The beauty and benefits of striped aloe: how to make friends with this plant?

On the windowsills of many houses and apartments among indoor flowers, a noble plant Aloe occupies a worthy place, which has long been known for its healing properties.

The inhabitants of the Middle East to this day have preserved the ancient tradition of hanging an aloe branch before entering a new house, rightly believing that the plant has magical powers and will bring prosperity and health to the family. We’ll talk more about this flower in our article.

Botanical Description

Aloe is a genus of succulent herbaceous plants. This perennial in natural conditions is common in all areas where the tropical and subtropical climate prevails: Madagascar, South and Central Africa, the Mediterranean, Central and South America. This unpretentious culture remains viable in the arid African deserts and in the coastal temperate climate.

One of the interesting representatives of the species is Aloe striata (Aloe striata).

• This is a decorative flower that does not have a stem, the leaves are wide at the base and pointed from above (lanceolate) collected in a tight rosette and decorated with white spots or transverse stripes.
• The leaf length reaches 50 cm, the width at the base is up to 10 cm.
• The flowering period begins from April to May. The flowers are small, about 2 cm, have a reddish hue and are located on peduncles with a large number of brushes.
• Striped differs from other species of aloe in the harmonious combination of elongated dense leaves and bright color, which gives the plant a decorative effect.

Photo

Here are photos of striped aloe:

Care

Special care conditions for the maintenance of this type of aloe are not required, since the plant is unpretentious and easy to take root in a new place.

1. The temperature regime is not demanding flower. He is quite satisfied with the room temperature, which is comfortable for the residents of the room.
2. If the air temperature does not affect the health of striped aloe, the amount of light is of great importance for the plant. The best place to place the flower will be the most lighted window sill. The bright sun and fresh air in the summer on the balcony will transform it beyond recognition. In a shaded area, the plant stretches toward sunlight, and the leaves become dull.
3. The ancestors of striped aloe come from hot countries, so the plant will react to a slight overdrying of the soil calmly. It is better to exclude excess water in the pot, since overmoistening will have a detrimental effect on the flower. In winter, watering should be reduced to once a week. The most correct method is to moisten the soil as it dries.
4. Humidity does not have a special effect on flower development. Spraying should be carried out in the winter after the start of the heating season no more than once a week or when dusting leaves.
5. Top dressing should be done using fertilizers for succulents, according to the instructions.
6. To shape and accelerate the formation of new green leaves, it is necessary to trim the flower. If the plant blooms, which happens infrequently, the peduncle should be cut off immediately after flowering. Damaged or dried leaves must also be removed. If lateral shoots appear, they should be seated, as the "kids" greatly weaken the mother plant.
7. The transplantation of young growing plants should be done more often than once a year, increasing the size of the pot. An adult plant is transplanted every three years as the pot is filled with roots.

Breeding

The process of aloe reproduction is not difficult even for inexperienced growers. The plant takes root without problems and is rooted by cuttings, regardless of the time of year.

Cuttings - lateral processes that appear along the trunk of the plant.

1. For propagation, the lateral shoots are cut closer to the base and cleaned in a dark place for 3-4 days for drying.
2. After this, the cuttings are planted in a container filled with wet sand to a depth of not more than 1 cm. The distance between the cuttings is 5 cm. During rooting, the sand must be kept moist.
3. After 1 to 2 weeks, the cuttings take root and are ready for transplanting into small pots.

Soil should consist of a mixture of turf, sheet land and sand.

Disease

Aloe is an unpretentious plant that does not require special attention and carebut sometimes it is affected by pests or some diseases.

1. If the tips of the leaves dry out on the flower, it may be that there is not enough space in the pot and it needs a transplant. If the roots took up all the space in the tank, then the plant begins to feed on its own resources, that is, leaves.
2. If the leaves become thin and lethargic, the cause may be insufficient light or dry earth.
3. Growth retardation and wilting of the stem in aloe can be caused by decay of the roots of the flower. The plant can be saved at an early stage of the disease by removing rotten roots and a significant reduction in watering.

Aloe pests are infrequently attacked, but still you need to remember some of them and check your pet for insects:

• spider mite;
• scale shield;
• mealybug.

In order to discern them and in time to apply measures to exterminate insects, it is necessary to use a magnifying glass. For treatment, you should purchase a special drug - acaricide. For the prevention of plants, you can use spraying with garlic tincture, special attention should be paid to the lower part of the leaves, where pests are grouped.

Aloe on the windowsill of any room is not only a living pharmacy grown with its own hands, but also a beautiful decorative flower that can give the owners aesthetic pleasure.

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