Tips on growing
Spiral Aloe seeds
Getting started -- You may plant them in a communal pot, since they will be transplanted a few months later. Use a container about 4 inches (10 cm) wide, with drainage holes. Soil -- Use a very fast-draining mix. A typical soil mix for germinating is 1 part potting soil to 2 part perlite (use small or medium size perlite, not large chunks). Don't add lime to the mix. Don't compress the soil. Place the seeds on the dry soil and cover with a very thin layer of soil - just enough to cover them. Add water until the soil is evenly moist, but not fully saturated. Keep it this moist until after they sprout. The optimal germination temperature is
between 55 and 77° F (13-25°C) during the day. A little cooler at night is ok. Avoid
letting them get above 79° F (26°C). I recommend placing a
minimum/maximum thermometer If you enclose the pot in a plastic container to maintain moisture, leave it open slightly for fresh air to enter. You may need to drip some water on the surface periodically to keep the seeds moist. Keep them in bright light out of direct sun. An LED lamp placed 4 inches (10 cm) away provides the right amount of light (See: "Growing indoors with LED lights"). The seeds usually sprout within about 1 to 2 months. Continue giving bright light. Some direct sun is fine if it's weak sun. Avoid strong sun the first few months. Continue keeping the soil moist, but not saturated. Once the seedlings sprout, give a small amount of dilute (1/8 strength) liquid fertilizer. Hydroponic fertilizer is ideal for young seedlings, since it is easily absorbed and contains all essential nutrients. Repeat this every 2 week. Once they are about 3 months old, gently dig them up and repot them into containers about 5 inches (12 cm) wide. 2-3 weeks after repotting it, you may give it some direct sun. Increase the sun a little each week, watching for possible burning. Please see the tips on growing older plants here. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Happy gardening! - Jeff Strange Wonderful Things
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near the pot, especially if using a heating mat.