Senecio peregrinus, sometimes known as “string of dolphins,” is a rare succulent with leaves in the shape of dolphins that dangle long and gracefully over the plant pot. Knowing the steps of propagating string of dolphins is especially crucial. However, the key to growing and caring for plants after string of dolphins propagation isn’t as hard as it appears.
Luckily, for new gardeners, the String of Dolphins is a resilient succulent that is easy to propagate. It is a drought tolerant plant, a hybrid cross of the string of pearls and candle plant. Using well-drained soil, a decent rooting hormone, and a place in a room with indirect light will all help you grow one of the most unusual-looking plants you can find anywhere.
To guarantee your new plants flourish, you can use our guide to get all the tips and tricks for propagating string of dolphins in soil and water propagation. By the end, you’ll know all there is about soil propagation and other methods, along with other insights, tips, and tricks into Dolphin plant propagation. (Learn How To Propagate Pothos In Water)
When to Propagate String of Dolphins Plants
Start propagating it immediately if you have a plant and wish to prevent it from dying.
You’ll need to do this as no plant can be propagated if no healthy parts remain on the mother plant.
So, take your clean knife and select a healthy strand on your succulent plant.
Second, you can propagate from your dolphins’ plant if you wish to increase numbers or give a succulent plant as a gift.
Here, you’ll need to remove a strand from a healthy succulent plant just before the start of the plant’s growing season in the spring season or early summer.
What You’ll Need:
- A pair of scissors or a clean, sharp knife (cleaned with rubbing alcohol)
- A suitable new pot or container. Using terracotta pots or clay is recommended.
- Distilled water for propagating in water
- Well-draining potting soil for your pot
- Rooting hormone
- A suitable strand from your donor plant
How to Propagate String of Dolphins in Soil
There are two efficient ways to propagate a string of dolphins plant. First, plant stem cuttings in soil like any other plant.
This is a superior approach to propagating the plant because you can secure the stem cuttings while they are in one place, which keeps the roots robust.
When a healthy stem is severed for propagation, the plant forms a callus, or wound tissue. Let the cuttings callus for a few days. Make sure the soil is sanitized so the succulent may develop nicely.
Succulents need well-drained soil. You must ensure the mix has 50 percent sand and 50 percent compost or peat for enough moisture—water clumps around the roots in the soil, leading to root rot.
Drainage holes in the pot can help prevent root rot in propagating plants.
Bark and coco coir will help you water the plant better. Charcoal helps the plant produce roots so it can absorb nutrients adequately.
Here are the steps to follow for a string of dolphins’ propagation in soil. (Learn How To Propagate Bamboo)
Step 1: Take Cuttings
Take healthy cuttings from the main plant 3 to 5 inches long.
Use a clean pair of scissors or your sharp knife to do this. The cuttings must contain two or three nodes and originate from the plant’s stem.
These nodes are typically located where fresh leaves emerge, and your new plant’s roots will spread.
Step 2: Use Hormones – Optional
The cuttings’ edges can be dipped in a rooting hormone to promote healthy growth.
Step 3: Prepare Cuttings
Plant the stem cutting on top of the soil mixture, so they receive enough air and water drains properly. Your potting mix should be sandy or contain a small amount of perlite.
You want your string of dolphins’ propagation process to continue in this location, so once you see new roots develop on your stem cutting, keep the soil mix and propagated string moist.
Step 4: Place In Bright Light
Position the container with the soil and cuttings in a place with sufficient brightness and indirect sunlight. You can water it when the soil feels sufficiently dry to the touch.
To test for dryness, probe the top two inches of the soil. By placing your finger in the soil.
How to Propagate String of Dolphins in Water
The second effective method for growing this plant is in water. A string of dolphins propagation this way isn’t that popular for novice gardeners, yet it can be the quickest way to get results.
Another benefit is there isn’t as significant a risk of contracting bacteria or fungi.
Use a knife or pair of scissors to make the cuttings. You also need a clean container and healthy plant cuttings.
If you do it right, it won’t take over two weeks before you can see the roots. Then you must transfer them to well-draining soil.
Here’s the process.
Step 1: Choose A Healthy Leaf
Choose a strand from a healthy plant 3 to 5 inches long. Cut cuttings from the string of the dolphins plant’s base. There must be one or two nodes on these cuttings.
Step 2: Cut From Mother Dolphins Plant
Use clean scissors or a knife to cut the new plant.
Step 3: Put New Plant In Water
Place the strands in a jar filled with fresh water (rainwater or bottled water). Water with chemicals like fluoride or chlorine might harm the strand’s growth, so tap water is not the preferred solution. (Read Why Is My Calibrachoa Dying)
Step 4: Give Sunlight
A west-facing window with little direct sunlight and only water is a good place to keep the jar. Direct sunlight could heat the water where your indoor plant sits and harm the roots. Once plants form, as with soil, they will need at least six hours of sunlight daily.
Step 5: Change Jar’s Water Regularly
To ensure the cuttings receive nutrition and oxygen, change the water every few days to a week to replenish nutrients.
In a few weeks, you will observe new roots that grow lengthy and resemble tendrils. Then you must transfer it into a container with soil that drains nicely. The procedure is now familiar to you. The situation is the same as previously.
Things to Remember
Succulent plants need less water than typical plants grown indoors. So, they’re good for newbie gardeners.
When spreading these dolphin succulent plants in soil, don’t give them too much water because root rot is dangerous. Water collects at the bottom, suffocating the roots.
Water, the plant until the excess water comes from the drainage holes and the well-draining soil.
How to Care For String of Dolphins after Propagation
Growing your Plant Outside
Although the string of dolphins in the hanging baskets outside your house looks magnificent, you need to consider where the basket will be placed and how much light the succulent low, bearing foliage will receive.
Fortunately, hanging basket succulents can be moved around, so try out a few different spots and see which one works best.
Growing your Plant Inside
To appreciate the elegance of the entire leaf and long trailing stems, many people who grow a string of dolphin succulents indoors place them on bookshelves and other high areas in the home.
Never forget to place the plant next to a window receiving four to six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Water
String of dolphins succulents demands normal water. However, their thin leaves can retain water, making them drought-tolerant plants.
The plant may not need watering for weeks or months during the fall and winter months. If your succulent needs water, tell its soul. Poke and rub the soil to see if it’s dry, wet, or humid.
Do not water the plant if the soil is damp, as this can promote root rot. Instead, string of dolphins succulents should be watered using the soak and dry method. Check the soil’s wetness daily to guarantee your plant care activities are completed on time.
Temperature
During the cooler months, the plant may grow in temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, in the summer, the string of dolphin succulents can endure temperatures as high as 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
These plants are lower than usual for succulents, but it doesn’t mean they’re cold-hardy plants. On the contrary, succulent leaves can freeze and blister, inflicting irreversible damage and scarring to plant tissue and killing the plant.
Keep your plant indoors in unpredictable weather, frost, or humidity. When strange weather is expected, move your plants indoors. (Read When To Transplant Black Eyed Susans)
Common Pests
Scale, spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs are frequent pests. Remove bugs and treat dolphin-shaped leaves with organic or homemade insecticide.
Root rot is the most common disease detected in a string of dolphins succulents. Root rot is caused by overwatering your plant or putting it in dense soil.
With a sharp, sterile knife, remove any damaged plant parts. Do not leave any broken leaves or roots on the plant.
Look for healthy leaves or roots if the plant is injured. Discard damaged plant parts and propagate healthy leaves and stems.
Lighting
Ensure your plant receives enough light to maintain robust, thick leaf tendrils. Though String of Dolphins may tolerate some sunlight, picking a bright space with indirect lighting is preferable. Too much sun might dry out your plant and burn the leaves.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take To Propagate String of Dolphins?
It typically takes the plant two weeks to grow visibly. As this plant is succulent, it will remain resilient once the replication process is effective.
Can You Propagate String of Dolphins from Leaves?
Yes, you can propagate a string of dolphin plants from leaf cuttings. However, to avoid plant poisoning, ensure the leaves are mature and healthy and in indirect sunlight.
The plant should ideally be irrigated a day or two before the leaves are harvested so that they are juicy, and you have a better chance of successfully spreading them.
How Do You Make String of Dolphins Grow Faster?
Repotting is the secret to making a string of dolphins grow more quickly. Compared to other indoor plants, these plants are a little more pot bound. That makes it easier for them to grow, but approximately three years after you first plant them, you must repot your string of dolphins if you see that the growth has slowed.
By repotting the plant, you may give it extra room and check on any illnesses that may wreak havoc at the roots.
