Question
My aloe plant looked really healthy, green and plump, but my husband accidentally gently brushed some clothes he was carrying up against it and the whole thing totally collapsed! I don't mean he knocked the pot over- the leaves just all fell over like dominos at the point at which they meet the ground; the very bottoms of them were mushy and have tiny white spots on them and the roots are mushy. I think they got root rot, but the upper part of the plant looks great- as i said, i had no idea anything was wrong with them. My question is can i still make use of the leaves and salvege some use out of my sad loss, or are the leaves diseased too and i should not use any part of the plant on my body even though most of it appears to be juicy and plump? and can i mash them up and save them in the fridge or something for for a period of time? Do you have a recepie or method for preserving aloe for use later? I don't want to just throw the leaves away and i can't possibly use all the plant at once. Thanks so much.

Answer
Hi Lindsay,

You can cut the top half of a healthy leaf off and let it dry for 24 hours in the open air. Then, insert the cut end down in a small pot filled with a mixture of half peat moss and half perlite. Keep this mixture slightly damp at all times. Provide warm temps and lots of bright light.

It may take several months before you see baby plants emerge from the base of the cuttings. You can put multiple cuttings in a single pot to create a fuller plant.

You can prolong the life of an Aloe vera cutting by refrigerating it, but I cannot tell you how long it will last. If it turns a funny color or starts to small, then discard it.

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

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.
           
Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC