Aloe vera plants have a height ranging from 60 to 100 cm depending on the type.
The flower stalk is about 1 meter long, each flower is 3 to 4 cm long.
Origin
Aloe vera belongs to the Asphodelaceae family and originates from the Arabian Peninsula.
Botanical characteristics
Aloe vera is a small plant with a woody, short stem base. Leaves are sheath-shaped, sessile, growing very close together in a rosette. The leaves are succulent, with coarse serrated edges like sharp thorns, hardness depending on the type, the upper surface is concave with many irregular spots, and the leaves are 30 to 60 cm long. The inflorescence arises from the leaf axil, can reach up to 1 meter long, bearing many drooping flowers, with 6 petals fused at the base, and the capsule fruit contains many seeds.
Color
Aloe vera leaves range in color from light green to dark green, with white edges.
Aloe vera flower corolla can be yellow, orange, or red.
Types of plants
Currently, there are two popular types of aloe vera:
American aloe vera: long leaves, large sheaths, many thorns, often with white powder on the underside of the leaf.
The plant produces new sheaths year-round, and aloe vera flowers usually appear in summer.
Propagation - Seedling
Aloe vera can be propagated by separating offsets from the mother plant, stem cuttings, or asexual propagation using tissue culture techniques.
Distribution area
Aloe vera can be grown in many provinces in our country, but it is most commonly found in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan.
Common diseases
Aloe vera is a plant that is rarely affected by pests. Common diseases in aloe vera include mealybugs, root rot, soft rot, black spots, etc. One of the important considerations when growing aloe vera is drainage and timely removal of damaged leaves to prevent spreading.
Planting and care
Temperature: Aloe vera grows best at temperatures from 15 - 35°C, which is a fairly wide range, suitable for our country, so aloe vera is quite widely cultivated. The plant is sensitive to frost, and if grown below 5°C, it will stop growing.
Soil: Aloe vera is drought-tolerant but cannot withstand waterlogging, so it is necessary to choose high, well-ventilated, loose soil, preferably sandy or light loam soil with good drainage.
Watering: When the plant is young, water once a day to allow it to develop, and after the seedlings are well established, water every 2 - 3 days. Depending on the weather, adjust the amount of water accordingly for better plant growth.
Fertilization: Aloe vera has the ability to absorb and quickly metabolize nutrients in the soil. Therefore, in addition to basal fertilization with manure, top-dress the plant with NPK fertilizer.
Harvest
Aloe vera can be harvested for the first time 6 months after planting.
Harvest the large outer leaves, leaving the small leaves to continue growing. Use a knife to gently score the leaf stalk and then cut close to the base, avoiding damage to the plant.
Dip the cut end of the leaf into a bucket of water to let the sap drain out. After 6 - 8 hours, the aloe vera leaves can be packed for transport to the factory or market.
