How to start cultivating aloe vera?
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Ancient Cultivation
The history of aloe vera cultivation dates back to the origins of the first human civilizations. Belonging to the Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae) family, Aloe Vera Barbadensis Miller is the most studied species among the over 500 varieties of aloe vera existing today. Its introduction to Europe emerged during the 17th century, where aloe vera started to be cultivated in the warmer regions of the mainland, such as the Mediterranean Spanish southeast coast. Atalaya Bio has been a leading reference in organic and biodynamic aloe vera cultivation for over a decade now, focusing on both food and cosmetic use.
Over the last years, climate change and prolonged droughts have prompted aloe vera cultivation in previously unconsidered regions so far, such as southern France. Visionary French farmers have started replacing vineyards with this promising crop, requiring minimal water and successfully enduring the driest months. As a perennial plant, aloe vera maintains high productivity, ensuring a steady supply for cosmetic and food supplements laboratories.
Aloe Vera Offsets
If you're looking to start an aloe vera plantation from scratch, you might be wondering: how does aloe vera reproduce? In short, there are two main methods of reproduction: sexual, through flowering and seeds, and asexual, through offsets. This article focuses on asexual reproduction, where roots of the mature plant give rise to new plants, the quickest, safest, and most economical way to start a pure aloe vera plantation.
Offsets emerge from the roots of the mature aloe vera plant, seeking sunlight. On average, a healthy mature aloe vera plant produces between 20-30 offsets annually. Offset removal, along with harvesting, is a primary agricultural task in aloe vera cultivation, especially in privileged spaces like Atalaya Bio's farm, where large aloe vera plants have been growing up for over a decade, benefiting from a nutrient-rich and uncontaminated soil, surrounded by an amazing biodiversity that we protect and support, such us the Greek Tortoise.
Nature's rhythm guides us on when it's the right time to remove offsets and plant them. At Atalaya Bio, we recommend offset removal in late winter to help mature plants develop without burdens. The ideal window for planting offsets spans from spring to autumn, ensuring optimal growth.
Where to Buy Quality Organic Aloe Vera Plants?
As it happens with plants seeds, the quality and purity of aloe vera offsets can vary significantly, so choosing a reputable aloe vera cultivation company is key when starting a new aloe vera plantation.
If you're a professional farmer looking for a company in Spain to purchase high-quality aloe vera offsets and plants from, count on us. Our aloe vera offsets are manually extracted from adult organic and biodynamic aloe vera plants, cultivated for over a decade in the southeastern Spanish mainland coast, kissed by the Mediterranean breeze. We have the capability to supply proximity organic aloe vera plants from Europe.
Are you a professional farmer looking to start an aloe vera plantation?
If you are not a professional, please note that we do not sell aloe plants to individuals, since the offset removal process is costly and only profitable for us in large quantities. Additionally, we do not offer our consulting services on aloe vera cultivation. More information can be found on our blog, and you can explore our range of certified premium aloe vera cosmetic products and dietary supplements in our online store, accessible directly by clicking here.