I purchased an aloe at a farmers market and when I got it it was lush and green and plump and had a few pups growing in the same pot. The pups were the reason I chose that one. It may have been exposed to overwatering (someone else was watering my plants as was I without telling me). It also had less light than it was used to previously (greenhouse) but seemed to do fine for a while. But then it started sagging, and then the tips lost thier plumpness. By no means are all the tips flat but some of the leaves are mostly flat, in fact the flat ones are the ones closest to the soil. I have been letting the soil dry out mostly between waterings for a while but a few weeks ago I noticed some bright green bugs creeping over it. So I got some insecticidal soap for houseplants and drenched it (and to be on the safe side all my other plants). I also separated it from all my other plants as soon as I noticed the buggies, sprayed any other bugs I saw and it had been banished to the bathroom until I didn't see any bugs for a few days. The bathroom only because that was the only bright lighted space without other plants. Now that it is back with my other plants closest to the window I haven't noticed much improvement. I feel that somehow it is all related to the roots, since none of the aloes (2 main and several pups) seem very well secured within the soil anymore.
So my questions are, do you think the deterioration was due to the bugs? Also could it be due to a change in water? I have moved to a new location recently switching from beautiful well water to hard chlorinated fluoridated water, which I personally do not drink straight from the tap (thank you Brita!). And about how long should I expect before it shows improvement?
I think your "gut instinct" is right on. It's most likely root rot from overwatering. Plants growing in reduced light need less water than plants in very bright light. IMO, this is especially true of succulents.
The only thing to do is to remove the aloe from its container and examine the roots. Many aloes grow new roots easily, but since you haven't specified the species or variety you have, there's no guarantee yours is one that does. Aloe Vera is, however, so if that's what you have, I recommend that you cut the main stem back to healthy, firm tissue and leaves. Lay the healthy part aside out of direct sunlight for a day or two, or however long it takes fir the cut end to dry (callous). Then replant the healthy part in fresh, fast-draining potting mix designed for cacti and other succulents. If you are only able to salvage a small part of your original plant, it might be good to use a smaller pot.
Plant the stem about 3/4 to 1 inch deep in moist soil. Water the soil thoroughly right after you repot it, then allow it to go quite dry before rewatering. The dryness of the soil helps to encourage the growth of new roots.
If it were my plant, I would set aside the container with the old root system and just ignore it for awhile. You might find that the roots aren't completely dead, but just unable to support the top growth. The old root system may send up some baby aloes for you.
HTH!
The only thing to do is to remove the aloe from its container and examine the roots. Many aloes grow new roots easily, but since you haven't specified the species or variety you have, there's no guarantee yours is one that does. Aloe Vera is, however, so if that's what you have, I recommend that you cut the main stem back to healthy, firm tissue and leaves. Lay the healthy part aside out of direct sunlight for a day or two, or however long it takes fir the cut end to dry (callous). Then replant the healthy part in fresh, fast-draining potting mix designed for cacti and other succulents. If you are only able to salvage a small part of your original plant, it might be good to use a smaller pot.
Plant the stem about 3/4 to 1 inch deep in moist soil. Water the soil thoroughly right after you repot it, then allow it to go quite dry before rewatering. The dryness of the soil helps to encourage the growth of new roots.
If it were my plant, I would set aside the container with the old root system and just ignore it for awhile. You might find that the roots aren't completely dead, but just unable to support the top growth. The old root system may send up some baby aloes for you.
HTH!
Sweet. I do believe it is an aloe vera. I have seen this partuclar version of aloe very often so that is why I assume it is. And even if it doesn't grow new roots easy like we will hope then no big deal. I am not super in love with it yet =) That sounds like a kind of fun thing to do. The aloe has 2 pups and 2 older plants so I was thinking of repotting them anyways. I did notice one brown leggy bug on it today so back in the bathroom.
So refering to the comment about less light less water, how do South and SE facing windows compare on the light scale? Or is it just safest to go on letting it dry up to where the pot it light then drenching it again, assuming I use cacti soil? And I have access to rooting hormone, will that help?
So refering to the comment about less light less water, how do South and SE facing windows compare on the light scale? Or is it just safest to go on letting it dry up to where the pot it light then drenching it again, assuming I use cacti soil? And I have access to rooting hormone, will that help?
You can use rooting hormone if you like, but I wouldn't bother with it. A south or southeast window would be a fine location, but wait until some roots have grown. You'll know because the plant will start sending up new leaves, as well. Until you see new growth, keep the plant in bright, indirect light. That can mean placing the container to one side of the window, or moving it a foot or 18" into the room, away from the glass. Another option would be to hang a sheer curtain between the window glass and the plant, to filter out the most intense light.
Your plant may go dormant, even after bring moved into the full light of the south window. It will depend on the hours of sunlight you get each day in the winter at your location. If it goes dormant, it will need less water, because the plant won't be actively growing. In the beginning, before it grows new roots, it needs less water because there are no roots to absorb moisture from the soil. Keeping the soil too damp in either circumstance will just promote rot.
Your plant may go dormant, even after bring moved into the full light of the south window. It will depend on the hours of sunlight you get each day in the winter at your location. If it goes dormant, it will need less water, because the plant won't be actively growing. In the beginning, before it grows new roots, it needs less water because there are no roots to absorb moisture from the soil. Keeping the soil too damp in either circumstance will just promote rot.
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