Root bound succulents

[robfir]

Hi everyone,

I bought these two hardy plants (photo below), which I think are succulents. Anyway they need bigger pots, but I think each small current pot has more than one plant in it - do you think I can break up the mass of roots in the current pots to plant them out separately, without killing them?
And I was thinking a good soil for these could be the cheapest soil from a Chinese shop mixed with some sand?

Any advice with this would be much appreciated,
Robert :)


Full size photo here.

[country boy]

Gently tap them out of their pots and have a look at the way they come away from the root ball. They look as though you could tease them apart with your thumbs... No Tools! You can always pop 'em back if you are not sure.

[chrissyboy]

Alternatively, you can take cuttings.
Allow the wound to dry out for a couple of days. Then transplant into your new soil and give them some water.
Place in a sunny spot and allow to dry out before you water them again.

By that time they should have some roots on them and can be grown away.
You can also increase succulents by taking leaf cuttings as well by using the same method.
It's possible to amass a large collection of succulents using this method. If I see a plant I like I just ask the owner if I can take a snip. It's a very rare day that I get a refusal.
A 50/50 mix of compost and horticultural sand should do the trick.


Good luck.
chrissyboy

[Nimrod]

I have an easter cactus (similar to Christmas cactus) which is similar though not the same as one of your plants.
I can take a leaf off suspend it just touching water and it will grow roots suitable for growing on.
Just like a hyacinth will make roots suspended over water.

[robfir]

Great replies everyone, thanks!

Regarding the cuttings and leaf-pulling: occasionally leaves fall off the one on the left without leaving a wound - I poke the end that was attached to the plant into soil and water it often - one of them has produced an adorably tiny little clone! :D
I'll hopefully buy some bigger pots later this week and try massaging that root ball; I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks again,
Robert.

[jhonie99]

We find that the easiest way of propagating is to immerse cutting in a glass or bottle of water until roots establish.

works very well with succulents.

Also works well with Figs, oleanders/adelfas.

[chrissyboy]

You may well develop a 'snipping habit'.
They are easy plants.

regards
chrissyboy

[chrissiehope]

We find that the easiest way of propagating is to immerse cutting in a glass or bottle of water until roots establish.

works very well with succulents.

Also works well with Figs, oleanders/adelfas.

Yes, I'm always shoving bits of any plant into water - nearly everything I've done it with has grown roots. My only problem is remembering to plant them on.....

[robfir]

All of your advice worked well! Those succulents now have incredibly tiny miniatures.
Thanks!