Early morning sunshine into the windowsill, you carefully removed the succulent from the old pot, watching those entangled roots stretch out, and replaced it with new soil, a sense of accomplishment! But then a question pops up: Should you water after turning the pot over or not? Some say to immediately water, some say to wait a few days, simply making people tangled to the point of no return. Don't panic, today is for you to unveil the mystery of succulent watering after turning pots, so that your succulent in the pot after the smooth “home”, rubbing long non-stop! 

Why is watering after turning pots so critical?

Turning pots for succulents is like a “move”; the root system may be subject to different degrees of damage, especially those aging, rotting roots are pruned, the wound needs time to heal. At this time, if you do not water properly, it is like pouring sewage on a freshly injured wound, which can easily trigger infection and lead to root rot. However, it is not good to completely disregard watering; the right amount of water can help the new soil and root system closely together, providing a boost to the succulent's recovery. Therefore, watering after potting is a key step in determining whether succulents can be successfully potted.

Should I water my succulent after repotting? It depends on the situation.

Situation 1: Healthy root system, no damage

If the succulent's root system is intact, and there is no root pruning, just because the potting soil is stagnant or the plant has grown up and needs to be changed to a bigger pot, then you can water it once right after turning the pot over. Water should be poured slowly along the edge of the pot until the water runs out from the bottom of the pot, which will allow the new soil to fully fit the root system, reduce the soil gap, and help the succulent quickly adapt to the new environment. However, it should be noted that after watering, put the succulent in a well-ventilated place with diffused light and avoid direct sunlight.

Situation 2: Trimmed the root system, and there is a wound 

When the succulent root system appears to be aging, rotting, or winding seriously, we will prune it, and then the root system will have a wound. In this case, you must not water immediately after turning the pot; you need to let the succulent “dry roots” 3 - 5 days, so that the wound can heal. Wait for the wound to dry, and then plant the succulent into the new soil, at this time do not rush to water, after another 1 - 2 days, see the surface of the potting soil is dry, a small amount of water along the edge of the pot, so that the soil can be slightly moist, the purpose is to stimulate the root system to resume growth. 

Situation 3: Succulents are in a special period

• Dormant period: If the succulent is in a dormant state when you turn over the pot, such as some succulent varieties during the summer heat, it is recommended that you do not water for the time being after turning over the pot, and then water a small amount when the succulent awakens from dormancy and begins to show signs of growth. 
• Seedling: Seedling succulent root system is fragile, even if the root system is intact after turning pots, do not water a lot, you can use spraying to make the soil slightly moist, to avoid the root system being impacted by the impact of water. 

The correct way to water after turning over the pot, and the precautions

Watering time has to be careful

In either case, watering after turning over the pot should be avoided in the strong midday sunlight. Choosing the morning or evening, when the temperature is suitable, can reduce the water evaporation is too fast or too slow on the succulent. Watering after turning the pot in winter should be selected at noon on a sunny day, and to ensure that the water temperature is similar to the room temperature, to prevent cold water from stimulating the root system. 

Watering methods should be precise

• Root fixing water: For succulents with undamaged root systems, use a thin spouted watering can to water thoroughly along the sides of the pot, letting the water slowly seep into the soil, and do not directly wash over the plant's leaves, especially at the center of the leaves, to prevent stagnant water from rotting. 
• Watering in small amounts: For succulents that have had their roots pruned and wounds healed, the first watering should be small, only letting the surface of the soil 2 - 3 cm wet, and then gradually increasing the amount of watering according to the dryness of the soil.

The choice of soil is fundamental 

The choice of soil when turning over pots has a big impact on the effectiveness of watering, and the right soil will reduce the risk of root rot after watering. We recommend The One Bloom's Succulent Turning Soil, which is a mixture of 50% granular soil (volcanic rock, vermiculite), 30% peat soil, and 20% coco coir. It is very breathable and drains well, and even if you water a little too much, it drains away quickly, providing a good environment for your succulent's roots to grow.

Maintaining Succulents after Watering

Light Management

Succulents that have just been watered should not be placed in direct sunlight, but should be placed in a location with diffused light, such as a north window sill or a bright place indoors, to avoid the strong light that causes the leaves to lose water and shrivel up. After the succulent has been potted (about 1 - 2 weeks), gradually increase the light. 

Ventilation

Good ventilation speeds up the evaporation of soil moisture and reduces the possibility of root rot. You can put the succulent in a well-ventilated place, such as near a window or a fan, to let the air circulate and help the soil maintain the right humidity.

Observe the growth status

After turning over the pot and watering, closely observe the succulent's growth status. If the leaves are full and shiny, it means the potting is going well; if the leaves are wrinkled and soft, it may be due to lack of water or the root system has not yet recovered, so don't be in a hurry to water, check the soil dryness and moisture and the root system before making a decision.

Common Problems and Solutions

What should I do if I water after turning over the pot, and the leaves melt?

This is most likely due to overwatering or poor ventilation. Immediately stop watering, remove the succulent from the pot, and check the root system for rot. If the root system is rotted, cut off the rotted part, sterilize it, and repot it in dry soil and put it in a ventilated place to dry out.

I haven't been watering since I turned the pot over and my succulent leaves are badly wrinkled?

When the succulent leaves are badly wrinkled, it means that it has been dehydrated. You can use a spray bottle to spray water on the soil surface and around the plant to increase the air humidity, and then water a little bit in small quantities to make the soil slightly moist after the leaves have recovered a little.

Start the journey of revitalizing your succulent after repotting

Repotting is a great opportunity to revitalize your succulent, and mastering the watering techniques after repotting can make this “new life” go more smoothly. The One Bloom not only provides high quality succulent-specific repotting soil, but also a wide range of pots that are suitable for different varieties of succulents, so your succulent has a comfortable “new home”. From pot turning to watering, treat every step with care, and you will find that the succulents will reward you with full leaves and vigorous growth. Take action now and give your succulent a complete “new look”!