Aloe Vera suffers transplant shock when its roots are exposed to the air for too long or are damaged during the process. It will also show similar signs if you forget to water it after repotting.
To recover the Aloe from transplant shock, you should water the plant immediately and replenish the soil with a fresh layer of potting mix. Providing enough sunlight is also essential to revive your plant from this situation.
In the following guide, you will learn more about this process. So, let's begin!
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What Is An Aloe Vera Transplant Shock?
As mentioned briefly above, the Aloe Vera transplant shock is nothing but a plant's reaction to a sudden change in its surroundings. When you repot the plant into a new pot, you essentially provide a new environment to it.
Once you make some changes to the plant's existing conditions, it may take a week or two to acclimatize with the new place and surroundings. However, in some cases, the plant will experience shock due to root damage, new soil, pot size, and environmental conditions.
This happens with almost any plant, not just Aloe Vera. So, if you have recently transplanted your Aloe plant, it's crucial to keep an eye on it and see if it's showing any signs of transplant shock.
Transplant Shock Signs In Aloe Vera
These are some peculiar signs that show that your Aloe is in transplant shock:
- Droopy Leaves
- Yellow Leaves
- Wilting
- Stunted Growth
If you see these early signs after the repotting or transplanting process, your plant is likely experiencing this issue.
In the next section, let's see how you can fix this problem entirely.
How To Recover Your Aloe Vera From Transplant Shock
Here are the steps you need to follow -
1. Inspect The Droopy And Damaged Leaves
Occasionally, the droopy leaves are not a sign of transplant shock. They may indicate other problems such as overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiency. So, examine the leaves and see if they are soft or mushy. If they are, it's probably due to overwatering!
On the other hand, if the leaves are dry and crispy, it's most likely due to underwatering.
You can fix these issues by changing the watering schedule. Suppose the leaves are limp and mushy; water the plant less often. Similarly, increase the watering frequency if the leaves look dry and not too plump.
2. Add More Soil To The Pot
This should only be done if the roots of your Aloe plant are exposed. If the roots are not buried deep enough in the pot, it can cause transplant shock. When the roots of newly transplanted plants are not in deep soil cover, they tend to dry out quickly, which can kill the plant.
To avoid this issue, add more soil to the pot. It will help cover the roots and also stabilize the plant in the pot. Besides, the plant will also receive more nutrients to grow further.
Aloe Vera does better in well-draining soil, as cited in the research study published by the Golan Research Institute, University of Haifa, Qazrin, Israel. So, choose a similar potting mix with good nutrient content.
3. Water The Plant
If you feel the problem is not due to the above conditions and is, in fact, transplant shock, you need to water the plant immediately.
Water the plant deeply so that the roots can absorb all the moisture. This will help the plant recover from the shock and start growing again.
It's a simple trick but works effectively when used correctly.
4. Adjust The Light Conditions
Aloe Vera needs bright light throughout the day. If it doesn't obtain adequate sunlight, you will see its effects on the leaves and the plant's overall appearance.
The transplanted Aloe usually experiences stress, requiring additional resources to rebound quickly. Moreover, it can only generate more resources through quicker food production. To do this, you will have to provide sufficient sunlight to your Aloe plant. Please do not keep it in the direct sun at this stage.
Keep it in bright sunlight for 4-6 hours during recovery. Later, move it to a different place, depending on how your plant reacts to sunlight and surroundings.
5. Add Mulch To The Pot
Mulching can be an effective strategy to reduce transplant shock in your Aloe plant.
When you add mulch to the base of the plant, it covers the topsoil and prevents moisture from evaporating. As a result, the roots remain cool for a long time and produce food efficiently.
For mulching, you can use wood chips, dried leaves, peat moss, or straw. All these elements are beneficial as mulch for the houseplants like Aloe Vera. Nonetheless, avoid a dense layer of mulch in the pot. It will not help greatly in resurrecting your plant from repotting stress.
Important - If you are mulching the plant, adjust the watering frequency. Do not overwater the plant.
Tips To Avoid Transplant Shock In Aloe Plants
Did you know you can avoid transplant shock in your Aloe plant? Yes, it's quite possible!
Here are some quick tips to help you understand more about it -
- Do not transplant or move your Aloe vera plant too often.
- Keep an eye on the roots while removing the plant from the pot.
- Trim off any damaged or dead roots from the plant.
- Water the plant immediately after repotting.
- Fertilize the plant with some compost or any other natural fertilizer.
- Use Epsom salt to minimize the transplant shock.
- Do not expose the plant to direct sunlight right after transplanting.
- Keep the plant in a humid environment for some time.
Follow these suggestions, and I'm sure you don't have to deal with this issue in the future.
How To Transplant Aloe Vera Plant
You can check out the following video if you are still worried about this process.
Now, let's take a look at the FAQs below.
FAQs
Yes, it does transplant well, especially if you follow the proper method to remove the plant from its existing planter and put it safely in the new one.
Both these steps are paramount and need to be followed meticulously. Otherwise, you can expect some issues later on.
Yes, you must water your Aloe Vera plant after transplanting it.
It might be due to transplant shock, lack of water, or too much sunlight. You will need to find out the reason and address it accordingly.
Yes, you can replant Aloe vera without roots. However, it's not recommended as the plant will have difficulty growing back.
Not really. Aloe plants can grow well in shallow pots. If you want, you can transplant them into a deep pot. Remember that it's an invasive plant that can quickly take over the pot.
Over To You
Understanding transplant shock is the key to preventing it. Now that you know what transplant shock is and how to deal with it, I hope you will find it easier to take care of your Aloe plants.
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Feel free to ask them in the comments below. I will do my best to help you out. Please share this guide with your friends and family if you found it helpful.
Reference - Missouri Botanical Garden
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