Wellness

[Julie_23]

Does anyone have and use an aloe vera plant?  Is there a proper way to cut off the leaves such that you don't hurt the plant?  When I have cut a piece off before, that particular branch withered.  

Thanks!

[x Hedge]

Clean knife well.

I use an alcohol wipe, after all this is surgery.

Don't tear the skin. The leaf usually cant recover from tearing the skin downward at the end of the cut.

Open wound on cut edge of plant will seal over, tears won't. 

Best way to avoid tearing the skin is to cut in from one side, stop halfway through. Cut in from the other side of the leaf, meeting cuts in the middle.

If the wound starts to look infected after a few days clean your knife again and make another cut, leaving only healthy leaf.

[Julie_23]

Wow, @x Hedge, thank you!!  You sound like you know what you're doing!  

I greatly appreciate it.

[x Hedge]

@Julie_23 read it again,  I did an edit.

[Julie_23]

Got it!  (I just read your helpful edit.)

I'm so glad I asked.  I appreciate your expertise!  (Thanks again.)

[freakygirl]

my mom used to use the aloe vera plant and i was the one who cut it for her. i simply made a clean cut with a sharp knife at the very bottom of the leaf. no harm done and her plants were always healthy. 

[dfyre]

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@freakygirl wrote:

my mom used to use the aloe vera plant and i was the one who cut it for her. i simply made a clean cut with a sharp knife at the very bottom of the leaf. no harm done and her plants were always healthy. 

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That's what my mom used to do. She got her plant from my aunt in Florida and loved it. Then one day my cat ate it. She was not pleased.

[freakygirl]

dfyre, omg that was too funny! not for your mom i'm sure, but it made me laugh 😄

my mom had pots and pots of that plant. she used to rub it on her scalp before she'd wash her hair. what did your mom use it

for? 

[Lindsays Grandma]

When my father retired he and my mother moved from New York to Florida and would visit me once a year where I lived in California.  Not only did they bring me loads of grapefruit from their trees, but dozens of alo vera plants as well.  My father loved those plants, used them to soften his rough elbows and swore by them.  Everytime I talk about my mother and father the tears start, I  miss them so much.

[deb5555]

Aldi is selling aloe vera plants for $3.99 this week in their stores if anyone needs to pick one up. I bought 2.