Sunburned Aloe not improving

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hello everyone,

I'm still relatively new to the world of plants so I'm learning the ropes so to speak. My oldest plant, an aloe vera, is about 3-4 years old. My grandmother gave it to me as a pup from her massive aloe. Now it's much larger, approximately 12 inches in diameter from tip to tip.

Recently I noticed that the tips of a few of the lower leaves were turning brown and looked like they had been pinched. I thought I wasn't watering enough so I began watering twice a week. That didn't improve my situation and more of the tips were turning brown. I thought it may have gotten root rot with all the extra water so upgraded the aloe from a 6 inch grower pot to an 8 inch terra cotta pot. I used MiracleGro Cacti, Palm and Succulent potting mix fast draining formula. I later looked online and my aloe looked similar to the ones that had been sunburned.

I live in zone 10b and the aloe stays in my screened-in patio. I had recently moved the aloe off the patio table to the edge of the screen on the floor. At the table it received direct sun from 7:45 to 10:00 and bright indirect light the rest of the day. At the new spot next to the screen, it received direct sun from 8:15 to 11:45 and brighter indirect light the rest of the day. I have since discarded that table so I moved it close to the original spot but on the floor. The aloe is not improving, it's getting worse. Although it's not too bad, the new growth closest to the center is still a solid plump green, the rest of the plant doesn't look great: tips look slightly yellow/brown and like the juice has been removed but the rest of the leaf is more of a pale green. What more should I do?

Featured Answer

Crenda 10A SW FL

9 years ago

I use the same mix that Rina uses. I need to give them the best drainage possible to make it through my wet summers. My plants are outside in full sun all year long. Unless you had a sudden change in the light (tree cut down, moved to sunnier spot) I don't think sunburn would be your problem. But . . . a picture will help.

These 2 plants are in 6 and 8 inch containers. The one on the right got more evening sun and is in the 50/50 potting mix. Both plant show some crispiness of the end of the leaves, primarily the older leaves.

How did the roots look when you repotted? This is the plant on the left. The gritty mix comes off the roots quite nicely. I like that. You can see the roots are thick and healthy.

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Comments (7)

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
9 years ago
You should post a photo...

I am just guessing, but it could be thirsty if the soil contains lots of peat that became hydrophobic. Unfortunately, many C&S soils are not as well draining as advertised, and have too much peat in them.
User
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I've been doing some reading and I saw that many people here recommend to use a 1:1 mix of Succulent soil and perlite/vermiculite. Should I do that? Also, I used a paper towel to line the bottom of the pot to keep the soil from coming out out the drainage hole. Is that fine? I'll try to get some pictures later today.
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Daniel

Paper towel will disintegrate very fast. you'll be better off to use a piece of mosquito screen or plastic canvass mesh sold in craft stores for needlepointing, or wallpaper mesh tape, or even mesh from some bagged vegetables (but that has usually big hole). In a pinch, paper coffee filter will last longer than paper towel.

Cutting C&S soil with perlite (not vermiculite - do not use that for succulents as it absorb too much water and degrades faster and it will also compress) is very good idea for all succulents. Mix soil and perlite (best is sifted or at least rinsed) 1:1, or use bit more perlite. Pumice, if available, is great to use instead of perlite. Many of us make more gritty, inorganic mix; I use only grit + perlite + smaller amount of turface.
Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)
9 years ago
Put pot pan underneath your pot to prevent soil and water from draining out everywhere, but some going into this pan is natural. Just a little water should come out, if you have a lot, you are overwatering. Without a picture, it's tough to tell what is going on but it sounds like too much water. I just about killed my aloe when the pot was flooded with rain water (see other Aloe thread in this sub-forum) and the tips shriveled and the leaves turned brown. It has since recovered and turned a nice green.
User
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the replies. I was able to get some photos yesterday but I it's not letting me upload them. I'll try again later. When I repotted there were a small number of roots given the size of the plant. But the roots were healthy; they were all firm and looked like the ones in the photo above, just much less. I'm planning on repotting this weekend but I'll use a better draining mix (1:1 succulent soil and perlite or pumice if I can find some) and I'll bring it back to a 6 inch terra cotta pot. I will do more research on the inorganic mix. Thanks.
User
Original Author
9 years ago
Update: here are the photos.