indirect sunlight, maintain a warm temperature – 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit, forgo fertilizer for the moment, give them well-draining soil and ensure that the new pots are slightly larger than the plant’s root ball.
– Watering
After planting the new aloe offsets, water them lightly and allow the soil to dry slightly before watering again. Overwatering can cause root rot, so be cautious. Maintain slightly moist but not soggy soil.
– Sunlight
Bright, indirect sunlight is ideal for helping aloe to grow. Place the newly propagated plants in a location with plenty of natural light, but avoid direct sunlight until they can adjust.
– Temperature
Aloes will grow ideally in temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintain the new plants in a warm, draft-free environment.
– Soil
Ensure you give your aloe vera well-draining soil specially formulated for succulents or cacti. You can buy a ready-made mix or make your own by combining potting soil, sand, and perlite.
– Fertilizer
For the first few months, no need to worry about fertilizer. Newly propagated aloe vera do not require it. Once the plants have established themselves, you can feed them a balanced fertilizer every few months.
– Potting
If you keep your new plants in containers, ensure the pot is slightly larger than the plant’s root ball. Overwatering and other issues can result from transplanting into an overly large pot.
Frequently Asked Questions
– Should You Water Aloe Frequently After Repotting?
No, you should not water an aloe frequently after repotting, unless your soil is very dry. You should only apply moderate amounts of water. Water your new aloe plants sparingly until their roots have established themselves, which should take one to two weeks after planting.
– Is Aloe Easy to Propagate?
Yes, aloe is easy to propagate. In fact, some varieties are very easy – these include the cape aloe, lace aloe, spiral aloe, candelabra aloe, hedgehog aloe, and most short-leaved aloes. Aloes, particularly the well-known aloe vera, also help to clean the air and are highly prized for their medicinal properties.
Conclusion
Now you have a complete step-by-step guide on how to propagate and grow aloe the right way. Keep the following in mind:
- Always choose healthy plants before using any method of propagation as it guarantees better results.
- Remember, looking for ways on how to propagate aloe vera from leaf cuttings may not be the fastest or most reliable way of propagation, but you can try.
- Aloe vera pups are extremely important and play a huge role in the correct propagation technique. Make sure you find a stem with at least a few pups on.
- Plant aloe vera in a good-quality potting mix to ensure healthy growth. Planting aloe vera should be easy once you’ve got the hang of doing it once or twice.
So, are you ready to get your hands dirty by growing aloe? Go try your hand at propagating!
