Aloe Vera Cultivation - 1

Aleo Vera can be identified as a diet as well as a drug. The drug is beneficial for many women's diseases. Aloe vera is botanically  known as "Aloe barbadensis miller" Or "Aloe indica". Aloe vera is cultivated mainly in US, China, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia.

About 15% of the world market share of aloe vera is supplied by China and India. This is a great opportunity for others as there is no supply for another 40% of the global market demand.

This is a perennial crop. A plant that grows to a height of 2 feet or more. The leaf is oblong and solid. The leaves contain liquid jelly. It has a normal bitter taste. The leaves are about 2 feet long and 3 to 4 inches wide. Flowering takes place from October to January, spreading from February to April. 

Aloe Vera Plants 

Health Benefits

There are many health benefits from Aloe vera. few of those are;

• Aloe vera is effective in controlling the cessation of certain hormonal functions in women with age 
• Regulating menstrual cycle
• Natural treatment for skin care
• Reduce scars, acne and black marks
• Eye disease
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Anti-diabetic effect
• Stomach ulcers
• Skin cancer
• Wounds, burning pain
• Insanity, anemia, etc.. 

Also the aloe vera contains seven amino acids that our body cannot manufacture and rich in Vitamin B, C, E, A. Therefore aloe vera is also used for vitamin deficiency. It is one of the most commonly used drugs during night time.

Land Preparation and Suitable Climate

Fenced lands are not suitable for this purpose. Depending on the need for well water, water dependence is harmful to crops. Well drained soils are preferred. Between 1000 - 1200 mm of annual rainfall is preferred.

Planting should be done by turning the soil into pots and pallets. One and a half feet between plants and one and a half feet between rows is appropriate. Otherwise, the plants can be planted as 1 foot between rows and 2 feet between rows. When planting, the green part of the plant should not be covered with soil. Watering should not be done until 4 days after planting. Cultivation is successful with maximum sunlight. But water should be applied. If the sunlight is low, the leaves become darker, causing them to fall down, resulting in reduced yields. If the leaves grow thin, the water supply should be increased. The brown leaves should be carefully removed. Too much water can cause root rot. Watering once a week is sufficient after the first week.

Weeds of aloe vera  should be suppressed for cultivation so as not to damage the roots. This is a task that needs to be done very carefully. 

Aloe Vera Plantation - Correct gaps 

Fertilization

It is not advisable to use chemical fertilizers for aloe vera and composting is sufficient enough for plants. Cow-dung, goat manure, ash and charcoal are suitable. Applying organic fertilizer once a year is sufficient.

In mixture of fertilizer, N:P:K ratio should be 10:40:10 for better result. if you apply more chemical fertilizers to the plant, the plant will be yellowish color and start rotting from roots. 


Harvesting and Market details will be mentioned in next article

Aloe Vera Cultivation - 2