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aloe vera


Question
QUESTION: what kind of fertilizers does i need for growing aloe vera?
ANSWER: More than anything, Aloe must grow in just the right soil to keep its shallow, spreading roots healthy.  Wide in this case is preferred to deep, and drainage is essential.

Coarse sand will ensure that the soil is not too heavy.  This succulent plant can't take the usual potting soil recipe.  Cactus soil is more its type.

Fertilizing is rarely needed, but very weak regular doses for a few months at the height of the Summer growing season will generate more growth.  I prefer to mix in Bone Meal and Alfalfa or other Organic amendment with the Sand and Gravel.  You can't over do it if you try, and it makes those Roots superstrong.

For watering, any pH-neutral fertilizer will do.  Less is more.  Most people err with overwatering and overdosing on the potting soil.  Not the fertilizer.

Let me know if you would like further details, but that's the truth, short and simple and honest.

Good luck.  Any more questions, I'm here.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks very much. about the kinds of minerals or organics, moisture,temperatures?

Answer
Aloe is a true desert succulent.  Been to Florida?  It's too cold for Aloe!  This is a plant that needs real warmth, the kind of tropical heat you get in Zone 10 and South toward the Equator.

Don't be tricked into overwatering by its tropical comfort zone.  Aloe's desert heritage demands EXCELLENT drainage (lots of sand and gravel) and a low humidity to allow quick evaporation of any moisture near the root zone.  Got that?

Like I told you earlier, it is easier to over water this plant than anything else, and that's the simple truth.  Overwatering is the best way to lose your Aloe.

The organics I listed are high in the Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potash minerals that enhance metabolism and cell division in this plant.  I must warn you that fertilizing is not recommended.  Give it a customized growing medium and watch it glow.  That growing medium should have at least 50 percent sand and more if you can get it.  No peat moss (retains moisture).  And absolutely NO MIRACLE GRO SOIL or fertilizer; these will destroy all microbes in the pot, and you need those microbes to make N P K available to the roots in slow, steady doses.  Get some ordinary 'dirt' out of the ground and mix it with sand and gravel.  There's your potting mix.

Light for this plant can be your basic sunny or bright window.  Make sure the pot is wider rather than deep -- these roots like to spread.

Anything else?

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