How to transplant succulents

How to transplant succulents easily

How to transplant succulents? Transplanting these plants is really an important maintenance task for them. It should be done approximately every two or three years and must comply with conditions quite different from those of the transplant of green plants. Knowing that succulents later require little maintenance, this should motivate you to achieve a perfect transplant.

It is preferably done at the beginning of spring, when the plant is at the end of the vegetative period. To promote plant growth and ensure good drainage, the root ball is placed on a bed of gravel, in a mixture of soil, potting soil, and sand.

Why transplant succulents

Indoor cacti are demanding plants

A transplant is performed primarily for two reasons: replace the old soil with a better substrate and place the plant in a pot more appropriate to its size. So if the pot has become too small or too deep and the soil for this reason takes time to fully dry out, even on a hot summer day, or if the soil has become too compact and limestone and limestone are formed. Mineral salts, residues from past fertilizations, incrustations on the surface, it is necessary to transplant into a new, more suitable container with a well-drained substrate.

When to transplant succulents

In gardening, there are periods to follow and succulents are no exception. Therefore, it is advisable to transplant the succulents in spring, around March and April, so that growth can take hold. To transplant these plants correctly, you should always make sure that the roots are very dry.

  • You will need to transplant the young succulents once a year.
  • Adult succulents and take longer to recover from the trauma of the operation, they are transplanted every three to four years.

Which pot to choose for succulents

For succulents it is better to opt for terracotta containers that, beyond the ornamental value, offer the advantage of being porous, thus allowing the loss of water by evaporation of the walls. This is advantageous, because any excess water (harmful to succulents) can be removed quickly. However, any container must necessarily have one or more drainage holes.

The root system of most succulents is shallow and tends to spread mainly laterally.. Therefore, for most species (Ferocactus, Echinocactus, Mammillaria, Aloe, Opuntia, Crassula, Echinopsis) bowl or basin type containers are preferable, therefore wider than tall. For columnar succulents, large vases should necessarily be chosen, capable of stabilizing the specimen.

Before transplanting

Since succulents are soaked with water, it is not necessary to water them before transplanting them. On the contrary, just like when you cut them, take the time it takes to allow the substrate to dry for several days, even more than a week, before considering transplanting them. This will make the old substrate easier to remove.

How are succulents transplanted?

Succulents can be transplanted in spring

You have to remove the succulent plant from its old container. To do this, you have to scrape its root ball to remove as much of the substrate as possible. A fork is useful here to do a clean and delicate job without damaging the roots. Clean the roots of your succulent plant well and use scissors to cut off the dead ones 1/3 of their length.

A good transplant of succulents requires that we first cover the bottom of the pot (terracotta fragments, gravel, clay balls (for sale here), etc.) to drain excess water which can be harmful to roots Add a layer of potting soil (drainage, potting soil for cacti and succulents like this) on top. Next, insert a cone of slow-release fertilizer (osmocote type) to the side. It will provide all the nutrients to the succulent plant as it grows.

Finally, place the plant in the center spreading the roots into the bottom of the potting soil. Fill with substrate to the top. Then, lightly tamp down by applying pressure with your fingers. No need to water. Under these conditions, your succulent plant is left for a 2- to 4-year life cycle without any maintenance other than watering from time to time. Wait about ten days before the first watering, that the roots have left their mark in this new pot.

More tips on transplanting succulents

It is useful to give you some tips so that the procedure is carried out correctly, thus avoiding stress to the plant and ensuring its lush growth for years.

For the soil, it is better to prefer an abundantly draining solution, Since almost all succulents suffer from water stagnation, prepare a bottom of expanded clay balls as well if necessary. Alternatively, shards and pebbles can be used. However, it is better to prefer a soft soil, tending to sandy, so that the roots do not encounter obstacles in their development, as well as moderately acidic.

When it comes to fertilization, most don't need much attention. At the same time, it is better not to overdo it with watering, even and especially during the transplant procedure.


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