Aloe vera is known for its numerous benefits to the human body, but did you know that it can also provide many of those same benefits to plants? In this article, we will explore 6 miraculous uses of Aloe vera in gardening, including natural rooting agent methods, making organic pesticide with Aloe vera, and more.
Aloe vera is sometimes called “the plant of immortality” due to its properties to heal, soothe, and refresh. Aloe vera is rich in nutrients, enzymes, and antioxidants that offer numerous benefits to the human body. However, it also provides many of those same benefits to plants, including promoting healthy seed germination, protecting against harmful microbes and fungi, helping plants recover from transplant shock, and promoting faster rooting. Let’s dive into these benefits and more in the following sections.
Key Takeaways
- Aloe vera provides numerous benefits to plants, including promoting healthy seed germination, protecting against harmful microbes and fungi, helping plants recover from transplant shock, and promoting faster rooting.
- Aloe vera can be used to make organic pesticide for common garden pests.
- Aloe vera is a versatile and useful tool for any gardener looking to improve the health and growth of their plants.
Miraculous Uses of Aloe Vera in Gardening
Seed Germination
Aloe vera is a natural rooting agent that also promotes healthy seed germination and strong seedlings. By watering seeds and seedlings once a week with a solution of 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel per liter of water or 1 tablespoon per gallon, overall growth and yield can be improved.
Plant Immunity
Aloe vera gel is rich in over 75 beneficial nutrients and enzymes, including amino acids, antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and salicylic acid. High levels of acemannan and saponin found in aloe vera provide antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, helping to protect plants and confer resistance or immunity against certain harmful microbes, fungi, yeast, mold, blight, and other diseases. By watering plants with a solution of 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel per liter of water or a quarter cup per gallon of water once a month, overall growth and health of the plant can be boosted.
Transplant Shock
Certain compounds found in aloe vera help plants recover from transplant shock. A plant goes into transplant shock when it is repotted or transplanted from one place to another, causing the plant to look wilted and unhealthy. To help the plant recover, watering it with a solution of 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel per liter of water or a quarter cup per gallon of water at least once after repotting is recommended. This process can be repeated after 3-4 days if necessary.
Fertilizer
Aloe vera can be used as a soil drench or a foliar spray to provide beneficial nutrients directly to plants. To make a soil drench, fresh aloe vera leaves can be blended with water and added to plants once every 15 days. For a foliar spray, a solution of 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel per liter of water or a quarter cup per gallon of water can be sprayed on the underside of leaves in the evening to avoid quick evaporation in the presence of sunlight.
Natural Rooting Agent
The salicylic acid and other anti-bacterial and anti-fungal compounds found in aloe vera help promote rooting faster. Aloe vera can be used for rooting by dipping cuttings into fresh aloe vera gel and inserting them into soil, inserting the cutting into a small piece of aloe vera leaf and planting the whole thing into the soil, or using a piece of aloe vera for air layering to multiply favorite plants with a high success rate.
Pesticide
Aloe vera can be used as a natural pesticide to fight common garden pests such as aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies when combined with other natural agents. To make an organic pesticide, fresh aloe vera leaves can be blended with green chilies, onion, garlic, neem leaves, and turmeric powder or fresh turmeric rhizomes. The resulting paste can be sieved and mixed with water to create a solution that can be sprayed on affected plants. This process can be repeated every 4-5 days.
Natural Rooting Agent Methods
Dipping Cuttings into Fresh Aloe Vera Gel
One method of using aloe vera as a natural rooting agent is by dipping the cuttings into fresh aloe vera gel and then planting them into soil. Soaking the cuttings in the gel for a few hours can promote faster root development, and the success rate of rooting cuttings is high because aloe vera fights fungal rot.
Inserting the Cutting into Aloe Vera Leaf
Another method is to insert the cutting into a small piece of aloe vera leaf and then plant the whole thing into the soil. This achieves the same results as dipping the cuttings into fresh aloe vera gel.
Using Aloe Vera for Air Layering
A piece of aloe vera can also be used for air layering to multiply your favorite plants with a high success rate. Simply wrap a piece of aloe vera leaf around soil or toilet paper and tie the ends.
It is recommended to soak the cutting for a few hours into aloe vera gel before planting it into soil. This not only promotes faster root development but also increases the success rate of rooting cuttings due to aloe vera’s anti-fungal properties.
Using aloe vera for air layering is an effective way to multiply your favorite plants. By wrapping a piece of aloe vera leaf around soil or toilet paper and tying the ends, you can achieve a high success rate in propagating your plants.
Making Organic Pesticide with Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a versatile plant that offers numerous benefits to plants, including acting as a natural pesticide. However, to make it a potent organic pesticide that can fight common garden pests like aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies, you need to combine it with other natural ingredients from your kitchen. Here are the steps to make organic pesticide using Aloe vera leaves and five other ingredients:
- Take fresh Aloe vera leaves and cut them into small pieces. Drop approximately one bowl into your blender.
- Add four to five green chilies, one large onion, and one full garlic to the blender.
- If available, add one bowl of Neem leaves and two to three teaspoons of turmeric powder or fresh turmeric rhizomes.
- Add a cup of water and blend everything into a fine paste.
- Sieve the solution and collect the extract.
- Mix 100 ml of this extract with one litre of water or 300-400 ml of it per gallon.
- Spray the solution on the affected plants and repeat after 4 to 5 days.
By following these steps, you can create a powerful organic pesticide that will not only fight pests but also boost the overall growth and health of your plants. Happy gardening!