neoow Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 I bought an aloe vera plant recently (mainly because they are supposedly easy to look after and I'm not normally very good with plants!). I've had it several weeks now and it hasn't died yet...!! I have read about the qualities of aloe vera and know you can use 100% aloe vera juice/gel with birds. Can I use the plant itself for Alfie in any way? I've seen mixed comments about birds eating the whole stalk so I'm not likely to try that. But I'm assuming there is a way I can safely extract the... sap(?)... from inside the stalks? Can I then mix that in Alfie's water occasionally? Or mix it with water and spray him with it? ...Or am I better off sticking to buying gel and juice and keeping the plant as a decorative feature? 😁 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 I don't see a problem with you doing that. That's what many people do to use on themselves. It's a great idea in my opinion! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayd Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Remember, there are over 400 species of aloe with each plant providing unique health benefits. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greywings Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Many of us buy the Aloe juice it is inexpensive and I fill our spray bottle with it for soothing birdy showers. I also have the plants outside and cut some off to treat kitchen burns as needed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blinkyspears22 Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 Is it difficult to take care of an aloe vera plant? Is it sensitive or something? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neoow Posted August 13, 2019 Author Share Posted August 13, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Blinkyspears22 said: Is it difficult to take care of an aloe vera plant? Is it sensitive or something? Well mine has seen better days but it's still (mostly) alive. I think I made a mistake and potted it in normal compost. I don't think they survive as well in compost? I'm guessing they need something a bit more gravel like- similar to a cactus. I'll have to do some reading and re-pot it before I accidentally kill it off. Edited August 13, 2019 by neoow 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNCAG Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 I've been through a few aloe vera plants over the last 30 years; some will live a long time then die for no reason I can figure out. I bought a new one 6 months or so ago. Btw, if a piece breaks off -- freeze it -- it can used later for burns and being cold is so wonderful for a burn! Medical advice: I do know my avian vet used to make a special mixture spray for parrots that contained aloe vera as an ingredient (my macaw received a horrible wing clip in the 90s by an ignorant vet (never went back to him nor ever clipped my macaw's wings again -- apparently he cut through more than primaries -- cut some secondary wings feathers). Anyway, point was, my macaw didn't understand it was her wing feathers messed up -- she figured it was her back injured (it was red from where her folded wings were scratching/irritating her back). That's when a real avian vet gave me his special aloe+ mixture to spray on her back. It soothed her back and eventually her wings feathers all grew back and her back healed up beautifully -- fully feathered back -- no lasting damage, thankfully. I keep everything, if I can find the bottle from the vet, I will tell you what's in it (if it's on the label) I really only remember it had aloe as a component in it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timbersmom Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 I have two aloe plants that have been alive and thrived for years. They are enormous, and the pot is always so full of starts it's a constant effort to keep ahead. They are in potting soil. I have no idea why they are so hardy, since I am lousy with plants. I do know someone told me a long time ago that they are succulents, not cactus, so need more water than a cactus. If that is true or not I haven't researched but I water them with the other plants. I'm attaching a picture of one of them. I'm pretty proud, since it is the only thing I've kept alive more than 5 years... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNCAG Posted August 14, 2019 Share Posted August 14, 2019 My aloe plant looks just like yours does if a dozen angry macaws ravaged yours down to 7 remaining stalks, 3 of which have broken off ends. lol Jealous! Yours are gorgeous and huge! Mine is, um, at a difficult toddler stage still. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neoow Posted August 14, 2019 Author Share Posted August 14, 2019 Hmm. Maybe the soil is not the problem and it just needs more water. It is in a very warm and sunny position. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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