How to pot a Black Prince echeveria? A detailed guide to the latest potting method

The Black Prince echeveria (Aeonium 'Zwartkop') is a beautiful succulent with glossy black leaves, and it has quite a few derived varieties, most of which are very attractive. Varieties like the Plum Blossom Pokey are especially highly ornamental; even if we do not let them bask in the sun often, as long as there is plenty of scattered light, their leaf color is also very attractive, and as long as they are grown well, it is easy for a single head to burst into multiple heads.

Because the Black Prince echeveria has strong vitality and is very easy to plant and keep alive, the ones we buy online are usually shipped bare-root by the seller. So how do you pot a bare-root Black Prince echeveria? Once the plant arrives, generally we only need to simply trim the roots before preparing to pot it. Because the Black Prince echeveria is so easy to keep alive, you could say it will survive no matter how you plant it.

Bare-root Black Prince echeverias bought online often tend to have their fine roots dry out on the way during transport, and some of the plant's leaves may also appear on the greenish side; in fact, these are all normal phenomena and do not mean the plant has a problem or will be difficult to pot and establish. It is just that it is generally recommended to trim off the dried-out fine roots and let the roots dry before potting. Otherwise, these dried fine roots, once potted and watered, are more likely to rot and breed harmful bacteria, causing infection to the plant.

But if the bare-root Black Prince echeveria we receive has relatively fresh roots, there is generally no need to deliberately trim the roots; a simple treatment is enough. And it does not matter if the leaves turn green or soft; as long as the plant regrows roots after potting, these phenomena will gradually disappear, allowing the plant to return to a normal growth state, and the leaves will quickly turn black and stand upright.

While the roots are drying, we can first prepare the potting soil for it; it is recommended to use a mixed substrate with high looseness and strong air and water permeability for potting. It is generally recommended to use half river sand and half nutrient soil, mixed and stirred evenly before use. Then we water the mixed substrate to moisten it and stir it evenly again, so that the potting soil is kept in a half-dry, half-moist state. Of course, it is recommended to add a little carbendazim to the water, stir it evenly, and pour it into the soil; this can disinfect and sterilize, avoiding root infection that causes root rot.

Next we can prepare a relatively deep flower pot for the Black Prince echeveria, because its root system is very developed, with not only a main root but also numerous fine roots; using a deep pot to plant it appropriately deep is more conducive to root distribution. But before potting, it is recommended to place some coal cinder or large-particle clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot to improve the drainage effect at the bottom. Then we add an appropriate amount of potting soil into the pot, plant the Black Prince echeveria, whose roots have been trimmed and dried, into the pot, and fill in the potting soil around the plant.

Since we are using the method of potting with moist soil, after the Black Prince echeveria is planted and settled in the pot, do not rush to water it. First place it in a sunny spot with plenty of scattered light and good ventilation to let it recover for a period; wait until the potting soil dries, then give a small amount of water to maintain the soil's moisture. Generally, the first watering can be done after one week, but it is recommended to drip a few drops of rooting agent into the water, shake it well, and then pour it into the potting soil; this is more conducive to the plant taking root. Only after the Black Prince echeveria has successfully taken root and adapted to the pot do we gradually increase light for it and restore normal watering, and then we can manage it according to normal care methods.