Aloe Vera Root problem

[CSavell]

Hi,

Last week I bought a second hand aloe Vera plant with 18-20" leaves. It was potted in a big black pot used in plant stores for trees. The leaves were spread out, so I placed it in a west facing window to improve light. I have noticed over the last few days some fungus gnats floating around the house, and have discovered them mainly in this aloe Vera. I dumped it out and it was pretty wet down in the soil with some large rocks and terracotta pieces were used to prop it up. I currently am drying it out, thankfully there is no actual rotting. My problem at this point is that the plant has a huge tap style root that goes straight down, and I really don't want to put it in a bigger pot, or the same "tree store" pot it was in. Should I let it grow off to the side in a smaller pot, hoping it will straighten up?

Thanks!
Ches.

 

[Beth_B]

Why don't you want to repot it... seems like a smaller pot would just lead to it being rootbound. You're probably right that the problem was it was too wet...an appropriate-sized container and a good drying out should correct the drooping.

Do you have pictures?

 

[Rajesh Sethi]

Aloe Vera plant when kept in large pot grows well, but small pot will be okay for it, its a cactus plant, does not need much care and fertilizer, grows well in sandy soil(well drain soil).

Though small pot will make it grow as a creeper, tends to jump over the edge. Stem can't support the weight of the heavy leaves so you would rarely see a plant growing straight upward.

 

[CSavell]

Why don't you want to repot it... seems like a smaller pot would just lead to it being rootbound. You're probably right that the problem was it was too wet...an appropriate-sized container and a good drying out should correct the drooping.

Do you have pictures?

I do want to repot it but the root is so long the only pot made for the length would be fit for an apple tree and I feel that would be too much soil for it. I would like to put it into something decorative but suitable for it. I have attached a photo of the plant in its previous home. It looks smaller in the photo. From tip to tip it is about 3.5 to 4 feet wide.

Thanks for your response!

 

[Beth_B]

Well not sure what you mean by "too much soil" since growing in the ground is a natural state for plants, while being in a container isn't.

I think @Rajesh Sethi has a good point. It will do OK in the smaller pot, but won't be able to grow a strong enough root system to grow tall. And for sure use well-drained light soil and don't water it often.

 

[CSavell]

Thank you!

 

[CSavell]

Aloe Vera plant when kept in large pot grows well, but small pot will be okay for it, its a cactus plant, does not need much care and fertilizer, grows well in sandy soil(well drain soil).

Though small pot will make it grow as a creeper, tends to jump over the edge. Stem can't support the weight of the heavy leaves so you would rarely see a plant growing straight upward.

I should probably go ahead and just put it back into an equally large pot then, this time using a cactus mix . I think it will be too heavy lop sided. I'm hoping it will shoot up some offspring so I can start some smaller ones.

Thank you for taking the time to respond!
Ches.

 

[Mardel]

Hi,

Last week I bought a second hand aloe Vera plant with 18-20" leaves. It was potted in a big black pot used in plant stores for trees. The leaves were spread out, so I placed it in a west facing window to improve light. I have noticed over the last few days some fungus gnats floating around the house, and have discovered them mainly in this aloe Vera. I dumped it out and it was pretty wet down in the soil with some large rocks and terracotta pieces were used to prop it up. I currently am drying it out, thankfully there is no actual rotting. My problem at this point is that the plant has a huge tap style root that goes straight down, and I really don't want to put it in a bigger pot, or the same "tree store" pot it was in. Should I let it grow off to the side in a smaller pot, hoping it will straighten up?

Thanks!
Ches.

Hello.. I had one of my aloes actually have root rot I never saw bugs on it and my Watering method remained the same but this still happened a month ago. What I did was cut out the rot and left this Aloe plant out of soil for 3 weeks to dry out. I replanted it in a different pot with Cactus soil and perlite. I also gave it a little water and set it on my window sill were it only gets indirect light. I'm not sure if it will grow any roots but it's rizone is looking OK. I included pictures of my plant before and after. Good luck with your plant, Hope this helps