How to trim roots and apply top dressing to succulents? Detailed methods and techniques

  Nutrient deficiency in succulents is not common, but fertilizer burn on roots is frequently encountered. As mentioned earlier, the osmotic pressure of succulent root systems is mainly discussed in relation to over-fertilization. The result of over-fertilization is often that each application leads to rot. However, in order to make succulents grow more beautifully and relatively faster (which brings a great sense of accomplishment), fertilization is a very important part. Once you can keep succulents alive, you should aim to grow them well.

  However, following a conservative principle, beginners growing succulents for the first time are generally better off not fertilizing. This is because succulents are not particularly heavy feeders, and the trace elements in ordinary soil are usually sufficient. Fertilization is often done with liquid fertilizer, which can easily cause side effects similar to improper watering. The main reason is that when growing succulents, people most easily fall into the mindset of trying to pull up seedlings to help them grow and rushing for quick results. After all, succulents have their own unique physiological characteristics. Although we can, to a certain extent, improve their growth rate by changing the local environment, we cannot fundamentally change them, otherwise failure is inevitable.

  In addition to base fertilizer, succulents can also be given top dressing at appropriate times. The situation here is relatively more complex, because although they are all called cacti, different varieties differ considerably due to their own inherent characteristics. Moreover, succulents belong to different families and genera. Although they all share drought tolerance, the differences among them are still great, so they must be treated differently and fertilized with caution. For some robust-growing varieties, such as those in the genera Opuntia, Echinopsis, Mammillaria, Ferocactus and so on, during the growing season, as long as the principle of "light fertilizer applied frequently" is followed, there is no problem at all.

  For some extremely slow-growing varieties such as those in the genus Ariocarpus, Obregonia denegrii, and Aztekium ritteri, as well as succulents in the genus Lithops, it is better to water less or not at all. This means that fertilization, like watering, should match the growth rate of these varieties themselves. The more a variety needs less watering, the less fertilizer it can be given. However, during cultivation, some succulents are also often given quick-acting fertilizers while increasing the temperature difference to promote growth, with remarkable results. Therefore, fertilization must be adjusted according to the growth condition of the succulents, which can create a virtuous cycle.

  In addition, there is another situation in which fertilization should be applied, namely when succulents are flowering.

  Plant flowering and fruiting consume a large amount of nutrients, not just the phosphorus fertilizer we mentioned earlier. Flowering and fruiting is an important life cycle for plants, so whenever this time comes, all the tissues of the plant will cooperate with this important action of reproducing offspring. This includes: the stem will thicken to prevent lodging caused by the weight of flowers and fruit; the root system will reach deeper to help absorb more nutrients; some plants will even shed leaves appropriately to avoid blocking insect pollination and fruit exposure to light.