Hey there! Let's discuss the importance of repotting and transplanting our beloved plants. While adorable succulents are low-maintenance, giving them a new home when necessary is critical to ensuring their continued growth and health. 

How can you tell when it's time to repot a succulent and what's involved? Fear not, as this article offers valuable guidance by highlighting the essential steps of repotting. Get ready to learn how to keep your succulents thriving!

When do I need to Repot My Succulents?

1. If the soil in the succulent pot is found to be crusty;

2. If the succulent plant develops root rot or insect or fungal disease;

3. Succulent growth, the original small pot of space is not enough need to be transplanted;

4. Replanting and separating succulents from their parent plants after they have grown offsets and then starting to propagate.

5. Newly purchased succulents can be transplanted from plastic containers to other pots;

The best time to repot succulent

Most succulent varieties are usually repotted in mid-March to early April (early spring). Some winter-type species of succulents that grow in winter and are dormant in summer can also be repotted in late August to early September (early fall). In short, it is advisable to change pots at the end of the dormant period when succulents are about to grow so that succulents have enough time to practical new pots and soil for the growth period.

The frequency of repot specifically depends on the growth rate of different plants; most of the genus succulent plants 1-2 need to repot once.

You may wonder: The Secret of Succulent Dormancy.

What materials do I need to repot succulent?

1. Pot: A garden pot that is 10% larger than the plant is the best size for succulents, and a pot with drainage holes will provide drainage and breathability for the roots;

2. Soil: particularly succulent soil with good drainage. Or you can personally prepare granular soil and nutrient soil according to the needs of different plants; 

3. Small trowel: remove succulents from the current pot. Metal tweezers can be used instead to repot more miniature succulents so that you can plant them efficiently and carefully.

4. In addition to this, you will also likely use scissors to trim the roots and leaves of your succulents; you may also need watering cans to water your succulents.

Steps to repot succulent

It's best not to water for a week before potting to keep the soil dry for easy de-potting and to minimize root damage.

De-potting:

Place the pot on its side and shake it slightly afterward to de-pot a succulent. You can also use a small trowel to remove the plant from the edge of the pot.

You can easily support your resilient succulents by gently inserting a slim wooden stick through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot.

1. Root cleaning and drying:

After de-potting, if you observe that the succulent's roots have worms or rotten, injured, or wilted roots, you need to prune this part of the roots. If the roots are healthy (with white or red fresh hairy roots), removing the old soil from the succulent roots is only necessary.

If your succulent has excised roots, wait to proceed to the next step. Succulent roots must be placed in a cool, airy place to air-dry for 3 to 4 days before proceeding to the next step, and cinnamon can be applied to the roots before planting to prevent bacterial infection.

2. Prepare the succulent's new home:

Start by filling the new pot 2/3 of the way with soil mixture, and when you're done, gently place the succulent in the center of the pot with tweezers or your hands. Afterward, add more soil with a small trowel around the pot's rim to cover the roots completely. When adding soil, you must be careful that the succulent leaves are above the soil and pot edges. If the leaves at the bottom of the succulent are close to the soil and the edge of the pot it will tend to scratch the leaves and infect them.

Finally, you can put some top dressing on top of the soil.

After repot succulent

1. Don't water your succulent immediately after repotting, but keep it in a cool, ventilated place. After the succulent roots have adapted to the new environment (after about three days), we can spray the soil surface with water at night or early in the morning.

2. After 7 to 10 days, the succulent has grown roots and adapted well to the soil and the pot so that it can be watered, usually using the soak and dry watering method, and placed in a brightly lit position without direct sunlight. 

3. Wait for signs of growth (taller, side shoots) or a week before placing in direct sunlight.

4. Don't be in a hurry to fertilize the plant, but wait until it is sure that it will continue to grow so there is no risk of damaging the roots!

You may wonder: How to Fertilize Succulents Scientifically?

Why Succulent Die After Repot?

After following the correct steps, your succulent still died; what are the reasons for this?

1. Changing pots is often done after purchasing a succulent, which means that the succulent from one environment has just switched to another. The environment will significantly affect the succulent's form, color, and health. The succulent may not be able to accept or like the new environment after switching, and it is not caused by repot.

2. Although succulents are vigorous plants, some are sensitive and have high environmental and soil requirements. Many hybrids are more fragile, probably due to genetic mutations like other creatures. So, if you do every step right but the plant dies, it could be because the succulent in the repot is more sensitive.

3. For succulents, the soil's proportion and quality are significant. For example, suppose your succulent is tiny in size, but you put clay balls all over its miniature pot to maintain the breathability of the soil. In that case, it greatly reduces the pot's space, which is unfavorable to the plant as it reduces the amount of nutrients that the succulent can absorb.

Conclusion

Repotting succulents is a delightful experience that deepens your connection with them and enhances your knowledge of their care. Using the correct method when transferring a succulent to a new pot is crucial. I'm excited to help you with this rewarding process!