Grow a healthy root system on succulents for faster growth and thicker, fleshier leaves

When potting up succulents, how do you encourage rooting? Leave the cut succulent in a spot with indirect light and good airflow for 1-2 days to dry out and let the wound heal. Find a bottle or cup, fill it with water, and place the succulent at the mouth of the bottle with the very bottom about 1CM above the water, but it must never touch the water. Put it in a spot with indirect light and good airflow, and at the fastest it can root in about 3 days.

Succulent soil is the key to growing roots. Every succulent soil mix must contain a gritty substrate to ensure good aeration. Otherwise it easily leads to waterlogged soil, poor root respiration, and root rot. In a well-ventilated, low-humidity environment such as a balcony or windowsill, you can use peat soil : perlite : rice husk charcoal : lightweight stone (or Kanuma soil) in a ratio of 4:2:1:1:1.

The role of perlite is to keep the soil loose and aerated, which is what we usually call the "gritty" effect. Coarse sand is itself gritty, so it can replace perlite here. Also, our Fat King (the doctor) says that the dust perlite produces during mixing (anyone who has mixed soil knows) cannot be expelled once inhaled into the lungs and is extremely harmful to human health, so when mixing soil in large quantities, use as little perlite as possible.

The pots used for planting succulents should not be too large. The bottom and sides of the pot should have holes and good aeration. As for succulent soil, I think it is absolutely crucial. Many growers' succulents need root trimming after they get sick, or are themselves fragile and need root care. At such times, if the soil causes problems again and the roots cannot grow out, the succulents at home are doomed, so you must be serious about soil!

What should you do if the succulent roots are not growing? If the succulent roots are not growing, there are three ways to root them. The first: just leave it out and it will root on its own, then plant it in soil after rooting. The second: use a small container, put some water in it, and place the plant at the rim with the roots not touching the water; this roots fairly quickly, and once rooted, plant it. The third: after the wound has dried, gently place it on the soil surface to root. The third method is best; the first and second damage the roots a bit, while with the third the roots grow straight down into the soil.

What should you do if the succulent roots get moldy? Remove all the original roots, soak the root area in 1/2000 potassium permanganate water for 20 minutes, then take it out and let it dry. Put a gritty, dry growing medium into a small pot, leave a small hollow in the center of the medium, and place the succulent's root area over the hollow. Do not water; it will grow new roots on its own. Once the plant starts growing, you can water appropriately, and afterwards you should still keep watering controlled, better dry than waterlogged, and place it indoors in a spot with strong light and good airflow.

This is a gathering place for succulent lovers, sharing succulent care tips. You are welcome to follow and join the discussion.