Help moving to gritty mix greatly appreciated!

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

First, thanks so much to those who share your expertise and experience! I've learned so much here recently! (after making several mistakes)

Summary:
I would appreciate any guidance on repotting succulents from various soils to gritty mix. Is this correct?
* Get all soil off the roots. Rinse with sprayer if needed. (How important is this? I'm concerned about damaging the roots)
* After potting, don't water for 2 days.
* Keep out of sun for [how long?]

Any other tips or advice?

---
Background:
2 summers ago I was given some succulents that had been in full sun in Iowa. I didn't know *anything* about succulents and am not a green thumb for house plants. I planted them together in a couple of plastic pots with drain holes in soil mixed from: good dirt from the yard, packaged garden soil, and sand. (all free) And put them outside where they got mid-day sun in southern Wisconsin. They did amazingly well that summer and last summer – all thrived. I brought them in over winter and they got morning sun through glass. Then, I got succulent fever after seeing fallen leaves and plantlets grow. But things aren't going well this year. I put the plants out this spring and left for a week and when I got back they were sunburned. :( I decide to repot, and spend some money this time and bought succulent soil and also some cuttings and small succulents. (yes, I kept them out of the sun for a while) … Then I did more research and see the straight succulent soil is not good. :( Indeed in my environment, it stays moist too long – even getting moldy on top. I've decided to change to gritty mix.

Plants:
So now I have a variety of succulents of various ages and backgrounds that I want to repot in gritty mix -- for example:
1. From the first batch originally in soil & sand mixture (I didn't do much to the roots when I repotted them a few weeks ago), my best guess at identification:
* Jade with complex, tangled root ball
* Aptenia cordifolia
* Pachyphytum
* Graptopetalum paraguayense
(and Kalanchoe laetivirens – but I'm not worried about them, since I have so many babies :-)
2. Purchased this spring, so went from grower soil (without getting it off) into the succulent soil:
* Faucaria Felina
* Senecio 'mini blue' chalk fingers
* Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora
3. Cuttings and baby plants from leaves:
Echeveria shaviana, Crassula Argentea ''Hummel's Sunset' Golden Jade Ovata, Crassula Mucosa Lycopodioides 'Watch Chain', Lampranthus Deltoides 'Pink Ice Plant / Sandstone Vygie, Crassula tetragona 'Mini Pine Tree', "Crassula 'Baby Necklace' rupestris, Crassula ‘Jade Necklace’ rupestris Hybrid", Echeveria hybrid, Graptosedum Hybrid, crassula 'campfire', senecio haworthii.

Should I do anything different when repotting any of these specific plants?

Thanks for any advice!

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Comments (3)

ewwmayo
7 years ago
Here are my thoughts on your questions:

Get all soil off the roots. Rinse with sprayer if needed. (How important is this? I'm concerned about damaging the roots)
- This is very important. Healthy plants can easily withstand a good spraying and manipulation to remove all the old soil.
- You will not be able to take advantage of your new improved mix without completely removing the old sand/soil.
After potting, don't water for 2 days.
- Usually I wait a week. There is no real rush to water after repotting, unless the plant is extremely dehydrated (which watering should be done very carefully).
Keep out of sun for [how long?]
- Keeping completely out of the sun isn't necessary, but newly potted plants should be in a more protected/shady area so they can get a good amount of light, but do not dehydrate too quickly before the root re-establish themselves.
- I have spots in my growing areas that I know are a little lower in intensity and put newly potted plants there first. Maybe I would call this 'bright shade' or 'moderate shade'? All depends on your growing conditions really.
Any other tips or advice?
- You have a big list of many succulent species that have varying watering needs. For example, Faucaria felina should get a much different gritty mix than your Crassula mucosa.
- Doing a bit of research on each will give you a better idea on how to customize the mix for each pot.
Shawna (5a WI,USA) thanked ewwmayo
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Do not worry about handling the roots and plants - don't be excessively aggressive, but just do what needs to be done. One more lost root will not be missed if that should happen, and it often doesn't...plants are usually not as fragile as we think.

Great advice by Kevin - nothing to add :)

What is your gritty made of?
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Shawna (5a WI,USA)
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks so much!

I will do more research on the needs of the specific species.

I'm starting with http://www.bonsaijack.com/succulent_soil_111_gritty_mix.htm -- 33% 1/4 Bonsai
Block(calcined clay), 33% 1/4 Pine Bark Fines and 33% Turface

Help moving to gritty mix greatly appreciated!

Comments (3)

ewwmayo

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a

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Help moving to gritty mix greatly appreciated!

Comments (3)

ewwmayo

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a

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