Aloe is brown! why? (pics included)?

Question

http://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1001633zt0.jpg

My aloe vera is ill.. again i had her in the sun and now she has gone from a lovely green to a swamp green. (leaf is dying because some soil got in there and rotted it) some of the leafs are thin at the top, i water her about once a week. i dont give her too much, my poor vera how can i make her green!!

Answer 1

I have a similar problem.

I think it needs re-potted with a good quality cactus compost and put into a larger container. It  won't do any harm to re-pot it and as it's on it's way out anyway it's the only thing to do to save it.

Thoroughly soak the new compost with water, let it drain for an hour or so. Then re-potted Aloe into a larger container.

I would then recommend using a cactus fertiliser once it has settled in it's new container after maybe two weeks.

Answer 2

My guess would be that the soil is not draining properly and the plant is waterlogged. Aloe vera likes fast draining soil so perhaps a cactus type of mix would be better.

My second thought would be lighting. When grown indoors, they like bright, indirect light. Are you providing enough light? Do not place it right next to a window as this will burn it. Also the heat off the window glass will bake the plant. If you had her right next to the window, she definitely got a sunburn. If you had her in full sun away from the window, I fear she got a sunburn there too. :(

I also suggest re-potting with a cactus mix and make sure the light you are providing is bright, indirect light.

Here are some links with information:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Healing-Aloe-V...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_vera

http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Aloe_V...

http://asktom-naturally.com/aloecare.htm...