How do you trim the roots of succulents? 7 pictures teach you how to handle various situations

Everyone knows that trimming the roots of succulents before potting is very important. There are two main purposes for trimming roots: 1. To make it easier for new roots to grow; 2. To make potting easier. But exactly how to trim the roots, and to what extent, may be unclear to many people. Below, Xiaojingzhi Life will learn together with everyone about how to trim the roots of succulents.

1. Root trimming for succulents with relatively soft fibrous roots

There are many succulents with fibrous roots. Although the root system is very developed, once the soil is removed, the roots are basically all clumped together and hard to separate. For this kind of root system, you can directly trim off all the fine fibrous roots, leaving only a few relatively thick main roots.

2. Root trimming for succulents with a relatively high degree of root lignification

For old specimens of succulents such as those in the genus Aeonium or Crassula, their roots are almost lignified and relatively hard. Even if the soil is completely removed, they still basically will not deform and clump together. When potting, there is basically no need to worry that the roots cannot be spread out. This kind of root system should be the best root condition, and there is no need to trim the roots. If root trimming is needed, just trim off a small amount of the root tips.

3. Root trimming for succulents whose roots have grown crooked

Many succulents have roots that, for various reasons, grow only to one side. For this kind of root system, try to trim off most of it. Even if the part being trimmed is very developed, do not feel bad about it. Only by trimming off most of it can the area near the main stem be stimulated to sprout new roots faster until the root system becomes even.

4. Root trimming when making a succulent arrangement

A succulent arrangement requires planting multiple succulents in a limited space, which requires dense planting. So the roots can be trimmed into the shape shown in the picture above, and then holes can be poked directly in the positions in the potting soil where planting is needed, and the roots inserted.

5. Do not trim the roots of succulents that have just grown tender roots

Do not trim those limited new roots that have just grown. They finally just grew out, and it is too late even to take care of them...

6. Root trimming for succulents with root nodules

Some succulents planted in the ground or casually planted with garden soil often have root nodules, or deformities where the roots are thin at the top and thick at the bottom and uneven. This kind of root system is very likely infected with root-knot nematodes. At this time, the diseased roots need to be directly and decisively trimmed off to avoid further spread of root-knot nematodes.

7. Root trimming for succulents with fleshy roots and nutrient roots

For succulents in families and genera such as Aloeaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Asteraceae, and Agavaceae, they generally grow thick nutrient roots, so there is basically no need to trim the roots. You only need to check whether there are dried-out or rotted diseased roots and bad roots, and then clean them off.

Finally, remember one point: after finishing root trimming on succulents, be sure to remember to dry the roots. The purpose of drying the roots is to let the wounds dry and heal, so as to avoid root rot caused by contact with the potting soil after potting. The environment for drying the roots needs to be ventilated and have scattered light. The time for drying the roots is: if the cross-sectional diameter of the wound is several mm, then dry it for that many days. For example, if a succulent, after root trimming, has the thickest cut cross-section of 4 mm, then this succulent needs to be dried for 4 days in a ventilated environment with scattered light.

The above was organized and published by Xiaojingzhi Life. We hope it is helpful to everyone.