Proper pruning of aloe is essential to extracting all the beneficial properties from the succulent. The plant is pruned for propagation and to extract medicinal properties from the leaves. Aloe often requires care, so dead leaves must be trimmed. To avoid mistakes, it is important to follow all recommendations.
Trimming leaves for cuttings
The most common method of propagating aloe plants is by cuttings. This method is convenient because it can be taken at any time of year. However, artificial propagation is recommended in summer or spring, as this is when the aloe plant's growing season begins.
This propagation method requires using branches from the side of the plant. These branches are located along the entire length of the stem. They are cut and placed in a closed area (a cabinet or closet) with humidity of approximately 45-55% for a week.
As a soil, you can choose several mixtures from:
- peat;
- sand;
- ash;
- brick chips.
You may be interested in:After all these steps, the cutting is ready for repotting. The substrate is poured into containers and watered generously. A distance of 6 centimeters is maintained between individual shoots. When planting, it is recommended to deepen the cutting a couple of centimeters into the soil. Once the first roots appear, the aloe requires more frequent and thorough watering.
Flower for medicinal purposes and raw materials
When pruning the plant for medicinal purposes, it is recommended to use sharp cutting tools. The lower leaves contain a large amount of sap and pulp, making them best suited for medicinal purposes. The leaf should be cut off and the spines removed. Before pruning, the succulent should be left without water for about a week. It is recommended to dust all cuts with charcoal.
Regardless of the plant's needs, the leaves should be cut. These specimens are stored in the refrigerator, wrapped in cellophane or a sheet of paper. After a week of storage, the leaf is crushed and the juice is extracted. This juice can be used to make medicinal tinctures, creams, and facial masks. It has been noted that the plant tolerates the procedure better during the waning or full moon. To avoid harming the aloe, it is recommended to perform the procedure during this time.
You may be interested in:Sanitary treatment of succulents
Dying parts of the plant are periodically removed. Often, these are the lower petals of the aloe plant. It is recommended to prune shoots damaged by sun rays. These will not produce suitable leaves for harvesting.
Trimming should be done with a sharp object, preferably a knife. The cut areas should be treated with charcoal. After trimming, it's best to repot the plant in a new container with soil. This will refresh the aloe and reduce the risk of damage to the leaves and shoots.
Aloe is a unique aloe plant that promotes the healing of diseases. Like any other plant, it requires timely care. Depending on the purpose of the leaf trimming, it is important to follow the recommendations. Each cut is always treated with charcoal to accelerate the aloe's regeneration process. It's also important to remember the best times to perform certain procedures.