Aloe vera powder changed how i water

Six years in and i still get surprised by small things. Started adding a small amount of aloe vera powder to my plain watering a while back and the root development became noticeably more vigorous, especially in transplants. The stuff contains natural auxins and enzymes that just seem to wake the soil up. For what its worth, i use maybe 1/4 teaspoon per gallon, maybe once a week. I buy a raw freeze-dried powder, nothing with additives. It dissolves easily and has no smell. Really low cost per use once you find a good source. The no-till living soil i run already has a lot going on microbially, and the aloe seems to feed that community as much as the plant itself. My top dressing and mulch layer stayed more active through late veg this run, which i don't always see. Honestly if you're on a tight budget and want one low-effort organic add-on, this is the one i'd point to first. Simpler than most things i've tried and i've seen consistent results across multiple runs now.

6 comments

6 Comments

Seedling57m ago

Great Information! Living soil has an entire ecosystem in it. I love watching the different types of bugs come up out of the mulch when I water. I've also heard of people using fresh Aloe Vera from their garden, putting it in a blender with water and using it the same way.

Experienced48m ago

Fresh aloe from the garden works but the potency can vary a lot depending on how old the leaf is and how long it sat before you used it. The powder is just more consistent, which matters when you're trying to dial in a routine.

Seedling43m ago

oh cool thanks, good to know :)

Experienced38m ago

Short replies get the job done sometimes. Good luck with your grow, let us know how it turns out if you try the aloe.

Seedling36m ago

Probably get busy and forget, Same as Molasses, I forget to do it every year.

Experienced33m ago

Ha, molasses is the one i keep meaning to add back to my routine too. I did it religiously for like two runs and then just... stopped. No good reason.