Expert: Maureen - 4/28/2010

Question
QUESTION: From the attached pic(s) can you identify what is wrong with the plants?

ANSWER: I can't tell from this one picture. You can only send one picture at a time so if you have more could you send each,  and/or another view, separately.  Also can you tell me a bit about how long this has been going on, what kind of soil and light, watering, where you keep the plant, when was it last repotted.

Thanks,
maureen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: plant problem .............by a west facing window, last repotted maybe 3 months ago, potting soil and watered about every 4-5 weeks

Answer
Thanks for the second picture.  It looks like your plant has rust.  Although not usually fatal, rust spots will discolor the leaves of your Aloe Vera. This disease is caused by a type of fungus that grows when water is left on a leaf for too long or the plant is receiving insufficient light. Unhealthy plants are more likely to be susceptible to this disease. To prevent this disease, water at the soil line, leaving the leaves dry. Remove affected leaves and in severe cases, spray with a fungicide.

Now, the other possibility is sunburn which also can cause that kind of spotting, tho I think rust is more likely.

Make sure your plants are in well drained potting medium, only water from the bottom.  If you don't like the looks of the leaves you can remove them.

Aside from the outer, older leaves the plant looks very healthy.

Hope this helps,

Maureen