Saving Mom's Aloe Vera

[JohnAndSancho]

My grandmother was a gardener. In their old house in the city, my grandfather built her a greenhouse and she grew and sold cactii and flowers - I don't remember what all she grew, but she was well known for her African Violets. When they moved out here, she planted probably 20 Crepe Myrtles, she always had multiple flowerbeds going, etc. 

 

I love my mom. My mom is not a gardener. Anyway, she's had this Aloe Vera and if you've read any of my posts you know we have an infestation of cats. This aloe was in a HUGE terracotta pot and had been turned into a cat toilet. I'm waiting on a prescription to be called in, so what the hell. Let's go dump this and see what's what. 

 

I don't know much about Aloes other than I bought some expensive ones and killed a couple and left a couple behind in TX, and I kick myself in the ass for it daily. Anyway, I was shocked that this thing is still just a stem. It was way larger and way prettier than this a year ago, so I expected it to have - you know, roots. The pot also had a plug in the bottom of it so it's never been draining. 

 

No before picture because of oh my lord so much cat poop, but here's an aloe twig that's now living in a Popeyes cup in my bathroom window. Let's see if I can save it. I also just got a free huge terracotta pot and saucer as soon as I disinfect the holy hell out of it. 

[JohnAndSancho]

It's recovering. It seems to feel heavier and that's my super scientific way of thinking a plant is rooting. It's also thrown a pup that's already got 3 leaves on it. It's still a far cry from what it was, but it's alive. Maybe this is me making up for all the plants I've killed? 

[happypalms]

John don’t overwater it. They are easy to grow and desert proof dry tolerant. And make a wonderful skin moisturiser so all the girls will say oh have you seen how handsome John is when he’s walking sancho to the coffee shop. And if you burn your skin while sunbathing at your local beach it’s great for that as well while you’re trying to get a tan for all those girls. You can also get a variety that you put in a jug of water and drink it after a hot day at the beach that will impress all the hippie girls saying how alternate is John he is onto it.😄

[JohnAndSancho]

20 minutes ago, happypalms said:

John don’t overwater it. They are easy to grow and desert proof dry tolerant. And make a wonderful skin moisturiser so all the girls will say oh have you seen how handsome John is when he’s walking sancho to the coffee shop. And if you burn your skin while sunbathing at your local beach it’s great for that as well while you’re trying to get a tan for all those girls. You can also get a variety that you put in a jug of water and drink it after a hot day at the beach that will impress all the hippie girls saying how alternate is John he is onto it.😄

Oh I watered it when I reported it into this fancy Popeyes Chicken cup but that's it. And it's in the same chunky mix that I use for my palms (pumice, coco chunks, compost) which is much better than the crap potting soil it's been in. It's doing much better now and nobody has pooped in it since I moved it. 

 

I used to buy the aloe vera drinks a lot but I can't have them anymore because of the sugar. I miss them - so sweet and refreshing, and you're right. It's great for the skin and sunburns. But Sancho isn't a coffee drinker, I used to take him to the taco shops and he'd flirt with the lady cook to get chicken from her. The hibachi restaurant lady gives him steak. I haven't taken him anywhere but the vet in a while, he's got a bad knee now. He's getting old 😭 

[happypalms]

15 minutes ago, JohnAndSancho said:

Oh I watered it when I reported it into this fancy Popeyes Chicken cup but that's it. And it's in the same chunky mix that I use for my palms (pumice, coco chunks, compost) which is much better than the crap potting soil it's been in. It's doing much better now and nobody has pooped in it since I moved it. 

 

I used to buy the aloe vera drinks a lot but I can't have them anymore because of the sugar. I miss them - so sweet and refreshing, and you're right. It's great for the skin and sunburns. But Sancho isn't a coffee drinker, I used to take him to the taco shops and he'd flirt with the lady cook to get chicken from her. The hibachi restaurant lady gives him steak. I haven't taken him anywhere but the vet in a while, he's got a bad knee now. He's getting old 😭 

Just a standard good quality potting mix is fine but keep on the dry side. And now sancho is old you have the best chick magnet around put him in little baby pack and watch the girls come a running. The last time took my cat to vet I took her to the beach and told her she will see the biggest kitty litter tray ever she was amazed she couldn’t believe her eyes.
 

[JohnAndSancho]

2 minutes ago, happypalms said:

Just a standard good quality potting mix is fine but keep on the dry side. And now sancho is old you have the best chick magnet around put him in little baby pack and watch the girls come a running. The last time took my cat to vet I took her to the beach and told her she will see the biggest kitty litter tray ever she was amazed she couldn’t believe her eyes.
 

Sancho is a tough little bastard. I think the term the vet used is "stoic." He's hopping on 3 legs and still wagging his tail but now I have to put his food right in front of him and he's full of pain meds until we figure out if he can wear a knee brace or get surgery and I don't have the money for either.