My big, rescued, battered plant

[mattalexx]

http://alexandersitedesign.com/_misc/aloe/

My friend gave me a mature aloe plant the other day. It was sitting inside of his house and he hadn't watered it in years which surprised me considering its vibrant color. I know these plants are tough with low-moisture climates but I know they get water at least a few times in the span of years. As you can see in the photos, there is a big trunk in the corner of the pot. It's bent over like an old man. I tried to lift it up but stopped when branches started to fall off.

Is there any way to clean this plant up a bit? It has beautiful color but It's pretty mangled. I think my friend's cats slept in the plant or something. Can I re pot it? Should I make an attempt to clean out some of the dead pieces? Can I use a splint to straighten up the momma tree in the corner?

[MrAloeVera]

Ooooh! That plant needs some immediate help!

Yes, indeed, aloe vera plants last long without water.

Now, make sure you repot it in a wide and deep pot. The ideal soil for aloe vera is fat soil mixed with sand. You have new plants showing up.

It's definitely too crowded. Separate the big trunk from the rest and remove the dead/damaged leafs from it. If you want to use a splint make sure you use to stabilize the roots. The branches need to regain their strength on their own.

Put it somewhere facing the East so it gets as much sun as possible and preferably next to a window so it can get fresh air as much as possible.

And ofcourse, don't forget to talk to it!

http://alexandersitedesign.com/_misc/aloe/

My friend gave me a mature aloe plant the other day. It was sitting inside of his house and he hadn't watered it in years which surprised me considering its vibrant color. I know these plants are tough with low-moisture climates but I know they get water at least a few times in the span of years. As you can see in the photos, there is a big trunk in the corner of the pot. It's bent over like an old man. I tried to lift it up but stopped when branches started to fall off.

Is there any way to clean this plant up a bit? It has beautiful color but It's pretty mangled. I think my friend's cats slept in the plant or something. Can I re pot it? Should I make an attempt to clean out some of the dead pieces? Can I use a splint to straighten up the momma tree in the corner?

[mattalexx]

The ideal soil for aloe vera is fat soil mixed with sand.

What do you mean when you say "fat soil"? Nutrient rich? MiracleGrow potting soil from Walmart will do?

It's definitely too crowded. Separate the big trunk from the rest and remove the dead/damaged leafs from it.

Put mamma trunk in her own pot, you mean?

If you want to use a splint make sure you use to stabilize the roots.

What do I do to stabilize roots?

Put it somewhere facing the East so it gets as much sun as possible and preferably next to a window so it can get fresh air as much as possible.

Wow, I never knew fresh air was a concern to any plant. I thought sun, water and CO2 were its only concerns.

And ofcourse, don't forget to talk to it!

Check.

[MrAloeVera]

What do you mean when you say "fat soil"? Nutrient rich? MiracleGrow potting soil from Walmart will do?

By fat soil I mean the regular "dark" prairie soil. Just buy regular soil and mix it with sand. But not beach sand, make sure it is sand from a river.

Put mamma trunk in her own pot, you mean?

Yup, that's it.

What do I do to stabilize roots?

Bury the splint deep in the pot and tightly tie only the lower part of the trunk.

Good luck with your plant, mattalexx! Let us know how it goes and make sure you drop by here as often as possible.