No, don't wet it.

There's an FAQ which will help you out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Aloe FAQ

Thank you cactusmcharris! I did see that FAQ but still don't understand. If the roots ARE mostly rotten, would I cut those off and just put the entire (small) plant in straight perlite without water until it decides whether to recover or not? Do I nick it to give it a place to start to root? I really am a NEWBIE at indoor plants. Usually I stick with the outdoors variety. Thanks, again!

Yes, you'd cut off the rotted roots, and push the base slightly into the soil/perlite mix. Don't water it, just mist it every few days - in two months or less, you should have roots, provided it's warm and sunny where the pup is. This plant would grow best out of doors (in the summer) if you can, but it will begin rooting inside until it's warmer out.

Thank you, cactusmcharris!

If rot is in the main stem above the roots, it will be necessary to completely transect the stem until the cross-section shows no dark infected tissue. Then dry the cut in the air for several days and plant as described above. Do Not water until you see signs of growth indicating that roots have formed. This may take several weeks or more.

Thank you, paracelsus! So -- when you say dry the cut in the air for several days, do you mean that the plant is just cut off totally and not in anything for all those days?

Yes. Aloes have plenty of water reserves, and can survive for months without roots or water. Just lay it on its side and let the cut callous. Then plant in dry soil that is at least 3/4 inorganic particles like perlite, pumice, gravel, etc. Then do nothing and wait for roots.

No roots, no water. Let the succulent do what is designed to do, survive long periods without water. Succulents thrive on benign neglect. If in doubt, Don't! In this case, don't water until you are certain the plants has roots.

Again, thanks, paracelsus! So...even if my poor thing is ailing pretty badly (due to me not dealing with it while being distracted by life in general) and already a bit 'flat' -- this is the way to go, right? At least my sister's is healthy if I've left this one too long. And...at least it's a succulent! :-)

FYI: (I know it wasn't your doing but) in future, don't use any kind of sand on these, it makes things worse as you're discovering.

Also after cutting & before putting in perlite to root, you could sprinkle cinnamon (yes, like used in the kitchen used for baking, etc). It's an anti-fungal & helps stave off rot.

pirate_girl: Thank you for the advice with the cinnamon -- it sounds like a good idea that I'll want to try! Thanks to ALL of you for your help!

I hadn't connected the sand to its problem, though. My mom's was in this very sand for about 30 years and my sister has a baby still in it that is thriving. Mine isn't, for some reason. It certainly needs a change. I must have some other element that sent it over the edge. Perhaps the temperature, lighting or heat PLUS the sand did it in. Thanks, again!

I'd like to get this thread started again--have an A. plicatilis that was in the ground growing pretty well for 7-8 years, though it has been looking a bit scraggly the past six months or so. I thought it was mealybug infestation, which is a constant problem here with aloes, and have been trying to control those (and the ants that herd them around).

Plant was about 2 feet tall with four main stems, each of them divided into two or three smaller stems (10 fans of leaves altogether). My gardener knocked it over when trying to remove old leaves, which was actually a lucky thing because then I was able to see that the roots are black and soft and the whole plant was loose in the ground. So I have cut off the branches, which seem very firm and free of rot, and am just leaving them outside on a table in the shade to root. My question is, should I cut each individual branch with its fan of leaves into a separate cutting, or is it okay to root a bigger branch that includes 2-3 smaller branches?

And one more question--should I not water this aloe at all in the summer (once it's rooted and in a pot or the ground again)? Is summer watering always a bad idea for this species? I have tended to water it deeply once a month or so when the weather is dry. It was planted in rather heavy soil. Other areas of the garden have much better draining soil.

Thanks a lot for any guidance!
Loolie