Frequently Asked Questions About Aloe Vera Farming

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions About Aloe Vera Farming:

You can find frequently asked questions about Aloe Vera Farming and Planting.

  1. Where are Aloe plants from?

Aloe Vera plant is considered a native of the South-West Arabian peninsula but is known to have spread to neighboring countries and regions. Sometimes it is also mentioned that it is found wild in regions with a tropical climate.

  1. What is the history of Aloe Vera and when was it first used?

Aloe Vera as a medicinal plant was believed to have been used in the 16th century by medical healers of Sumer in their clay tablets. It has been observed that during 4000 BC, Aloe Vera drawings were found on the temple walls in the tombs of the Pharaohs.

  1. Is Aloe Vera plant poisonous?

The yellow-colored juice just below the outer skin of Aloe Vera contains a chemical called aloin and this latex is known to be possibly unsafe for use either externally or internally. The gel of Aloe Vera is not toxic in nature, but this latex when consumed can cause side effects like diarrhea, stomach pain, etc. and when applied to the skin may cause irritation and rashes.

  1. How long does it take to grow Aloe Vera plant?

Aloe Vera in the kitchen garden can start growing in 2 to 3 months time, but if it is being cultivated on a commercial scale, then the minimum time to harvest the leaves of the Aloe Vera plant is 2 years.

  1. How can you grow Aloe Vera?

Aloe plants produce offshoots at the base which can be used to grow more Aloe Vera plants. An offshoot with actively growing leaves can be chosen and carefully removed to replant it into another area.

  1. Can you grow Aloe Vera from seed?

Yes, Aloe Vera can be grown from seeds for your garden, but on a commercial level, this method is not advisable because Aloe Vera seeds are produced only when the plants flower and it takes more than four or five years to produce reliable seeds. For the garden, peat and sand mixed with the soil make a well-drained medium for sowing the seeds. The soil should be lightly dampened before spreading the seeds with 1-inch spacing. Plastic sheets can be covered over the pots to maintain humidity and facilitate germination.

  1. What is the habitat of the Aloe plant?

Aloe Vera plants grow and thrive in tropical and subtropical regions. It is widely distributed over arid and semi-arid zones of the world. The ideal temperature for growing Aloe Vera is between 13-27ËšC.

  1. Where Aloe Vera is found in India?

Aloe Vera plants are found all over India but are exclusively grown in south India, Mumbai, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

Aloe Vera Plantation.
Aloe Vera Plantation.
  1. Where does Aloe Vera grow best or what is the best soil for Aloe Vera plants?

Aloe Vera grows best on loamy, light, coastal sandy, and black cotton soils. It needs soil with a pH of 7 to 8.5. Since it is a succulent plant, it can grow in dry conditions as well.

  1. How profitable is cultivating Aloe Vera?

On a commercial scale when Aloe Vera is farmed on 5 acres of land, then the minimum profit expected could be around 6 lakhs. More detailed information would be available at Aloe Vera Farming Project Report.

  1. How many days can we store Aloe Vera gel?

Unprocessed Aloe Vera gel can be stored for a week and if refrigerated it can be stored for about a month. The processed gel, i.e. with added preservatives can be stored for 6 months.

  1. Do Aloe leaves grow back?

The leaf that is removed from the plant will never re-grow, but there is a possibility that new leaves grow beside the cut areas. If a leaf is cut in half it doesn’t grow back. The frequency of leaf growth depends on available conditions. Not too many leaves should be removed from the Aloe Vera plant otherwise the plant may die.

  1. How often does Aloe Vera need watering?

Aloe Vera plants need to be watered deeply, but care should be taken so that the soil is allowed to dry before the next watering session. Watering once in three weeks is a better option if you have Aloe Vera in your kitchen garden. For commercial cultivation of Aloe Vera, 4 to 6 irrigation cycles should be sufficient during the entire growing process, i.e. a plant requires 150 ml of water per month so as to produce a leaf of 1 kg weight.

  1. Can you replant a broken Aloe leaf?

Perhaps yes, a broken leaf can be used to grow a new Aloe Vera plant. The broken leaf has to be dried for about two days under the shade and could be plonked into the soil. It starts forming roots in about a month. Too much watering should be avoided.

  1. Do Aloe plants need direct sunlight?

Aloe plants grow wild in tropical and subtropical weather conditions, so it is obvious thing that they need plenty of sunlight for good growth. If someone is trying to grow the plant indoors then it is advisable to provide indirect sunlight to the plants.

Aloe Vera Plant.
Aloe Vera Plant.
  1. Why are the tips of my Aloe plant turning brown?

Aloe Vera plants may turn brown if there is a sudden change in temperatures, i.e. if they get exposed to very bright sunlight then they may be sunburnt. Too much water can also cause the plant to turn brown; improper lighting, unsuitable soil, and pests can all cause the leaves of the plant to turn brown.

  1. Why are the tips of my Aloe plant turning yellow?

The yellowing of the leaves is an indication that the plant needs water and sunlight. The same symptoms are observed when the plant is overwatered. So, it is extremely important to check the conditions around the plant and then take suitable action.

  1. Why is an Aloe Vera plant turning red?

Red or brown or reddish-brown coloration in the plant leaves is a result of too much sun and too much water. When these changes in the leaves are observed, it is advisable to quickly check the surroundings and adjust them immediately.

  1. How do you harvest Aloe Vera?

Mature plants have to be chosen for harvest and a rosy leaf tip is an indication of a healthy and fully grown leaf. Thick and smooth leaves are cut at an angle close to the base with a sharp knife.

  1. Do Aloe Vera plants have flowers?

Absolutely yes, Aloe Vera plants bloom after about 4 years from planting. The plant develops a stiff flower stalk on which tubular yellow and orange flowers bloom. Generally, this flowering pattern is not observed in Aloe plants in the kitchen garden. On a commercial cultivation farm, the bloom is prominent due to proper management practices.

  1. How do you get an Aloe plant to bloom?

There are multiple things that need to be followed for helping the Aloe Vera plants to bloom. They should receive good and adequate sunlight, proper draining soil, fertilizers, and good management for easy and fast flowering.

  1. How do you transplant an Aloe Vera plant?

The Aloe plant can be transplanted carefully by removing the offshoots from the existing plant and replanting these offshoots into a new place. More details about propagation and planting can be found at Aloe Vera Farming.

  1. Can you put an Aloe Vera plant outside?

Aloe Vera is considered a tropical plant and can be grown anywhere depending on the climatic conditions of the area. If someone lives in a winter-dominated country, then growing Aloe Vera outside is not recommended rather they can grow Aloe Vera in containers, and placing the containers in a sunny location could be helpful. For people in the warmer climatic zones can grow a variety of Aloe Vera plants outdoors because these plants need sufficient bright sunlight.

Aloe Vera Farming Outdoors.
Aloe Vera Farming Outdoors.
  1. Is Aloe Vera plant a cactus or succulent?

Though Aloe Vera grows well in dry conditions they are not a cactus variety rather they are succulents. Aloe Vera plants store water in their leaves and tend to be fleshy and thick. Also, another big advantage of succulent plants is that they propagate very easily just like Aloe Vera.

  1. Can you prune a succulent?

Yes, when the container or area gets overcrowded or when something unusual is observed with the leaves like disease or pests then the succulent can be pruned depending on the type of problem. Sometimes pruning helps in the healthy growth of the plant. Pruning should be done in the early spring season. If these pruned cuttings are not diseased, then they can be used to grow new plants.

  1. What makes Aloe plants soft?

When Aloe Vera plants get soft it indicates that they are getting rot. Improper sunlight must have been a cause for this condition. Sometimes too much watering can also destroy the plants. Even before the plants rot, they would show signs like a change in color of the leaves to brown, wilting, etc. Care at the initial stages of rot can revive the plant structure.

  1. How long do Aloe Vera plants live?

The life span of Aloe Vera is considered to be 12 years approximately under good management practices. During commercial cultivation, Aloe plants can become useful from the 2nd year of planting up till 12 years.

Aloe Vera Life Span.
Aloe Vera Life Span.
  1. What causes black spots on Aloe Vera plants?

The black spots on Aloe Vera leaves indicate rust caused by Alternaria spp, which is a commonly occurring disease due to improper growing conditions. Proper sunlight and timely treatment can help control this problem. It is highly important to remove the diseased leaves initially after detecting the problem so as to arrest the spread of infection.

  1. How many Aloe plants can be accommodated in one-acre land?

Depending on the spacing between the plants and row spacing, it is estimated that one acre of land can accommodate 5000 Aloe Vera plants if the spacing between pants is 31 inches and the row spacing is 36 inches. Learn more about planting at Aloe Vera Farming.

  1. What is the annual yield of Aloe Vera plants from 1 acre of land?

On average, one acre of land is estimated to produce 15 tonnes of Aloe Vera leaves in the second year of planting, but as the plant ages, it is expected to yield more leaves per plant.

  1. How is the gel extracted from Aloe leaves?

This is the most important post-harvesting management practice after producing Aloe Vera, for commercial produce, there is a processing plant installed to carry out the extraction process automatically. 

Read this: Growing Aloe Vera In Containers.

  1.  What is the basic cost of the Aloe Vera processing plant?

Depending on the size, quality, supplier, and capacity of the machinery it may range between 1.25 lakh to 5 lakhs. It is important to understand the mechanism of the machinery before purchasing it or deploying it.

  1. Frequently Asked Questions about Aloe Vera Farming – Where can you buy Aloe Vera offshoots?

Aloe Vera offshoot for a home garden can be brought from a nearby nursery, whereas for commercial plantations could be brought from certified suppliers for planting materials or can be obtained from government agricultural offices in that particular area. Some suppliers for Aloe Vera planting material are Exflair Traders Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, etc.

  1. Frequently Asked Questions about Aloe Vera Farming – What is the price of a single offshoot?

The price of an offshoot as a planting material may be charged around Rs 8 to Rs 20 per offshoot.

  1. Frequently Asked Questions about Aloe Vera Farming – What is the sale price of Aloe Vera leaves?

Depending on the quality and variety being sold, the price of 1 kg of Aloe Vera leaves costs around Rs 4 to Rs 75.

  1. Frequently Asked Questions about Aloe Vera Farming – Where can you sell your Aloe Vera plant produce?

If somebody is planning to have a commercial farm in Aloe Vera then it is recommended to look for some local organization to purchase your produce else one can take help from the government to sell them at the local market. Another upcoming way to sell the produce is to market the products online. It is important to have a deal with the client for a proper sale of produce. Aloe Vera producers can look for firms like Ayurveda, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, health care, etc. for selling their produce.

  1. Can Aloe Vera be grown hydroponically?

Yes, Aloe Vera can be propagated and grown hydroponically by providing required supplements. Proper growing substrates, nutrient solutions, equipment, light, and other atmospheric conditions should all be considered very carefully for growing Aloe Vera.

  1. How do you fertilize Aloe Vera plants? 

Like any plant, Aloe Vera also needs fertilizers to have a boost in its growth. Compost manure at the time of planting is necessary, but in addition to it, extra nitrogen in the soil can help the plants produce good quality and quantity of leaves. For large farms, the fertilizing process can be read at Aloe Vera Cultivation.

  1. How many types of Aloe Vera plants are there?

It is known that the Aloe Vera plant has more than 200 different species found all around the world, but in India depends on the climate, only certain varieties are cultivated.  From the entire list of species, only about 7 or 10 varieties are commonly cultivated in India.

  1. What is the investment for a basic Aloe Vera farm?

The minimum investment may depend largely on the area of cultivation and the availability of raw materials. For 2 to 5 acre land, the minimum investment during the start of business would be around 6 to 7 lakhs. It is important to know that the Aloe Vera plants do not produce during the first year of farming rather yield can be expected only after 2 years from planting the crops.

Read this: Fenugreek Cultivation.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you for sharing your valuable knowledge. It is truly godly. I will pass this wisdom on to my customers and students in my selling and teaching activities. The information is very comprehensive, and applicable.

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