you might want to try the fruit forum.. they do things much different than the tree peeps ... as in i never heard to storing scion in a freezer until spring.. ken

The reason I am concerned about getting the milkweed out of the container is because it is a nice sprig of currassavica that was tightly inserted into a sealed water container. This caterpillar pupating took me by surprise - I thought he was undergoing his final moult - so I didn't want to bother him when he was hanging from the top. So there is also frass in there. I don't want things to get moldy or infected. I think I will do as you suggested - very carefully remove the band and lift the chrysalis attached to the mesh, and place it over another disinfected container and secure it with a flat elastic band, which is easier to control than just a rubber one. I have a pretty delicate touch and will likely be successful - I guess I am just nervous, doing this for the first time. Thanks so much for your advice!!

Wait. Don't disturb them yet. They may have just leafed out with stored energy as Countrygirl said but if they are rooting you don't want to break any of those tiny roots by trying to re-pot them. You want a nice big healthy root ball before you do that. I like to use clear plastic cups for my cuttings so I can see when they are rooting. I wait until the cups are full of roots before I move them up to bigger pots.

I thank all of you for your help. This morning I took out the problem succulents and brushed off the dirt as best they would allow. Could you help me identify what is root rot, how do the roots look if they're healthy or if they are rotted? The smaller succulents at the bottom all have relatively shorter roots, and the soil around them was dry. The bigger succulent in the top photo had tightly compact soil around its roots that I found almost impossible to break off without tearing out all its roots with it! It was completely bone dry, I think that is what you all meant by hydrophobic; it was so tight and dry no water was getting through. In the photo you can see some water droplets, where I sprayed lightly with a spray bottle onto the dry soil. All the arrangements you see above are temporary, my main goal is to prepare them all for the nice, larger planter I am creating. I live outside of the US, so I am afraid any brand names or chain stores you mention won't be of any use to me, 'tis why I am trying to make with the best I have, or find similar products by other names. I do realize I have regular potting soil, I went out and got some grit, like small pebbles and clean sand, witch which I plan to mix it altogether like suggested.