Aloe vera since ancient times used for medicinal purposes. The ancient Egyptians considered it the elixir of immortality, Chinese healers - "harmonious drug." Today, almost every housewife has at least one copy of this wonderful plant on her window sill.
Characteristic
Aloe vera (Latin Aloe barbadensis, English Aloe vera) or aloe vera, barbados - It is a herbaceous plant used in medicine and cosmetology.
Africa is considered the birthplace of this succulent, some researchers believe that the first overgrown plants were found on the Canary Islands and Cape Verde Islands. In nature, aloe vera is found only in the Canary Islands. It is grown commercially in America, East Asia and China.
Aloe vera is often confused with aloe tree. With the similarity of useful properties, there are noticeable external differences. The leaves of the Barbados aloe grow in a dense rosette with a diameter of up to 60 cm. At the agave the leaves are located on a solid trunk.
The leaves of aloe vera are sword-shaped, fleshy, with sharp thorns, reaching a length of 75 cm and a weight of up to 1000 grams.
The color of leaves is from grayish to saturated green, glaucous, with a spotty pattern. The roots are short, increasing with age.
Growing at home
Aloe vera is unpretentious in the soil. But for normal growth flower nSucks in enough light and low humidity.. With proper care, aloe lives for about 20 years.
For cultivation in room conditions, you can buy ready-made soil for succulents, or mix one part of leafy soil, coarse sand, humus with two parts of turfy ground.
It is advisable to add a small amount to the soil. charcoal. Drainage is required.
Aloe vera propagated by seeds, cuttings and shoots. In the first case, the seeds are planted in sterile sandy soil in the spring. After a month, the seedlings are thinned, after another two months, they are seated in individual pots.
For propagation by cuttings at the base of an adult plant, the right amount of leaves is carefully cut off. Slices need to be dried, after a day - two powdered with powdered coal. The cuttings are planted in a sandy soil to a depth of 1 cm. No need to actively water the plant. After a month it should be transplanted to a permanent place.
For reproduction of aloe vera shoots, you need to choose a process that has 2-3 leaves and a formed root system. It must be carefully separated from the parent plant and transplanted into a moistened substrate or a mixture of equal parts of sand and peat. During the week you need to water the plant. Then proceed to normal care. Plant prefers direct lightIt is best placed near windows on the east or south side.
In the cold season you should use artificial lighting. It is necessary to cut dried and damaged leaves in time, in a timely manner to remove new processes.
Transfer
The purchased flower is transplanted 3 weeks after purchase.
Aloe vera grows slowly and needs to be transplanted only when the roots fill the entire pot.
The day before transfer to a new container, the plant is watered abundantly. A new pot at 1/5 is filled with drainage. A layer of soil is laid on top. A flower with an earthy clod is carefully transferred to a new pot, after removing the long roots. Then fill the ground and water. If the roots do not occupy the entire capacity, you can change part of the soil in the pot.
This plant should not dramatically change the type of soil. After transplanting abundantly watering aloe vera is not necessary.
Diseases and pests
Aloe rarely gets sick, but if there is a suspicion of pests, it should be immediately isolated from other plants. Frequent diseases: dry rot, root rot and pest damage. Usually pests can be seen with the naked eye and take appropriate measures. With the defeat of a spider mite, whose size does not exceed a millimeter, you can notice a spider web on the leaves and a change in the color of the plant. For flower treatment should spray acaricides, alcohol solution or garlic tincture.
Aloe roots rot with abundant watering, which causes the death of the plant. The flower dries out.
If the roots are partially damaged, it is enough to remove the damaged parts. Healthy roots need powder with coal powder and transplant to another pot. Completely damaged plants should be discarded. Flowerpot should not be reusedbecause the bacteria that have settled in it can destroy other flowers.
Dry rot does not manifest in the early stages. Without changing color, the plant dries out. It is impossible to save him. Under the conditions of detention, this flower will protect itself from bacteria and pests.
Medicinal properties and contraindications
In medicine and cosmetology is used extract, fresh and dried juice. Aloe vera leaves contain a large amount of vitamins A, C, E, B group, beta-carotene, antraglycosides, essential oils, enzymes, polysaccharides, substances that have an anesthetic effect. The leaves are rich in calcium, zinc, magnesium, potassium, chromium, sodium phosphorus.
Plant preparations detoxify, neutralize acid. Juice stimulates the appetite, it is recommended for gastritis. Improves the absorption of iron in the body. External used in the treatment of dermatitis, burns, trophic ulcers and purulent wounds. It enhances adaptogenic function, stimulates blood circulation, accelerates cell regeneration. Aloe promotes collagen productionIt has a powerful moisturizing effect. A mixture of juice and castor oil, aged 12 days, is used to treat the skin of people suffering radiation sickness.
For some ophthalmologic diseases, asthma, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections of aloe reparations are prescribed.
In some forms of alopecia, aloe vera juice is recommended to be rubbed into the scalp.
Aloe vera drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, with cystitis, hemorrhoids, allergic reactions and individual intolerance. It should be used carefully in diseases of the gallbladder and liver, menstruation.
Prolonged use of aloe preparations disrupts the water-salt balance.
A photo
See more photos of aloe vera further:
- Miraculous plant Aloe motley (tiger)
- The secrets of growing aloe spinous
- Home Aloe Trees
- Aloe: plant, grow, multiply
- How to plant aloe at home? Aloe Transplant Rules
- Aloe - from wild to home healers
- Aloe - your home doctor
- Does your aloe root? Learn about the causes and methods of treatment!
- Does aloe bloom once in a hundred years? What is the plant popularly called the "Agave"?
- Homemade Aloe: All About Proper Care
- Aloe Vera - medicinal properties and contraindications
