The correct way to repot succulents

As the temperature becomes pleasant, many plant lovers often choose to change the potting soil for their succulents . However, different people may have very different results after repotting. Some flower lovers may find that succulents grow very well after being repotted. Not only do they grow healthily, but they may also show charming color changes in an environment with large temperature changes. Another group of flower lovers may encounter challenges. Their succulents are not in good condition after repotting and need a long time to adapt to the new environment. Some may even suffer from root and leaf rot, softening, black rot and other diseases, which may even lead to the death of the plant. Let’s learn the correct way to repot succulent plants.

1. Reduce watering before repotting

Before repotting succulents, it is recommended to reduce watering 3 to 4 days in advance and place the plants in a well-ventilated environment to encourage the soil to dry quickly. The purpose of doing this is to keep the soil and roots in a relatively dry state, so as to reduce damage to the roots when removing the plants from the pots. If the soil is too moist, not only will it be difficult to remove the plant from the pot, but the moist soil and water-saturated roots will be more vulnerable to damage during the repotting process, increasing the difficulty of subsequent maintenance.

2. Root pruning and drying

Root pruning is an essential step when repotting succulents. While other plants may not require root pruning when repotting, it is a necessary process for succulents.

1. Prune the roots

After removing the succulent from its old pot, remove any soil clinging to the roots and rinse them with clean water. Then, cut away any black, rotten, or softened root systems, as well as any tiny roots, leaving only the healthy taproot.

2. Dry the roots

Succulents should not be planted immediately after pruning, because the wounds on the root system are prone to infection and cause rot. Therefore, the pruned succulents need to be placed in a cool and ventilated place to dry, which usually takes 5 to 7 days until the root wounds dry and begin to heal before they can be replanted.

3. Newbies are advised to use special soil

Succulent plants have high requirements for soil and need loose, breathable and well-drained granular soil. Although there are many homemade soil recipes on the Internet, for inexperienced novice flower lovers, it is recommended to directly purchase special soil for succulents sold on the market. This avoids the risk of poor plant growth due to improper soil configuration. As experience accumulates, novice flower lovers can gradually try to prepare the soil themselves.

4. Adaptation period after repotting

Newly repotted succulents should not be put back in their original pot for maintenance immediately, because they need time to adapt to the new soil environment. This stage is called the "acclimatization period."

After repotting, you need to water the succulents thoroughly and then place them in a cool and ventilated place. During the acclimatization period, strong direct sunlight should be avoided. After about a week, you can gradually increase the light until it is fully adapted. Finally, move the plant to a location with sufficient light and resume normal care.

In short, autumn is also a suitable season for repotting succulents. Flower lovers who want to repot can seize the opportunity and master the repotting method at this time.