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Aloe zambezi

mmedley1566-hRN2pZTmmedley1566-hRN2pZT Posts: 4
in Plants
Can I have some advice what to do with my plant please?

Posts

  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    @mmedley1566-hRN2pZT
    Sorry to see that your first thread has not had a response.
    I think we need a lot more information. 
    What do you feel is wrong with your plant? 
    I'm sure if you can elaborate further someone will be able to advise you.
  • mmedley1566-hRN2pZTmmedley1566-hRN2pZT Posts: 4
    When I bought the plant it was only about 3-4 inches tall. I would like to cut it, but not sure where to make the cuts to the plant to make smaller plants to pot. It is still very healthy as you can see
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I have had a quick look online in the absence of any other replies, but although there are lots of articles about propagating Aloe Vera, l can't find anything about Zambezi
    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/aloe-vera/aloe-plant-propagation.htm

    I haven't seen one that's "spread" like yours, they all seem to be neat rosettes. Bumping this up once more just in case any houseplant experts are around 🤞 :)

  • EustaceEustace Posts: 2,290
    I have a similar plant, but mine is quite small and has a few new plantlets emerging. Do you have any such in your pot? If so, you can pot them up to grow as separate plants. I didn't know the name until I saw your photo; here's a photo taken now:

    I have another similar one, but I thought it was a haworthia. It has more fleshy leaves.

    Oxford. The City of Dreaming Spires.
    And then my heart with pleasure fills,
    And dances with the daffodils (roses). Taking a bit of liberty with Wordsworth :)

  • mmedley1566-hRN2pZTmmedley1566-hRN2pZT Posts: 4
    Yes I think there are some smaller ones on my main plant, I did manage to remove a pup and plant it and it's doing well
  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    edited November 2023
    That looks a nice, healthy plant @mmedley1566-hRN2pZT.

    Not sure if you’ve already done it, but here’s what I would do:

    1) Cut carefully across the stem with a small knife to create two (or maybe three) cuttings — one with the crown of the plant, and the other(s) with a mid-section. Don’t worry too much if you damage a leaf or two here and there, but try to make the cuts clean and sharp.

    The remaining bottom half can stay in the existing pot; it will keep on living and may sprout new pups.



    2) For each cutting, remove the lowest leaves at the bottom part of the stem by tearing them off carefully (they should come off easily) until you have ~1.5 to 2cm of stem exposed. Here’s how I’ve done it for my Zambezi — maybe the stem is a bit on the short side; you could do it longer. Where the leaves have been plucked off are nodes where new roots can grow out.

    I think you can even grow new plants using the leaves (have a look online for how-to’s on leaf propagation of succulents) but I’ve never done that.



    3) Leave the cuttings in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight (hopefully not near a radiator) and allow the cut parts to dry and form a callus over, say, 3 or so days. I usually like to suspend them in small ramekins/jam jars so they get some air circulation.

    4) Pot up the cuttings in small clean, dry plastic pots that have lots of drainage holes, using compost for cacti and succulents. I usually add a bit of grit to the compost to really make it loose, and pre-poke a hole in the compost with a pencil or chopstick for the stem to go into.

    I also like to add a layer of decorative grit to top off the pot and keep the lowest leaves from getting splashed with bits of compost or constantly touching damp compost after watering.

    5) I tend not to water my Zambezi too much; you could leave them in the pots for a week or two to settle before you water them.

    Let us know how you get on!
    Cambridgeshire, UK
  • mmedley1566-hRN2pZTmmedley1566-hRN2pZT Posts: 4
    Thank you very much that is brilliant, yes I will do that and yes will let you know how I get on
  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    @mmedley1566-hRN2pZT. So glad you got an answer to your query and a good one.  :)
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