growing spiral aloe from seeds in zone 8b

#GROWING SPIRAL ALOE FROM SEEDS IN ZONE 8B FULL#

The radicle should emerge in about two weeks. Maintain even moisture, but take care to avoid overwatering. These seeds need light to germinate if necessary, use a grow light on a 16-hour day schedule. Ensure cool soil temperatures, and don’t use a heat mat, as the seeds won’t germinate if the temperature exceeds 80☏. If the seed is scarified, scatter it over the potting medium and then cover it with a very fine sprinkling of soil. roughed up a bit to break the outside dry coating, using fine grit sandpaper. While information on coaxing spiral aloe seeds to germinate is not always consistent, experts agree that the seeds should be pretreated before sowing by either soaking them in water until the radicle emerges (the first sprout from the seed) or scarified, i.e. The ideal mix is similar to a cactus potting mix or a hydroponic grow system. For rock, use 5/16” grade red lava, perlite or pumice. Any high-quality potting soil will work, but avoid peat moss products, because they can hold too much water. Use a mix of rock and potting soil in a ratio of 1:1. Potting MediumĮnsure that your container or pot has drainage holes. In hot climates, these plants typically grow in the shade of larger shrubs and trees, so they may need some protection from direct sunlight during hot afternoons to provide more indirect light. So it’s no wonder this plant requires a well-draining soil medium to avoid root rot and other fungal diseases. Gradually expose the plant to light when transitioning to outdoor life to prevent sunburn and let it acclimate to the new conditions.The spiral aloe grows in a range of soils although, like most aloes, it is found naturally on rocky slopes and gravelly soils. To save the plant, just keep it in a pot and move it outside when temperatures are warm. Growing aloe outdoors in beds where the cold is consistent and long in duration is not recommended. If the cold snap is longer, you’ll need to spread a thick mulch or straw around the root base to also protect the root zone. In other regions, either keep the plant in a container to move if necessary, or apply protection.įor occasional freezes, cover the plant with a large plastic container if the cold period is just overnight. Placing your aloe plant outdoors in appropriate zones doesn’t require any special care as long as the site is sunny and the soil is loose and gritty. Try growing aloe outdoors in a container that will also allow you to bring them indoors if a freeze threatens. Both are quite hardy specimens that will do well outside even in moist temperate zones.Īloes are good as stand alone plants or produce lovely displays when combined with other succulents in a container. In areas that have milder climates, you can grow wide variety of aloe plants in the garden. Aloe Plants in the GardenĪs a rule, you cannot grow the Aloe vera plant outside of its recommended zones except in a container in summer, then moving the plant indoors to a sunny location for the winter. They do need regular watering but are very tolerant of drought conditions for short periods. The plants store water in their leaves, which means they can go long periods without water.

Aloe polyphylla is a variety that is grown in the mountains of Lesotho and there are others which thrive in coastal or grassland locations. The growing conditions for aloes vary in their native habitat.

#GROWING SPIRAL ALOE FROM SEEDS IN ZONE 8B FULL#

They require full sun for at least six hours per day, but best growth is found where they receive at least eight hours of bright light. Can you grow aloe outside of these zones? You can in the summer in a container, but you should move it indoors for the cold season.Īloes grow in poor soil with good drainage. Aloe vera is not frost tolerant and cannot withstand chilling temperatures, but there are alpine varieties that have cold tolerance to nearly freezing.Īloe grows in USDA zones 8 to 11 outdoors. There are over 400 species of aloe, with Aloe vera one of the best known. Growing Conditions for AloesĪloe plants are native to Africa and grow in many climates. Some varieties have a cold tolerance below 32 F. It is commonly grown as a house plant but a lucky few zones can grow them year around outdoors. Aloe is not only a lovely succulent plant but also an excellent natural medicinal to have around the home.

Growing spiral aloe from seeds in zone 8b