The String of Dolphins is an unquestionably stunning plant with its distinctive foliage that gardeners all around the world enjoy propagating from.
Why? Because propagating from this succulent is simple and uncomplicated, whatever your level of experience, and I’m here to help you every step of the way.
Whether you choose to propagate your succulents using soil or water, the end result will be vibrant, fresh succulents that are simple to maintain for and will unquestionably enhance any space in your house. In this article, I’ll be discussing everything you need to know about how to propagate string of dolphins.
Why Propagate String of Dolphins?
There are two main reasons for propagating a String of Dolphins:
Salvaging a dying plant is the first option. When things don’t go according to plan, gardeners frequently try to establish a new plant and start over.
Cutting a healthy tendril off the String of Dolphins will give you everything you need to grow a new plant, so it’s a very simple plant to save!
Second, because The String of Dolphins is such an easy-to-grow and pleasurable plant to have in your house, gardeners frequently propagate it. It can survive even if you neglect to water it because it is both tough and drought-tolerant.
Additionally, they are succulents, which have lovely, vivid green hues and aromatic blossoms. You won’t be adding any extra work to your weekly gardening routine because they are simple to maintain.
When Can I Propagate My String of Dolphins?
When answering this question, you must take into account two scenarios. Why am I propagating? you might wonder.
Act right away if it’s to save a failing String of Dolphins. After all, you can only propagate a plant using healthy parts. To start the propagation process, cut a healthy strand off using a clean knife.
You can take a cutting from a healthy plant to grow in your own time if you wish to expand your collection of houseplants.
The optimal time to do this is, however, right before the plant’s growing season, which in this case is spring or early summer.
By doing this during these times, you can be sure that the main plant won’t suffer too much when you take your cuttings.
Does String of Dolphins Have to Be Healthy to Propagate?
Have you been wondering when is the best time to propagate your string of dolphins? Are you wondering if your string of dolphins need to be healthy before you start propagating?
No, not totally, is the clear-cut response. Gardeners can save damaged or failing plants with the help of propagation. Nevertheless, you can only harvest leaf cuttings from your plant’s unharmed areas.
Time is of the essence if propagating from a failing String of Dolphins. Choose healthy tendrils, making sure to cleanly remove any decaying or damaged portions.
If your cuttings have any “dolphin-like” leaves near the bottom, it is always a good idea to remove them because you don’t want them to decay in the ground or water.
How Long Does It Take to Propagate String of Dolphins?
Since the string of Dolphins is a slow-growing succulent, you might be wondering how long it’ll take to propagate.
A string of dolphins could take up to two weeks or possibly longer for growth to become apparent.
Due of this, many gardeners may apply fertilizer to hasten growth and a rooting hormone to assist the cutting get a head start.
Be aware that succulents benefit from a little application of a diluted blend of fertilizer. A String of Dolphins will appear bald, stringy, and weed-like if it grows too quickly.
What’s the Best Conditions For String of Dolphins Propagation?
1. Bright, Indirect Light
You need to get your illumination just right to offer your propagated Strings of Dolphin the best opportunity.
Despite typically doing well in direct sunshine, this succulent plant’s cuttings are more susceptible to scorching and dehydration. Consider them as infants who initially require extra assistance.
Any new growth you notice on your cuttings could be discolored, have patches, or otherwise look withering if they receive too much direct sunshine. The dolphin leaves you have will resemble sardines more.
How do you deal with light then? A bright area with indirect light will be the finest illumination for your propagation to succeed.
You may always add protection to your plants by covering them with a net or other similar material to filter out dangerous rays, as I’ve already stated. You can gradually expose your cuttings to more natural light as they develop.
2. The Right Pot
The next step is to locate the ideal location for your propagated String of Dolphins.
I strongly advise selecting a terracotta or clay pot for your preparation needs because this plant likes well-drained soil. Why?
Clay pots are permeable, so the water won’t stay in them for very long. This makes them perfect for succulent plants like the String of Dolphins, whose roots do not do well in damp conditions and demand moderate watering.
Similar to this, clay pots aid in draining excess moisture from the soil and guard against root rot, which is a major factor in the failure of succulents.
Because terracotta pots are frequently longer and more sturdy than pots made of other materials, the String of Dolphins’ long, tendril-like roots could grow.
No matter what kind of pot you use, you must always make sure it includes drainage holes so that extra water may drain out.
3. Clean Pots and Tools
Consider plant propagation as a type of surgery, and the first rule of any surgery is to keep everything sterile and clean.
This means that the tablespace you are working on needs to be prepared and spotless beforehand. Before you begin propagation, all of your tools, including the jar or container, should be sterile.
Remember to disinfect each tool after use if you’re taking many cuts to prevent cross-contamination. When growing plants in soil or water, make sure the material is clean and free of germs and fungi.
I urge you to substitute distilled and filtered water for tap water. Fluoride and chlorine levels in tap water are frequently variable, which can prevent propagated cuttings from developing.
How to Propagate String of Dolphins
The String of Dolphins is one of the simpler succulents to work with, so don’t worry if you’re new to propagation. I’m going to recommend two basic routes: soil and water-based propagation.
Stem Cuttings Propagation in Water:
It’s simple and equipment-free to grow new plants by propagating existing ones in water. A glass or jar, some healthy specimens of your String of Dolphins plant, and sterile cutting tools (scissors/knife) are all you need to get started.
- Scout a suitable strand off your String of dolphins with a length of 3 to 5 inches. Use sterile scissors or knives to make precise cuts. To stop them from rotting, remove any low-bearing plants towards the bottom.
- Subsequently, immediately put the strand in a glass jar and add distilled or filtered water to it. Fluoride and chlorine are corrosive substances found in tap water that can harm a cutting’s development.
- Position it in a west-facing window, but watch out for excessive direct sunlight.
- To replenish nutrients and oxygen, change the water in the jar once a week.
- In the upcoming weeks, thin, long tendril-like roots should begin to form. Place in a container with soil that drains well.
When compared to soil propagation, the advantages of water propagation include being able to more easily observe root development and evaluate the health of cuttings.
Stem Cuttings Propagation in Soil:
A String of Dolphins plant can be multiplied using soil as well. Observing “the callus” is the essential factor to take into account when propagating using this method. A callus, or soft tissue, develops on the wound when the String of Dolphins is cut. The new roots are going to start growing here.
- Trim your String of Dolphins into a suitable strand that is between three and five inches long. A clean pair of scissors or knives should always be used, just to reiterate.
- Permit the formation of a callus, which may take up to two days.
- Set the cutting inside a pot filled with the soil mixture you’ve made.
- You can use a rooting hormone to encourage new growth by dipping the cutting’s tip in it.
- Only add water to the container when the soil feels dry to the touch, and keep it in a well-lit area with indirect sunlight.
The cutting is kept in place and its roots are strengthened as an added benefit of soil-based propagation.
The main consideration with soil propagation is that you must make sure the soil is fungus- and bacteria-free and ideal for growing succulents.
Pumice or perlite, which improves aeration and facilitates drainage, should be present in soil together with sand to prevent root rot.
How Can I Care For String of Dolphins After Propagation?
Have you just finished propagating your string of dolphins and worried about what you’re to do next for its care?
For the first few days of propagation, it’s crucial to keep your String of Dolphins in a room that receives indirect sunlight. A cutting’s leaves may become scorched by excessive direct light.
Furthermore, it may cause the soil and plant to dry up more quickly, making it more difficult to water in a way that maintains the proper balance. As the plant grows, I would suggest gradually exposing it to more light.
Best Pot For Strings of Dolphins
1. 4 Inch Terra Cotta Pots with Saucer
These pots have excellent durability and break resistance since they are manufactured of top-quality clay and baked at a high temperature of 1796°F. To ensure that the pots are not damaged during delivery, every box has passed the 3-foot drop test.
The four-inch-tall, four-inch-diameter clay planters are intended to contain herbs, succulents, and cacti. Plants and soil are not included; there are 6 individual pots in the bundle.
Each ceramic planter has a little drainage hole at the bottom, which improves drainage during watering and safeguards the wellbeing of your flowers or succulents. The saucers on the terra cotta pots allow you to place them on your balcony, windowsill, table, or desk for use.
Pros:
- Good looking pots
- Durable
- Crack resistant
Cons:
Conclusion
Indoor succulent plants called “strings of dolphins” offer a fantastic wire-like appearance. The Asteraceae family, of which they are a hybrid plant, is their home. They feature exquisite flowers and lengthy tendrils.