Howdy. Lots of folks have been wondering about cloning with aloe and I keep saying that I will make a thread dedicated to this, for quick easy reference.
Here we go. If your serious about organic gardening get you some aloe. I like growing plants and being able to cut and squeeze some fresh aloe goo whenever I want. Others prefer 200X aloe powder, either are fine.
How does it work?
aloe is useful for its saponin content as a "wetting agent" but its uses go far beyond that. aloe is loaded with enzymes, amino acids and secondary metabolites. this quote from buildasoil re: aloe is good "Remember! Aloe has Salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is involved in local and systemic plant defense responses against pathogens. It plays a role during stresses such as drought, chilling, heavy metal toxicity, heat, and osmotic stress. SA can volatilize and warn neighboring plants of attack." furthermore, aloe has a wide range of nutrients, and it also contains growth hormones and natural rooting compounds. Here's a coot quote re: aloe " Aloe Vera: contains Salicylic acid is a plant compound which has been used as a rooting agent for over 120 years in the nursery industry. This is the compound that's found in Willow trees which you might have run across in posts on rooting a cutting. This plant material is also very high in Saponins (30,000 ppm) and this adds another level of benefits."
I'm not gonna get into and discuss the ins and outs of rooting a cutting, there are several ways to get to the same end and it's a personal preference thing. I take cuttings trim off the bottom nodes, and make a clean 45 degree cut on the stem end of the cutting.
To clone with aloe, simply prepare a solution of aloe and water. I use a half inch leaf chunk of aloe and squeeze the goo into a glass of clean water, stir well with a fork. Or use 200X powder per instructions.
Soak cutting(s) in aloe/water solution for a half day or so then they are ready. You can put them in soil, rapid rooter plugs, aero/bubble cloner... How ever you do it. I currently use a DIY aerocloner with nothing but water in it.
Again, Im not PH adjusting the water, or adding ANYTHING to it.
Check daily for root development, shouldn't take longer than a week. Once roots have at least a little mass, plant into soil and go. Or if cloning in soil, you can just watch the clone and when you see some new growth, you know it rooted just fine.
I was gonna post pics but I have a better idea, let's have someone who has never done this before try it, and take and upload pictures of the process. It's easy, and I am around this thread to answer questions on cloning with aloe, ask away. Any volunteers?
Here we go. If your serious about organic gardening get you some aloe. I like growing plants and being able to cut and squeeze some fresh aloe goo whenever I want. Others prefer 200X aloe powder, either are fine.
How does it work?
aloe is useful for its saponin content as a "wetting agent" but its uses go far beyond that. aloe is loaded with enzymes, amino acids and secondary metabolites. this quote from buildasoil re: aloe is good "Remember! Aloe has Salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is involved in local and systemic plant defense responses against pathogens. It plays a role during stresses such as drought, chilling, heavy metal toxicity, heat, and osmotic stress. SA can volatilize and warn neighboring plants of attack." furthermore, aloe has a wide range of nutrients, and it also contains growth hormones and natural rooting compounds. Here's a coot quote re: aloe " Aloe Vera: contains Salicylic acid is a plant compound which has been used as a rooting agent for over 120 years in the nursery industry. This is the compound that's found in Willow trees which you might have run across in posts on rooting a cutting. This plant material is also very high in Saponins (30,000 ppm) and this adds another level of benefits."
I'm not gonna get into and discuss the ins and outs of rooting a cutting, there are several ways to get to the same end and it's a personal preference thing. I take cuttings trim off the bottom nodes, and make a clean 45 degree cut on the stem end of the cutting.
To clone with aloe, simply prepare a solution of aloe and water. I use a half inch leaf chunk of aloe and squeeze the goo into a glass of clean water, stir well with a fork. Or use 200X powder per instructions.
Soak cutting(s) in aloe/water solution for a half day or so then they are ready. You can put them in soil, rapid rooter plugs, aero/bubble cloner... How ever you do it. I currently use a DIY aerocloner with nothing but water in it.
Again, Im not PH adjusting the water, or adding ANYTHING to it.
Check daily for root development, shouldn't take longer than a week. Once roots have at least a little mass, plant into soil and go. Or if cloning in soil, you can just watch the clone and when you see some new growth, you know it rooted just fine.
I was gonna post pics but I have a better idea, let's have someone who has never done this before try it, and take and upload pictures of the process. It's easy, and I am around this thread to answer questions on cloning with aloe, ask away. Any volunteers?
