Aloe Queen cultivation method
The editor answers your questions about the related knowledge of growing Aloe Queen at home, the cultivation method of Aloe Queen, as follows:
There are relatively few articles on the cultivation experience of Aloe Queen, most of which are theoretical knowledge. This article is a summary of a flower enthusiast's experience, which is of reference value for those who like Aloe Queen. From long-term maintenance, Aloe Queen prefers a deeper pot, and the mouth diameter should always be larger than that of the queen, so that the queen can grow faster.
According to the data, the queen prefers to grow in a cool environment. If the maintenance environment can have a temperature difference between 10°C and 17°C, that would be the best.
Let's talk about some ways and techniques of raising Aloe Queen. The experience or methods provided here are for reference only and should be adjusted according to your own geographical location.
1. Soil configuration: Generally speaking, when planting Aloe Queen, if you put large particles or cobblestones under the pot or container, that is wrong. Aloe Queen needs to retain moisture, not overly pursue the good or bad of drainage.
In my home, we only use peat, and I personally use pure peat. I generally recommend using: peat soil or coconut shell 45%, perlite or red jade soil or coal slag 45%, basalt or sandstone 10% (to create air pockets in the soil), which is what I feel is more common. The specific usage varies from person to person and also needs to be adjusted according to the local temperature and humidity. Remember not to make the soil too wet.
2. Soil temperature and humidity: Generally speaking, if the temperature exceeds 30 degrees, you need to pay attention to controlling the temperature because the roots in the soil have much less tolerance to temperature than the leaves. By the way, in our area, Changzhou sometimes has temperatures of 37-38 degrees in summer, and the surface temperature at noon can be about 60 degrees. If you shade only the leaves on top and not the pot, it can also cause big problems. Don't water at noon, it's generally recommended to water at night, and preferably not during the day. Increasing the temperature is like watering your Aloe Queen with warm or hot water, and it won't survive.
The Aloe Queen is most afraid of humidity. Speaking of shading, in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai regions, it is usually necessary to reach 60% or 70% (meaning to prevent sunlight from shining through). Normally, keeping the soil moisture between 50% to 70% is best. In hot and humid weather in summer, you don't need to maintain such high humidity, but also don't follow an absolute water control theory. Not watering at all will only make the queen die slowly. When the soil is short of water, remember to water it. If the soil moisture is less than 40%, you need to pay attention.
3. If your place doesn't have enough sunlight, you will need a UVB ultraviolet radiation lamp, which is a container for infrared radiation heating. It's not just any ordinary sunbathing lamp, which I've tried and doesn't work. We can exchange ideas about the specific UVB red and blue bands. I have a露天 balcony, so I don't need that stuff much.
4. Let's talk about water: Ordinary tap water is fine for watering, of course, it's best to let it sit in the sun to add some oxygen. Remember, if the water has a high alkali content, it's best not to use it. Small seedlings will become rigid, and Aloe Queen doesn't like that kind of water either. You can try an experiment to see which one grows better with alkaline or non-alkaline water. Alkaline water leaves a white alkali layer on the soil after watering, indicating that the alkali content is too high and not suitable for watering the queen. Adding a little nitrogen fertilizer to the water is also fine, but remember not to exceed the dosage.
5. Low temperature: If it's very cold in your home in winter, according to the rated data, Aloe Queen can survive at temperatures as low as -12.2°C with sunlight, but it's best not to do this, especially not with young seedlings. This applies to fully grown queens.
6. Fertilizer: Use organic fertilizers as much as possible, and the best formula is one without alkaline substances.
7. Pests: If there are pests in the soil, such as black flies, use the appropriate pesticides like Huahushen or Tudengdan. You can also use mosquito coil ash or soap water, although I haven't tried soap water.
8. Don't meddle: Don't pull out the dead leaf tips, yellowed leaves, or枯黄的 leaves. They will naturally age. This aspect should still follow nature. Each yellowed leaf either provides nutrients for new leaves or adds some roots. Don't pull out leaves for no reason.
9. Root discrimination: Healthy roots are yellow, and dead roots are brown. If there are decayed or bad roots, cut them off promptly and remember to disinfect. To make the queen grow bigger, you can trim the roots at certain intervals, cut off the sick and aging roots, and plant them back in the soil. Remember to place the trimmed Aloe Queen in a shady, slightly moist place, not too wet. The soil moisture should be as I mentioned above. In about 2-3 weeks, new roots will sprout. Don't trim the roots in summer.
10. Bad leaves? Thin leaves? Wrinkled? First, keep the soil moisture between 50%-70%, and second, the soil should be breathable. Check if your soil is compacted or if the side of the pot has no small holes? (I usually plant in a storage box and use a candle to burn a unused screwdriver, a thick one, to make many small holes on the side) Because I use pure peat and no particles, this is how I increase aeration and oxygen. In short, excessive humidity or high temperatures can kill the queen.
11. Young Aloe Queen seedlings are more difficult to care for than mature ones, which become easier to raise as they grow larger.
The above () introduces the specific content of the cultivation method of Aloe Queen for everyone's reference.