What Precautions are Needed for Planting Just-Acquired Succulents
The editor answers your questions about the precautions needed for planting just-acquired succulents in the field of green plants and flowers. Let's find out together.
What Precautions are Needed for Planting Just-Acquired Succulents
Many succulent enthusiasts start buying more plants at the flower market, and some also purchase them online. Caring for succulents is relatively easy. However, some succulent enthusiasts always encounter problems with the plants they buy. They often rot and die quickly. What is the reason for this?
Inspecting the Succulents
Newly purchased succulents come in several types. The more common ones are small black squares. These juicy roots are good, but the black square soil is relatively simple and has fewer nutrients, and many greenhouses also have scale insects. Therefore, it is best to take the succulents home and replace them with your own potting soil, checking for scale insects in the roots.
Some enthusiasts who buy more succulents online receive them without soil or even without roots. These succulents need to have their roots pruned to regenerate. Otherwise, the roots won't have the function of absorbing (S-Y) nutrients, which may affect the growth of the new succulent roots.
No matter what type of succulents you buy, if they were grown in a greenhouse, it's best to repot and replace the soil yourself, check for pests, prune the roots appropriately, and then place them in the pot. This is safer, the succulents will adapt better, and they can quickly become acclimated.
When repotting, the soil should be dry. Before repotting, stop watering. If the soil is dry, the succulent roots will be soft, making it easier to remove from the pot without damaging the roots.
Proper Root Pruning and Drying
For newly purchased succulents, it is best to prune the roots first to prevent pest infestations. If the roots are well-developed, only the main roots should be left, cutting off the lateral roots. They can also be cut in half. When pruning, remove some of the dead leaves from the bottom to reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests.
After pruning the roots, place them in a shaded and well-ventilated area to allow the wounds to dry. Many enthusiasts skip this step, which leads to many succulent roots rotting and eventually withering. This step is crucial, and enthusiasts should not worry about the succulents drying out, as it will be fine for a few days or even a couple of weeks.
Configuring Succulent Soil
Some granules should be added to the succulent soil. Generally, a mixture of 60% peat soil and 40% granular soil should be mixed evenly for planting. You can also add some slow-release or organic fertilizers, which help the succulents grow afterward. If you water the soil first, it will have some moisture. This way, you won't need to pour water to settle the roots, reducing the occurrence of root rot and bacteria. The moisture in the soil can stimulate the growth of new roots in succulents.
Repotting
Place it in a shaded and well-ventilated area. After a few days, put it in a place with some scattered light, which is beneficial for the growth of new roots. Once the succulent leaves regain their luster and vitality, you can water them normally and gradually expose them to sunlight, making the succulent leaves grow better and look more beautiful.
The above is a comprehensive explanation of the precautions needed for planting just-acquired succulents, hoping to provide a starting point to solve your green plant problems.