Root pruning for succulents also depends on the variety. These succulents are just too fussy.

The condition of a succulent and the plumpness of its leaves

are closely related to the health of its root system,

so treating the roots is especially important.

After a succulent has grown for a period of time (about 1-2 years), due to bacterial infection, soil compaction and other reasons, some roots will die off. These dead roots will affect the plant's absorption, and wound infection can also spread, affecting other healthy roots and causing blackening, rot and other phenomena. At this point, you need to repot the plant to deal with the dead roots.

As for newly purchased succulents, especially those bought on Taobao, many of them need root pruning. When buying, everyone hopes for well-developed roots, but in fact, as long as you master the method of rooting, those rootless succulents are actually easier to keep alive.

So, after beginners get a healthy succulent, they should not be pleasantly surprised just because it comes with many roots. In the picture below, taking "Dahe Meini" as an example, the leaves are very healthy and there are many roots. Many flower lovers plant and water it directly after getting it, but this is actually unscientific.

Most of the roots under this succulent have died. If planted directly, new roots will grow very slowly, and the old roots will struggle to adapt to the environment, and may even trigger some diseases. After planting, it is very likely to turn to mush, or even die entirely. So for its future, you have to be ruthless.

Not only should you prune the dead roots, but you should also remove the dead leaves at the base of the plant, because these dead leaves may hide insect eggs and trigger diseases.

After pruning, it is best to rinse with clean water, or soak in a fungicide solution, with the concentration not too high. This can greatly reduce the chance of pests and diseases.

After washing, let the roots dry. Place the succulent with the roots facing up in a shaded area without direct sunlight and let it dry for 1-2 days, until the roots are completely dry and the wounds from the cuts have healed. About a week after planting, roots will grow. Do not be tempted to dig into the soil to check.

One variety that needs special attention is Jingye (Echeveria derenbergii). Many beautiful large Jingye plants cannot be kept alive after being taken home, and the reason is the roots.

Take the picture below as an example. It looks great, right? It is even an old stem, with a somewhat woody stalk. But this kind of stalk is the most dangerous. If potted directly, there is only a 10 to 20 percent chance of survival.

So for its future, be ruthless and remove the hands and feet!

Also, because there are many black spots on the branches, you need to pull off some of the lowest leaves until you find healthy branches. If the removed leaves are relatively healthy, they can be used for leaf propagation.

After pruning, still follow the steps above: dry the roots, then pot them.

Here you can refer to a Huayueye (Echeveria pulidonis) that was pruned and planted a month ago. At first it had no roots at all. After pruning, the regrown roots are healthier. Although in the early stage it needs to consume the lower leaves for nutrients, once the roots are stable, the succulent will grow rapidly.

Regarding soil ratios, greenhouses use large amounts, and to save money they use peat soil + perlite + weathered rock from the mountains at 1:1:1. For home use, you can use peat soil + perlite at 1:1, or coconut coir + perlite at 1:1. In addition, peat has a pretty good rooting effect.

These white hairs are newly grown roots. They can blend better with the environment and vigorously absorb nutrients.

For old-stem succulents, many need root pruning. The roots of the Taomeiren (Pachyphytum oviferum) old stem below are quite good and do not need pruning. You can wash it, dry the roots, and pot it, and it will root quickly, but note that the soil needs some moisture.

There is no need to worry when this kind of wrinkling appears. As long as the roots are stable, its condition will quickly return.

For succulents like this that do not have many roots, there is also no need to prune. Just wash them, dry the roots, and pot them directly.

Root pruning

is not only related to the condition of the succulent,

but also related to the variety.

Varieties that need root pruning:

Haworthia cooperi and related types, Liheng types, Lithops, and the Echeveria genus (Jiwalian, the Dongyun series, Huayueye, etc.; this category is relatively large, and especially those with well-developed roots need more attention).

Varieties that do not really need root pruning:

Graptopetalum mendozae, Senecio rowleyanus, Sedum 'New Jade', Othonna capensis, the Aeonium genus (Aeonium 'Yulong Guanyin', Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop', etc.), and the Sedum genus (Sedum pachyphyllum, Sedum hispanicum, etc.).

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