The Complete Guide to Repotting Plants: Methods and Precautions Explained

Common Jasmine Orange

 Common Jasmine Orange

Jay Chou 

00:00/04:59

BGM: Jay Chou - Common Jasmine Orange

Ornamental peach (image from the internet)

Cute-looking succulents have always been hugely popular. To let these succulents stay by our side for a long time, repotting them becomes an unavoidable task. Today let's look at the points to note about repotting succulents~

Why repot?

The purpose of repotting is to give the succulent a more vibrant environment.

Over time, the soil in the original succulent pot has broken down, the gaps between particles have become tighter and tighter, and it starts to compact, so water poured in is no longer absorbed so easily.

Also, since the succulent itself grows, as the roots grow the pot may eventually become completely filled, which is bad for its later growth.

In an environment where the succulent struggles to grow,

repotting and fresh soil can make them come back to life.

If possible, succulents are best repotted every year, or at least once every 1~3 years, to improve their growing environment.

Echeveria 'Topsy Turvy' (image from the internet)

How to tell whether it is suitable for repotting

Whether to repot depends on whether you can confirm the roots have filled the pot.

If the succulent you are keeping shows the following signs, it should be repotted~

Signals for repotting

· Roots have grown out of the bottom of the pot

· The humidity is not high, yet several leaves have withered

· The lower leaves have dropped, and aerial roots have grown from the stem

· It has not been repotted for two years or more

· The roots have become pot-bound

Haworthia 'Aurora' (image from the internet)

When is it suitable to repot

To determine the timing of repotting,

succulents vary greatly in growth period depending on the species,

those that grow well in summer are called summer-growing types,

those that grow in winter are winter-growing types,

and besides these there are also spring-and-autumn-growing types, three main categories in total.

Whichever type it is, the key point is to repot when it has just entered its growth period.

Because repotting is bound to damage the roots,

and during the growth period there is more energy, so the roots recover much faster.

For summer-growing types and spring-and-autumn-growing types it is April~May,

and for winter-growing types September~November is the more suitable time to repot.

(image from the internet)

Checklist of essentials for repotting

Special succulent soil

A pot one size larger than the plant

Pot-bottom stones (pumice), pot-bottom pads

Scissors (cleaned), small tweezers

Newspaper and thin plastic sheets

If you are just starting to grow succulents, using the pre-mixed special succulent soil from the market is very simple,

if you want to mix it yourself, mix small-grain akadama and peat soil in a 7:3 ratio and add a little slow-release fertilizer.

As for the pot, just use one size larger than the current pot. For example, if you were using a No. 5 pot, then if possible switch to a No. 6 pot one size larger; if the growth rate is too fast, switching to a pot two sizes larger is also fine.

For the scissors used to trim the roots, to keep pathogens from entering the cut, sterilize them by holding them over a flame or pouring boiling water over them.

Haworthia cooperi var. truncata (image from the internet)

How to repot

Once all the preparation tools are ready, let's repot.

Follow the order below for the repotting steps.

Steps for repotting

1. Lay a layer of newspaper and plastic film underneath

2. To avoid damaging the roots as much as possible, carefully and gently pull it out of the pot

3. Gently clean off by hand the soil clinging to the roots

4. Remove damaged roots with scissors and tweezers; to tell whether a root is damaged, see whether it has turned black or brown

5. In the pot one size larger, cover the bottom with pot-bottom stones or a mesh pad

6. Put 1/3 of the soil into the pot

7. Place the succulent in the new pot and cover with soil, covering only up to 2~3 cm below the rim of the pot

8. Firm the soil so the roots and soil make full contact

How to care for it after repotting

After repotting, place it in a spot with bright, indirect light,

control watering, and water can be given after 4~7 days.

Because succulents store a large amount of water in their bodies, not watering for a while will not kill them; afterwards still stick to the principle - water thoroughly only when completely dry.

Pachyveria 'Blue Bird' (image from the internet)

How to make a succulent shrink after repotting?

Did I hear that right? Make a succulent shrink? Yes, exactly!

Sometimes small and delicate succulents are also very rewarding to admire, so feeling that a succulent grows too fast and too large is also a kind of worry.

At this time, take the opportunity of repotting to trim the roots! Keep the plump, healthy roots and gently trim away the rest.

Because except for Haworthia, whose roots are fleshy and store energy, the roots of other Crassulaceae are only used to absorb nutrients. Trimming the roots makes the succulent re-root; proper trimming lets the succulent grow better new roots, and such large-scale root trimming is only to make the succulent temporarily absorb a little less nutrition, so naturally the growth rate will also slow down.

At the same time, the energy absorbed is also reduced, so removing a few leaves is also very necessary. This is because more leaves naturally evaporate more water; for overall balance, do a major trim!

Growing too large is also a kind of worry (image from the internet)

I never expected there to be so much to repotting,

has anyone run into problems when repotting?

Feel free to leave a comment~

- Review of last issue's content -