After how long can a succulent be repotted after its roots are pruned? How long does it take for a pruned succulent to be moved back into a pot?

How long can succulents be repotted after their roots are pruned

If you want to know how long it takes to repot succulents after pruning their roots, here is a detailed introduction:

How long can succulents be repotted after their roots are pruned

Succulents need to be dried according to different conditions after their roots are pruned, generally 1-3 days before they can be repotted. After pruning the roots of succulents, it is necessary to dry the roots, as planting directly can easily lead to fungal invasion at the wound site, causing infection and seriously affecting the plant's growth.

In spring, when repotting succulents, pruning and drying the roots is essential, as drying the roots is an indispensable process in growing succulent plants. So why do we prune succulents' roots? And how long after pruning can they be repotted?

How long to wait before repotting after pruning succulents' roots

The drying time should be adjusted according to the condition of the plant. The drying time depends on the variety and condition of the succulent, generally 1-3 days before repotting. For example, in the case of Sedum succulents, the roots can heal in half a day to two days.

If it's a cut-off succulent, the time is determined by external conditions such as the air temperature and humidity in your planting area.

In southern regions like Guangzhou, it usually takes about 1 day in spring and summer for the cut to dry out completely. However, to be on the safe side, drying for more than two days will ensure it is completely dry.

Why prune succulents' roots before repotting

Enthusiasts know that most succulents need to have their roots pruned before planting. Pruning roots is not just about removing old roots, but also about helping the succulents adapt to the soil and climate after planting.

For succulents that have been cultivated for many years, it is also a good idea to slightly trim the roots before entering the growing season. This allows the plant to have better growth and development. Therefore, pruning roots actually serves two main goals: promoting new root growth and facilitating faster adaptation to the pot.

Why succulents need to dry their roots after pruning

① After pruning, succulents may have hidden wounds that need to heal.

For example, plants purchased online often have their roots pruned before shipping, and the seller may leave countless wounds exposed.

If you plant them directly in the soil without drying the roots, it may lead to decay and bacterial growth, which means your succulent will not survive for long. The reason for drying the roots is to ensure the health of the roots, prevent decay, and allow the plant to grow better.

② Proper pruning and drying can induce the growth of new aerial roots.

When growing succulent plants, whether choosing a pot or preparing the soil, it is important to ensure good drainage and aeration. This is even more important when repotting.

If a recently pruned succulent is planted directly, it will be difficult to root in the soil without enough aeration.

But after pruning and drying the roots, the succulent can root in the best condition, so repotting at this time will allow it to adapt faster.

In my own experience growing succulents, I believe it is necessary to dry the roots not only for online purchases or cuttings but also when repotting succulents.

Succulents are drought-tolerant plants. If the roots are not dried, the overly moist roots can easily become infected and decay.

And by drying the roots, we can also address small wounds on the succulents that we might not have noticed. After they have fully healed themselves, we can repot them, avoiding many potential issues later on.

The above is information about how long succulents can be repotted after their roots are pruned, for reference by green plant enthusiasts, hoping to solve your problems in green plant and flower management.