How to repot Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' in winter? Detailed method and step-by-step guide
Succulent plants are generally repotted in spring and autumn. Whether newly purchased or repotted on a regular schedule, repotting in these two seasons tends to make it easier for the plant to recover and quickly establish itself and survive. But some gardening friends may not know this, and may buy Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' in winter, and after buying it home it still needs to be repotted, since the original pot is not suitable for the plant's growth.
First, on the question of choosing a pot, many gardening friends like to use ceramic pots, feeling that such pots are more exquisite. But the editor suggests using clay pots, and trying not to use ceramic pots, because clay pots have stronger breathability and water permeability, and Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' also likes a growing environment with strong breathability and water permeability, so using clay pots is more suitable for its growth.
Moreover, the root system of Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' is usually relatively well developed. Although most are fine hair roots, so many roots cannot do without a suitable flower pot to grow them. Generally we recommend using a deep pot to grow Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop', as this is more conducive to its roots rooting deep, and the plant's growth will naturally be better.
As for the potting soil, generally use nutrient soil and river sand mixed half and half and stirred evenly, but we can also use coal cinder and humus soil to make a mixed substrate. Of course, we can also use a mixed soil made of river sand and humus soil to grow Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' in a pot. The main thing is to ensure the potting soil is fertile, loose, breathable and permeable.
Next, take Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' out of the original pot and observe whether the state of the root system is good and complete, or whether there are purely rotten roots, decayed roots, and so on. If the potting soil is not very dry, we can directly pot it up. But if the old soil is still very moist, then we cannot rush to repot it. In this case, it generally needs to be left to dry for a day, letting the excess water evaporate before repotting.
After building a drainage layer of about 2 cm at the bottom of a new pot one size larger, we can first spread a layer of new potting soil at the bottom of the pot. Then plant the unpotted Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' together with the old soil into the new pot, then use new potting soil to fill the gaps and press it down gently a little, so that the roots and soil contact more fully, which is more conducive to the plant establishing itself.
After completing the potting, we then water it a little. Since it is winter repotting, we do not need to water with the settling water; watering thoroughly would instead be unfavorable. We can use a spray bottle to evenly spray some water into the pot, keeping the potting soil slightly moist. If watered thoroughly in this case, it will not only easily cause the plant's roots to freeze, but may also cause root rot. So we just use a spray bottle to spray a little water.
Next we also need to prepare a suitable environment for the plant to recover, that is, place the potted plant on a balcony in a place with relatively sufficient light and good ventilation to air it out. When the potting soil becomes dry, we then repeatedly spray it with water a few times. In this way the plant is more likely to establish itself and survive, and it is also less likely to cause its roots to freeze or be stimulated. Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' will not only grow better, but at the same time avoid the occurrence of root rot.