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Hi there. I have an Aloe Vera plant given to me by a friend. The… | Pests, diseases and problems | Planta community

Penny

Hi there. I have an Aloe Vera plant given to me by a friend. The original plant pot was cracked so I replanted it in a larger, though plastic, container. It was leaning so I supported it with rocks. In the last month or so I have found lots of Fungus Gnats that seem to have come from this plant. I did give it a hydrogen peroxide rinse which was supposed to get rid of eggs and insects. I also put Sticky Stix in the pot. My first problem is that the Gnats have lowered in number but I think there are still eggs hatching. Second is how do I get the poor plant to grow upright? PS. I don’t have a green thumb but still like plants.

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7 comments

  1. Jas

    I would try sprinkling some cinnamon on your soil if you have some, it has antifungal properties so it should help with the gnats! as for helping it grow upright, I would make sure you’re giving her enough light and make sure you’re letting the soil almost completely dry out before watering again. it looks like you might have some water in your drip tray so I’d make sure to dump that out once it drains as well. hope this helps!

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  2. c.cat

    you might want to repot it if it has fungus gnats - theyre a sign of the soil saying pretty moist, something that aloes, which are succulants, hate! i recommend using a chunky cactus/succulant mix with lots of perlite, and use a pot that is 1-2 inches bigger than the root ball! hope this helps!

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    • Penny

      I’ll have to get some of that succulant mix. I did repot it today with some ordinary potting soil. I’m worried that it took me quite awhile to get it done. I will find out in the morning if it makes it.

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  3. Penny

    Thank you for your help. I will give your suggestions a try.

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  4. Sunny

    Good advice above. I would add to remove the stones. They slow the evaporation of water from the soil. Try repotting into a clay pot which dries out the soil and is heavier which helps keeping it upright. Use a succulent mix as recommended above. This type of aloe vera grows like a vine. It sprawls.

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  5. Penny

    Thanks. I did remove the rocks because, besides preventing evaporation, they made the &))!$ pot waaay too heavy. LOL.

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  6. Penny

    I did repot my aloe Vera plant but now I am afraid to water it in case I do it too much. I also have it in front of an east window and took off some of her bent leaves. One of my spider plants met with a death by freezing because it wasn’t looking healthy and had the gnats. The other spider plants looks great. I just have to try and save my av plant before she gives up. Isn’t it funny how we all talk about our plants like they are human. Sorry, just had to say it. LOL

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