Is the root system of a succulent healthy? One watering tells you easily.
Roots are the nutrient organs of a plant, usually located below the soil surface, responsible for absorbing water and the dissolved inorganic salts in the soil, and also serving to support, propagate and store synthesized organic matter. If the root system is poor, it may bring succulents various adverse symptoms such as dehydration, black rot and malnutrition, and the consequences are serious as well. With this concept as a foundation, I believe everyone's view of the status of roots has changed somewhat.
Some gardening friends have asked, what kind of succulent root system counts as having grown well? After watering, the faster a succulent recovers its condition, the better its root system; and if our water control for the succulent does not affect its growth, or after water control the leaves store water and look plump and thick, then it shows the succulent's root system has grown very well.
As for the misting method for succulents, the place where it should be applied most is on succulents with no roots or few roots, that is, during the rooting period. A moderate amount of misting can raise the ambient humidity and induce the succulent to send out roots. In addition, succulents in the dormant period should also be watered less; spraying directly onto the soil surface can preserve water and moisture, so that the succulent's root system will not dry up and die. There are also some shallow-rooted succulents, such as string of pearls and various leaf-cutting seedlings, whose roots are themselves not far from the soil surface, so they can also be watered by frequent misting instead of watering. When the misting method serves as a supplement to watering, it can make succulents more hydrated and beautiful.
Some succulents that easily grow very tall, such as the various aeoniums of the genus Aeonium, have root systems that are naturally prone to lignifying, because their stems grow very tall, and in order to anchor themselves and keep from falling over, the plant's root system becomes very thick and strong.
When planting those tall-stemmed succulents, some gardening friends often adopt the method of burying the stem deep in order to plant them more securely, which is not a very good habit. Burying the stem deep will make the root system lose that original pulling tension, and instead make the succulent's root system weak and easy to break. The correct way is to use an external force (such as copper wire) to fix the plant's main root to the bottom of the pot, and then use the fixed root system to hold the tall stem; this pulling tension is very beneficial to the growth of the root system.
For rooting succulents, the most critical factor is "air humidity"; as for what medium is used and whether to water, these are not the main factors affecting rooting. If the humidity at home is not high enough, you can choose to make your own humid-but-not-wet enclosed growing environment: you can take a plastic takeout box or buy a seedling box online, spread a layer of granular soil on the bottom (akadama soil is recommended, sterile), then use a spray head to spray the granular soil until it is humid but not wet, and place the leaves on top; finally cover it with perforated cling film or the lid that came with it to make a sealed space. In this way, the humidity is sealed in this space, and within a few days, the little leaves will sprout roots.
This is a gathering place for succulent lovers, sharing succulent care tips; you are welcome to follow and exchange ideas.