Aloe - perhaps, one of the most unpretentious house plants. The beginner will even cope with its contents. But, as well as certain diseases, for example, root decay are inherent to each plant, aloe.
The aloe (or aloe) is plant-succulent. All representatives of this group do not demand thorough leaving, are drought-resistant, love heat and light. It is called still "The house doctor" as juice of aloe has unique medicinal properties. Even for seeds of other plants juice of this succulent serves as growth factor and strengthens their immunity.
Such house ""pet"" will not demand from the owner of special efforts. It is optional to spray unpretentious flower, it is not necessary to feed up, often to replace, form krone. The aloe ""will forgive"" if the owner forgets it to water or will be away on vacation, he is from areas with hot and droughty climate.
However and such hardy plant can ache and even to die. As well as for all succulents, root decay is dangerous to it. As roots are in the earth, it is difficult to see disease at once. Observation of elevated part will help to define problem.
Signs of the desease
The condition of sheet plates becomes the first disturbing symptom. Since lower the leaves wither, dry up or, on the contrary, become friable and watery. As a result the trunk gradually becomes bare. The next stage — utonchatsya root neck. In the started cases decay completely destroys it, and the trunk in this place can break. From the soil the unpleasant smell of rotting proceeds. Inexperienced flower growers in such cases draw conclusion that the withering pet lacks moisture and power supply. ""Patient"" is begun it is abundant to water and feed. And it cannot just be done categorically!
Are the reasons of decay:
- excess moisture
- cold
- organic chemistry surplus in the soil
As it is correct to treat root decay
To stop watering. It will be enough if the disease is revealed quickly and the root system has not strongly suffered.
To stop fertilizing. The aloe does not need to be fertilized at all. If it very long grows without change, add to water for watering special liquid fertilizer for succulents (in it nitrogen content is reduced), but it is possible to apply it only during the summer period.
To provide comfortable temperature. Root decay is especially dangerous if the plant overcools or is on draft. Better for winter time to remove it from cold windowsill.
To take out flower from pot together with the earth and to examine. If roots have not strongly suffered and have not filled all available volume yet, it is enough to dry earth lump by means of paper towels, and then to leave for several days on air. Then to place back in pot.
If roots have seriously begun to rot and/or have completely braided all soil, have formed rings at the bottom of capacity, drastic measures are necessary. In difficult cases when the disease is started, only cutting and full change with soil replacement can help.
Change of aloe
It is carried out in the following order:
Accurately take plant from pot. Remove all soil, wash out underground part. Pathogenic microorganisms need to be washed away flowing water. Dry on air several hours.
Process the tool (knife, scissors, secateurs) hydrogen peroxide or alcohol and cut off too long roots with the begun to rot sites. If decay has managed to spread to stalk, then at scrap a little healthy part of stalk should take, about 1 cm. It is desirable to powder cuts pounded activated carbon and to leave in shadow before formation of the dried-up protective film.
Prepare capacity for landing. Old carefully wash with soap. It is better if the cachepot for aloe is new and the bigger size (to enough increase diameter and height by 2 cm). It also guarantees that on its surface there were no harmful bacteria and fungi.
Prepare substrate. It is more preferable to take ready pochvosmes for succulents or cacti. But it is possible and to make it independently: on two parts of friable prime quality land to take one part of coarse bank sand. It is very good to add small haydite, perlite, vermiculite or wood charcoal to this mix. It will make the soil easy and air-permeable. Surely before landing fill thick layer of drainage on pot bottom. It is admissible to use not only traditional haydite or sand, but also fine gravel, pebble, small pieces of brick, the crumbed polyfoam, pieces of wood charcoal. Put, having slightly moistened soil.
The main rule of care for the ""recovering"" aloe — the reduced watering. The first time after change can be watered not earlier, than in three weeks.
You remember main rules of agrotechnology for succulents: warmly, light, any organic fertilizers and moderate watering, otstoyanny warm water — is not more often than once a month.