Aloe variegated or tiger - what is this flower

Aloe variegated will decorate any room. Externally, the houseplant has an attractive appearance. In addition to its decorative properties, the flower has medicinal properties and easy care. If the necessary conditions for the development of the plant are met, you can see how it blooms.

Aloe variegated or tiger - what is this flower

Aloe variegated is one of the varieties of the genus aloe. Otherwise, the flower is called tiger or variegata. The culture belongs to the succulent family. A perennial flower grows on windowsills or outdoors (in summer).

Features of growing variegated aloe

A short description of what aloe variegata looks like

Aloe variegated can reach a height of 30 cm, the leaves grow from the roots, forming a rosette. The length of the leaves of the plant can reach 15 cm, and along the edge they have small thorns and a white border. The color of the leaves is dark green, a distinctive feature is the presence of stripes and spots of white.

Description of tiger aloe

The roots of the culture are well developed. Subject to all the rules, the plant forms a peduncle with scarlet or red buds.

Healing properties

Aloe variegata flower has medicinal properties:

• has an antibacterial and diuretic effect;
• promotes wound healing;
• effective in the treatment of infectious diseases;
• enhances immunity;
• eliminates inflammatory processes.

In addition, aloe is often used in cosmetology to restore the skin and even out skin tone. The sap of the plant is used to treat the digestive system.

Caring for variegated aloe at home

In the wild, the culture prefers an arid climate. In order for variegated aloe to develop well at home, some care features must be observed.

Illumination and temperature conditions

Proper placement is a basic requirement for the development of spotted aloe. It is necessary to install a container with a culture in a well-lit place. With a lack of light, special lamps are additionally used. However, in the warm season, the plant prefers a slight partial shade, which will reduce the risk of burns on the leaves. In indoor conditions, the flower should be placed on the windowsills located on the south side of the house. The suitable temperature for aloe is 12-18 degrees Celsius.

Features of plant care

Watering rules and humidity

The variety is undemanding to moisture, so watering is rarely done. In the hot season, the bush should be watered every 10 days, in winter the frequency is reduced to once every 2 weeks. The liquid is applied only when the soil in the pot becomes dry. Regular soil moisture leads to rot on the roots and can harm the plant.

Top dressing and soil quality

The plant is fed only with liquid fertilizers. For this, the agent is diluted in water and introduced into the soil by irrigation. For the flower, mineral fertilizers are used, developed specifically for succulents. You can also use wood ash, humus, or a decoction of vegetables. Top dressing is applied once a month.

The soil is chosen such that it allows air to pass through well. When self-compiling the soil, it is necessary to mix one part of the garden soil, one part of humus and a part of coarse river sand. From above, the nutrient layer must be lined with coarse sand or small pebbles.

Flower container size

When choosing a container for planting aloe variegated, it is important to ensure that the roots of the plant do not rest against the walls. The best solution is loose pots. During the growth period, a bush is transplanted and soil is replaced.

Choosing a pot for planting aloe

Pruning and replanting

The plant should be inspected and sanitized pruning. At the same time, all damaged and dried leaves are removed. When the buds wilt, it is also recommended to remove the peduncles.

Flowering and dormant period of tiger aloe

Aloe tiger begins to bloom only 4 years after planting. In early spring, a peduncle with buds appears. They have small white stripes and an elongated shape. Inflorescences exude a slight odor.

Aloe flowering period

The dormant period for the plant begins in mid-October and lasts until February. There is practically no need to take care of the plant. Watering is reduced to once every 3 weeks. The air temperature should be no more than 10 degrees Celsius.

Reproduction of variegated aloe

Aloe variegated can reproduce both by cuttings and by seeds. The grower chooses the most suitable breeding method individually.

Cuttings

This method of propagation of aloe is often used. Procedure:

• With a blade pretreated with a manganese solution, it is necessary to cut off the root shoot.
• Charcoal is sprinkled on the cut points to reduce the risk of infection of an adult bush.
• Cuttings are laid out on a soft cloth and wrapped for several days.
• Drainage is laid at the bottom of the pot, after which the nutrient mixture is placed.
• Prepared cuttings are placed in Kornevin for several hours.
• The planting material is buried 3-4 cm in the ground and tied to a small temporary support.
• Watered 6 days after planting.
• After the roots appear, the plant is transplanted to a permanent place.

Plant propagation using cuttings

Often, aloe propagation is carried out by root processes. The use of such planting material accelerates the process of plant adaptation to a new place.

Growing from seeds

Using the seed method is a more laborious process, however, it also allows you to obtain high-quality planting material. Algorithm of actions:

• When the plant has faded, carefully collect the seeds from the seed pods.
• Prepare a light manganese solution and soak the planting material in it for 10 minutes.
• Pour soil into the prepared container and pour water over it.
• Spread the seeds on the ground and press down easily. Close the container on top with plastic wrap and place it on the windowsill.
• Water every 4-5 days.
• After the leaves have formed, transplant the seedlings into a pot.

For the plant to grow quickly, the room temperature must be at least 22 degrees Celsius.

Seed breeding method

Growing problems, diseases and pests

The plant is rarely exposed to diseases, but sometimes harmful insects attack the aloe. Frequent flower pests:

• The scale insects are small insects, when they appear on the stem and leaves, small brown seals are formed. To eliminate the problem, it is necessary to rinse each sheet using a solution of laundry soap.
• Spider mite - this pest can be noticed by the formation of cobwebs on the leaves. The plant becomes weak and can dry out completely. It is recommended to wipe the affected areas with an alcohol solution.

With improper care, problems often arise that slow down the growth of a flower:

• The root collar rots - such a problem manifests itself with frequent watering. To eliminate it, it is necessary to transplant the crop and reduce the frequency of watering.
• The flower does not grow - most often the clay soil is the cause of the problem. The plant should be transplanted into a new substrate with the addition of sand.
• Yellow leaves are a sign of excess fertilization. To solve the problem, the frequency of feeding is reduced to once every 3-4 months.

It doesn't take much effort to grow tiger aloe. The culture is undemanding to water and does not need pruning. Aloe leaves have medicinal properties and are often used for cosmetic purposes and folk recipes.