Help with an aloe plant

[judith_arquette]

Does anyone here have experience growing aloe plants? I moved mine outside so it could get more sun but I fear it's gotten too much too soon. I'm hoping it will recover but I'd appreciate any input because it's my first and I know next to nothing abt them

[stonedragonfarms]

I can't tell what the problem might be from this photo; it looks out of focus and as though the plant is covered in water droplets. So long as you moved it to an area that was not full on sun to acclimate, you should not have any problem with it outdoors, provided that you move it in before temps drop into the low 30s. Once it is acclimated to outdoors, you can gradually move it into more and more sun; in NY I would wager that it could take full sun once acclimated; the foliage will turn bronze/reddish and the little spikes/rasps on the leaves will become more pronounced. It is important that the plant have great drainage and that the media in which it is potted be allowed to dry some before rewatering. You may consider top-dressing the media that is in the pot with crushed lava rock or calcined clay--if the top dressing is moist when you turn a bit of it over, don't water the plant. Please let us know if you need more info, I would guess that the others will chime in as well. Good growing,
Adam

[WhiteRabbit]

Outside of severe over-watering, aloes are hard to kill I don't know if issues you are having are from too much sun too fast, but unless it has been way over-watered, it should survive.

I would do as Adam has suggested, and move it to a shadier spot.

[judith_arquette]

Thanks so much for your replies. I'm going to take it back inside and put it back where it was because it's been doing really well there since I got it abt 8 months ago. It's grown a lot and always had nice firm leaves. I really don't know why I thought I needed to mess with a good thing in the first place. I just hope I haven't done too much harm.
Hopefully this is a better pic. The top "leaf" has turned very pale and gotten droopy. The next one down is much redder than before and the bottom one just looks plain unhealthy.

[stonedragonfarms]

It looks to me like it's gotten too cold; I've never managed to fry aloe vera (and I left mine in the gh with no shade cloth for about a month last summer...no water either)

[judith_arquette]

That could very well be the issue. Thanks. It's back inside and staying there.

[tarev]

I have killed an aloe, more due to the cold, not due to the sun. But if the plant has been growing indoors then suddenly brought outdoors without acclimating first, it is bound to get sunburn.

But if it were my plant, I will place it outdoors but in part shade for awhile, to be able to adjust. They love the outdoors during the warm season.

And if you notice, those leaves, they are growing longer and longer indoors, because it is trying to get more light.

[judith_arquette]

Originally Posted by tarev

I have killed an aloe, more due to the cold, not due to the sun. But if the plant has been growing indoors then suddenly brought outdoors without acclimating first, it is bound to get sunburn.

But if it were my plant, I will place it outdoors but in part shade for awhile, to be able to adjust. They love the outdoors during the warm season.

And if you notice, those leaves, they are growing longer and longer indoors, because it is trying to get more light.

I'm going to try ur advice, thanks!

[judith_arquette]

I think you were right, it was the cold. I took your advice and Except for a few other nights when it got chilly it's been outside. I lost a few leaves but am being rewarded with new growth! Thanks!!!

[tarev]

Glad your plant is recovering!! Remember too, just to water the root zone heavily once a week or so during this warmer days. Watering the leaves during the day does not help it, its stomates are closed, that is why they are good drought tolerant plants, saving up whatever moisture it has gathered at night.