Question
Greg,
    How are you?  I have a large aloe vera plant that is about 27 inches from dirt to top of leaves.  She is in a pot that is aprox 15 inches deep/13 wide.  She is gettign so tall that she is beginning to bend over .  I actually have a stake in there right now to keep her propped up as I am agraid that if she bends over to far her stock will break.  My question is when I repot her this spring, do I bury more of the stock down in the dirt?  What do you do when they get so tall?  Also she is kicking of babies like there is no tomorrow, when is the best time and way to cut them and do i plant them right away or keep in water?  Also she is flowering for the first time.  Any special care while she does this?

Thanks,
Cassie

Answer
Dear Cassie,

You are losing a futile battle. An Aloe Vera stalk or trunk in not strong enough to hold up its leaves. They will fall over and creep along the ground rooting those "babies" along the way. If tou want a tall vertical Aloe, an Aloe Dichotoma will grow tall and has leaves similar to Aloe Vera.

As far as the pups go, just break them off and let them dry for a few weeks. Then replant, thats it...very easy. Once the flower stalk dies, you can remove it, no speacial care at all. If you live where himmingbirds are, watch for them as they seem to like Aloe flowers.


Sincerely,

Greg