Repotting questions
Hi everyone!
I repotted 8 out of 10 succulents last night from their little plastic pots into 3 inch terra cotta pots. I used Rosy cactus/succulent mix for the soil. I was careful to inspect the roots and massage away some of the old soil. I hadn’t watered them in several days. I filled up the pot halfway, pressed down on the soil, added my plant, and then added some more soil around.
My issue is that the plants feel… wobbly? Like they’re not firmly in the soil? Is this supposed to happen? What do I do? #SucculentSquad #SucculentLove #Succulents
I repotted 8 out of 10 succulents last night from their little plastic pots into 3 inch terra cotta pots. I used Rosy cactus/succulent mix for the soil. I was careful to inspect the roots and massage away some of the old soil. I hadn’t watered them in several days. I filled up the pot halfway, pressed down on the soil, added my plant, and then added some more soil around.
My issue is that the plants feel… wobbly? Like they’re not firmly in the soil? Is this supposed to happen? What do I do? #SucculentSquad #SucculentLove #Succulents
8
@NoClue Here‘s a FYI on re-potting Succulents: The Proper Repotting Procedure
Prepare the Pot: Place a small screen or mesh tape over the drainage hole to prevent soil loss (terracotta holes can be large).
Add Base Soil: Add a layer of fast-draining succulent/cactus soil, filling it about one-third to halfway up.
Position the Plant: Place your succulent on top of this base layer. Adjust the amount of soil underneath so the base of the plant sits about 0.5 to 1 inch below the rim of the pot.
Fill the Sides: Fill in the remaining space around the root ball with more soil.
Gently Settle: DO NOT pack the soil down hard. Gently tap the sides of the terracotta pot on the table to allow the soil to settle and fill in gaps. Lightly press around the base of the plant just enough to stabilize it.
Add Top Dressing (Optional): Add decorative gravel or grit to the top, which helps support the plant and keeps the stem off wet soil.
Crucial Tips
Dryness: Ensure both the plant and the new soil are completely dry.
No Water Immediately: Do not water for the first 5–7 days to allow any broken roots to heal, preventing root rot.
Soil Choice: Always use a succulent-specific mix (usually contains a high amount of perlite, pumice, or sand).
By lightly tapping instead of heavily pressing, you keep the soil airy, which is essential for healthy succulent roots.
Prepare the Pot: Place a small screen or mesh tape over the drainage hole to prevent soil loss (terracotta holes can be large).
Add Base Soil: Add a layer of fast-draining succulent/cactus soil, filling it about one-third to halfway up.
Position the Plant: Place your succulent on top of this base layer. Adjust the amount of soil underneath so the base of the plant sits about 0.5 to 1 inch below the rim of the pot.
Fill the Sides: Fill in the remaining space around the root ball with more soil.
Gently Settle: DO NOT pack the soil down hard. Gently tap the sides of the terracotta pot on the table to allow the soil to settle and fill in gaps. Lightly press around the base of the plant just enough to stabilize it.
Add Top Dressing (Optional): Add decorative gravel or grit to the top, which helps support the plant and keeps the stem off wet soil.
Crucial Tips
Dryness: Ensure both the plant and the new soil are completely dry.
No Water Immediately: Do not water for the first 5–7 days to allow any broken roots to heal, preventing root rot.
Soil Choice: Always use a succulent-specific mix (usually contains a high amount of perlite, pumice, or sand).
By lightly tapping instead of heavily pressing, you keep the soil airy, which is essential for healthy succulent roots.
Once you water them (I don’t water repotted succulents right away either!), the soil will stabilize a bit, and then you can add a bit more and water it in well. They take a bit to settle in and root, so if you see someone leaning a bit, just gently adjust and pat down! They’re adorable and I love how you have them lined up!
@Ms.Persnickety thank you so much, this was very informative