November 25, 2007

Aloe Plant Propagation

Plant propagation refers to the regeneration and increase in the number of plants. This could be done either sexually or asexually. Sexual propagation makes use of seeds whereas in asexual propagation there are no seeds involved. Instead there are various other methods that are used for asexual propagation of plants. Aloe is an herbaceous plant. Plants that are herbaceous remain soft all through their lifetime. A number of houseplants are herbaceous. Aloe is one of them. Spring is considered an ideal time for propagation of herbaceous plants like aloe. However, this does not mean that they cannot be propagated during other seasons.

Stem cutting is a method of vegetative reproduction that is used most often. It's advisable that you use a tissue that's tremendously strong. It should be young too. A stem measuring about three to five inches should be detached from the main plant. The cut should be done in a clean manner. Make sure you make the cutting below the node of the main plant. Nodes are located in such an area that roots are quickly formed over there. If there are leaves remaining at the end of the stem, they should be removed. That is because they are prone to rotting if they come in contact with the soil. The other leaves will help in the growth of roots.

Hormone for the purpose of rooting can be applied to the bottom of the cutting. The bottom of the cutting should then be put into a rooting medium. Make sure that the rooting medium has some moisture in it. At times, the cuttings begin to take root even if they are placed in water. Care has to be taken that the roots don't rot due to the scarcity of air. After the formation of proper roots, the cutting ought to be transplanted into a proper pot. In case leaves are used for propagation instead of the stem, similar procedure can be followed.

The roots as well as the shoots begin to develop at the bottom of the stem. The leaf from which the roots begin to grow, ultimately, dies out. A leaf-bud cutting method can also be used. Thus, the method of plant propagation of aloe is similar to the method that is used for all herbaceous plants. It can be seen that the method of plant propagation involves cuttings of stems or leaves.

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1 Comment on Aloe Plant Propagation »

April 20, 2008

Annette Hall @ 3:11 am:

I have an adult aloe plant in my backyard, and about a month ago, I noticed three baby aloe plants sprouting up around it. Today I'm trying to dig one up, in order to replant it somewhere else, but the further I dig, the thicker it becomes. What will happen if I cut these out underground? I don't want to needlessly kill them, but there's not enough room for them to grow where they're sprouting up. Any insight would be appreciated. Is it typical for aloe plants to have sprouts come up like this often?

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