Aloe winter watering Topic is solved

[ketsui73]

Hello all
First post here !
I am fairy new to cacti & succulents (18 months) and I am starting to build a collection of dwarf (mainly hybrid) aloes. I have

blizzard (KG)
diego (KG)
Oik (KZ)
DZ (KZ)
Donnie (KG)
red dragon
Pink Blush (KG)
Viper (KG)
Cleopatra
brevifolia
aculeata
2x unknown hybrids

I keep them indoors in terracotta pots on a SE facing window sill. I had a major problem where I think I was over watering causing root loss and the plant leafs to curl . I think i have managed to turn it around this summer. I am just trying to decide how to approach watering in the winter. The advice seems pretty clear on cacti to stop about now and only water very infrequently (if the plants start to show signs of dehydration with indoor heating).
I am reading mixed things with aloes. Some saying treat as the cacti whilst others seem to cut back but to continue to water?
Is anyone keeping these plants who can share their experiences ..thanks in advance
Steve

[Brian]

Hi Steve and welcome to the forum.

I am eagerly waiting for authoritative replies to your excellent post.

Dare I even extend it to comments for haworthia and gasteria as it is in this “specialist section”?

[rodsmith]

I have several gasteria plants which are housed in our conservatory, kept at a minimum of 3 degrees C during the winter. My practice has been to give a very occasional light watering during winter months if the weather is dry and warm. Otherwise the plants are kept completely dry all winter. Last winter several of them were lightly watered only once between September and March.

If the plants are indoors in a warmer regime they might need more frequent light watering. What you want to avoid is prompting them into full growth, which would lead to excessive attenuated growth in the lower light levels during winter months.

[MikeT]

My general rule is that I don't water Aloes at all in the winter. There are 2 exceptions.
1) Aloe polyphylla does better with some water, the leaf tips don't dry up. It will cope perfectly well with some water even in freezing conditions.
2) Aloes that are flowering in winter. Without water, many of the buds will tend to dry up and not develop into flowers. As I only aim for frost-free in the greenhouse, this means bringing the plant into the house for warmer conditions (increasing the need for water, but avoiding the potentially harmful combination of wet and cold).

I'm sure there may be some species needing a different approach, but this works well for the species that I grow.

[MrSlinkyDragon]

Winter rainfall region species need a bit more during the winter. Ive been doing mine once a week but only just dampening the surface of the potting mix. (Same with my ceropegia woodii and hians

[ketsui73]

hi all
thanks very much for your replies.
I am going to stop watering now and monitor. Its a bit of a dilemma because i think with the central heating on and the fact that they are in upstairs windows they are not yet really seeing any drop in temps (but as you all know light levels are dropping quite fast).
I was debating whether or not to move them to the shed and get some grow lights .
From what limited knowledge i have of hybrids a lot of them use dwarf Madagascan aloes in their parentage so they don't do well at low temps. My theory at the minute is its better to keep them from getting too cold and water if i have to, rather than risk them outside in the shed.
Well fingers crossed i guess!
thanks again to anyone who tried to help
Steve

[ralphrmartin]

I have found the dwarf Madagascan Aloes to tolerate surprisingly low temperatures well, certainly 5C is plenty - and they even flower at that temperature. Some of mine were next to the glass, with frost on the inside. I continue to water them while flowering, even in winter. I've not had any problem with low temperatures with the hybrids, although I suppose it could depend on the exact parentage.

[Herts Mike]

I would give them a little water up to December when weather OK. Nothing December January but restart February.

[ketsui73]

hi Ralph & mike
thanks for for taking the time to share your experience and insights, sorry it has took me some time to respond .

Ralph i have recently joined the stoke branch and your talk there on the monster greenhouse was my first ever BCSS meeting. I picked up my aloe red dragon from you

Steve

[ralphrmartin]

Steve

Good to hear you were inspired to join up!

Good luck with the Red Dragon - mine is just coming into bud now. I'll have one or two more dwarf Aloe offsets spare in spring - remind me then.

All the best

Ralph