From my perspective, timing is everything. I need you to understand my natural rhythm. I am a succulent, storing precious water in my thick, swollen caudex. The ideal moment for this transition is during my active growth phase, which is late spring through early summer. The warm temperatures and longer daylight hours provide me with the energy I need to recover from the shock of being moved and to quickly establish new roots. Please do not attempt this in winter when I am dormant; my systems are shut down, and I will struggle immensely to heal.
My new pot is my castle, and its foundation is critical. I demand a container with excellent drainage holes. Being trapped in soggy soil is a death sentence for my roots, leading to rot. The size should be only one size larger than my current home—a pot that is too large will hold excess moisture for too long, which my roots cannot absorb. As for the soil, I crave a sharply draining mix. A perfect blend for me would be a standard cactus and succulent mix amended with extra perlite or coarse sand. This gritty environment mimics my native, arid home and allows my roots to breathe.
This is the most delicate part of the process. Please be gentle. Water me lightly a day or two before the repotting; this will make it easier to remove me from my old pot and help my roots hold onto some soil, reducing shock. Tip the pot sideways and carefully coax me out. If I resist, do not pull on my stem! You can tap the sides of the pot or run a knife around the inside edge to loosen the soil's grip. Once I am free, observe my root ball.
Now, you must be my doctor. Gently loosen the old soil from my roots with your fingers. This is your chance to check my health. Look for any roots that are black, mushy, or smell foul—these are rotten and must be carefully trimmed away with sterile, sharp scissors. Also, trim any excessively long or circling roots. This pruning might seem harsh, but it encourages me to grow a strong, new root system that will efficiently explore the fresh soil in my new pot.
Place a layer of fresh, dry potting mix in the bottom of the new container. The depth should allow me to sit at the same level I was growing at before; burying my caudex too deeply invites rot. Center me in the pot and begin gently filling in around the roots with your soil mix. Tap the pot periodically to settle the soil and eliminate large air pockets, but avoid compressing it too firmly. My roots need air spaces to thrive. Leave a small space at the top of the pot to allow for watering.
My recovery is now in your hands. Do not water me immediately! The repotting process inevitably causes small abrasions on my roots. Watering right away would expose these wounds to moisture and risk infection and rot. Place me in a warm, bright location with indirect light for about a week to allow my roots to callous over and heal. After this period, you can give me a thorough watering, ensuring the excess flows freely from the drainage holes. Then, return to your normal watering routine, always allowing the soil to dry out completely between drinks.
