Question
QUESTION: i transplanted an old aloe vera that had a long stem about 8" between roots and first leaves.  i buried the roots and stem just exposing the leave base, so it would look nicer in the pot and not hang over the end of the pot.  Unfortunately, it developed root rot and i removed the whole plant and cut away the dead or rotted stem, with about 2 to 3" of stem left with about 18 health leafs left.  i will dry it out to form a callus on the bottom of the stem.  am i doing the right thing and what else should i be doing?

ANSWER: Hi Larry,

Yes, you are on the right track now. Place the stem cutting in a small terra cotta pot (4-inches or less) filled with a loose porous potting mix. The lowest leaves should rest on the rim of the pot. Keep this mix damp, but not wet. Provide lots of indoor direct sun and warm temps for best results. In time, roots will form along the buried stem and fill the pot with roots. After that, you will see significant new growth and offsets (baby plants) emerge. Keep it potbound for best growth and to lessen the chances of root rot.

I have written an article on plant propagation that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for your answer.  the original pot i put the plant it was 13" square to accomodate the large root and stem that the original plant had (to bury).  Since the plant is still large, with leaves in excess of 15", the 4 inch pot may be too small to accommodate the top portion of the plant.  However, i will try to do that rather than put it back into the large pot.  I did not want the leaves to overhang and possibly tear off from their weight not being supported or the plant falling over from the top weight leaning to one side.

Should i wait 2-3 days before i do the repotting, so that the callus is properly formed?

Answer
Hi Larry,

24 hours of air drying is more than enough. No advantage to waiting longer.

Use the smallest pot that you can. The cutting should be centered and supported by the pot rim and the soil packed in moderately tightly to provide support. Theoretically, it should not require pot support, but it does make it a bit easier. Having the leaves extend far over the rim of the pot is not a problem. You can also use a small stake for support if necessary until roots form.

With a smaller pot, the roots will fill the pot sooner and that means greater support and less chance of inadvertent overwatering.

~Will