Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the miraculous uses of Aloe Vera in gardening. In this article, we will show you how Aloe Vera can provide numerous benefits to plants and improve your garden. Aloe Vera, also known as “the plant of immortality” is rich in nutrients, enzymes, and antioxidants that offer numerous benefits to the human body. But what if we told you that it can provide many of those same benefits to plants too? In this article, we will list out the top 5 benefits of Aloe Vera for plants and your garden.
1. Seed Germination
Aloe Vera is not only a rooting agent but also promotes healthy seed germination and strong seedlings. Watering your seeds and seedlings once a week with Aloe Vera gel mixed in water can improve the overall growth and yield. Mix 1 teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel per litre of water or 1 tablespoon per gallon. Spray this over the seedlings or water them once weekly.
2. Natural Rooting Agent
Aloe Vera contains salicylic acid and other antibacterial and antifungal compounds that help promote rooting faster. There are many methods to use Aloe Vera for rooting. Let’s look at them one by one:
- Dipping the cuttings into fresh Aloe Vera gel and inserting them into the soil. We recommend soaking the cuttings for a few hours into Aloe Vera gel before planting them. This will not only promote faster root development but also increase the success rate of rooting cuttings because Aloe Vera fights fungal rot.
- Inserting the cutting into a small piece of Aloe Vera leaf and planting the whole thing into the soil achieves the same results.
- Placing a piece of Aloe Vera in the water used for hydroponic systems can also provide the necessary nutrients for rooting.
3. Fertilizer
You can make a soil drench or a foliar spray with Aloe Vera. To make a soil drench, take some fresh Aloe Vera leaves and cut them into pieces and blend them with water. You don’t need to peel them. Add half a cup of this gel to one gallon of water or 2 tablespoons per litre of water and water your plants with this solution once every 15 days. Make sure you drench this within half an hour of making it because if exposed to air, fresh Aloe Vera quickly ferments and begins to degrade.
The second preparation is a foliar spray, which helps plants absorb these beneficial nutrients directly through the leaf stomata. You need to make a fresh Aloe Vera solution like one tablespoon per litre of water or a quarter cup per gallon. Sieve this to prevent your sprayer from getting clogged. Mix it well before spraying. Spray more on the underside of the leaves because leaf stomata or openings are more concentrated on the underside. Spray this in the evenings to avoid quick evaporation in the presence of sunlight.
4. Transplant Shock
Certain high levels of antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral compounds found in Aloe Vera can help plants recover from transplant shock. A plant goes into transplant shock when you repot it or transplant it from one place to another. The plant looks wilted and unhealthy after transplant. To help recover from this shock, water your plant with Aloe Vera solution at least once after repotting. Repeat after 3-4 days if necessary. Add 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera gel per litre of water or a quarter cup per gallon of water, mix it well and water your plant.
5. Plant Immunity
Aloe Vera gel is fully loaded with over 75 beneficial nutrients and enzymes like amino acids, antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, chemicals, synthetic fertilizers, and other harmful products can harm the environment and your plants. Aloe vera is a natural and eco-friendly solution for plant care that can be easily grown in your home or garden. By using aloe vera in your garden, you can enjoy a wide range of benefits for both your plants and the environment.
In conclusion, aloe vera is a versatile plant that can provide numerous benefits to your garden. From promoting healthy seed germination to improving plant immunity, aloe vera is a natural and eco-friendly solution for plant care. By incorporating aloe vera into your gardening routine, you can help your plants thrive while also supporting a sustainable and environmentally-friendly approach to plant care.
So, whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting out, consider using aloe vera in your garden. With its many benefits and versatility, aloe vera is sure to become a staple in your gardening routine. Try out these different methods of using aloe vera and see the difference it can make for your plants.