I have a very large aloe.It has started to curve at the base of the plant.Will it hurt it to trim the bottom leaves off and plant it deeper or is there a better way to make it grow straighter? [img]IMG_0236[/img]
It may flower, but it will want lots of direct sun and some seasonal changes to do so. I don't water mine from Thanksgiving to Valentines' Day and keep it cooler (just by keeping it in my livingroom - we don't turn the heat up much in the winter), a little more water and out doors in hot, direct sun all summer. This December it graced me with its first bloom. Also, it's more potbound now than ever before. I think that helps.
treesa, repotting may help - i wouldn't put it any deeper in the soil than it already is, tho.
also, place it so that the side that is down is on the far side of the sunlight...it should start to straighten up as it reaches for the sunlight.
edit: on second look at your pic...repotting shouldn't be necessary...just turn the pot so the part that is leaning over is leaning over in the direction of the room and open the blinds up so more light is available...over time, it should straighten up.
Last edited by joclyn; May 12th, 2007 at 05:12 PM. Reason: added comment
My aloe moves towards the sun. So probably the best way to stop it from curving is to provide some light directly overhead. And if you do that 18 hours a day and yours is like mine it will bloom within a few months and then bloom about once a season. Which isn't really a good idea since they do need to rest. I had to change from a cfs bulb to a regular 40 watt so my aloe would stop blooming.
I have had my Aloe for about 4 years now ..She has produced many offspring which ihave replanted and given to family and friends.The repotting is what I will try ,making it a little deeper than it is now..thanks to everyone ..the comments and replies have helped me to decide what I am going to do today...Happy Mothers Day to all
I know this thread is old, but I couldn't resist. My aloe is about the same size of yours and it is doing the same exact thing. I have repotted mine several times, now it is in a huge 16" pot. Mine too has produced many "babies" that I pot up and keep around or give away. Mine has not bloomed either and it is over 5 years old. I have been told that if you break the leaves off to use them medicinally that it will not bloom. Now I find out, since that is what I bought the dern thing for and found out later that they bloom. Maybe I can get one of the "babies" to bloom for me since I use the mamma for everything. I think that maybe if you turn the pot around every few months this will help with the falling over effect. I turned mine a month ago and it is straighting up quite a bit. Hope some of this helps you and others.
Alot of times the reason the Aloe curves is due to over crowding. I have alot of Aloes as large and even larger than yours and when the babies start coming up the push on the base of the momma making it curve. I usually remove the bablies and settle the momma in a straighter position and she is ok......at least till new babies start over again.
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