How do you grow dolphin plant from cuttings?
To grow “String of Dolphins” from cuttings, use a sterile, sharp knife or pair of scissors. Remove a stem from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before placing on well-draining soil. Water whenever the soil has dried out completely. Click to see full answer. Beside this, why is my dolphin plant dying?
Can You propagate string of dolphins?
With its signature foliage, the String of Dolphins is an undeniably beautiful plant – and one that gardeners around the world enjoy propagating from. Why? Because whether you’re a beginner or expert, propagating from this succulent is both easy and straightforward – and I am here to guide you through it all.
Why grow a dolphin plant?
Growing dolphin plants as household selections adds a touch of oceanic ambiance, combined with ease of care and unique leaf forms. Learn how to grow a dolphin succulent and astound your guests with one of the cuter plant varieties available. What are Dolphin Plants?
How do you care for a flying dolphin plant?
Unlike other plants that make you jump into hoops to get its water needs just right, the flying dolphins have simple water requirements. The plump leaves that look like frolicking dolphins are in fact water storage units to help the plant brave the drought. During the summer months, you need to let the soil dry out before you water the plant.
How do I take a cutting from a dolphin plant?
Cuttings. To grow “String of Dolphins” from cuttings, use a sterile, sharp knife or pair of scissors. Remove a stem from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before placing on well-draining soil. Water whenever the soil has dried out completely.
Can you propagate string of dolphins from leaves?
The two basic methods for String of Dolphins propagation are: by using the scions (seedlings) that grow at the base of some species, through leaf cuttings (or whole leaves), and by cutting off pieces of stems or branches of the plant. Succulent propagation is relatively easy.
How long does it take to propagate string of dolphins?
Do not keep the pot under direct sunlight, but ensure it accesses enough light to provide the propagated String of dolphins is warm and moist. The leaves will begin to sprout after three to four weeks.
How do you start dolphin strings from cuttings?
String of dolphins can be easily propagated from stem cuttings in water or soil. Take cuttings that have at least 2-3 nodes along the stem for the best chance of success. The nodes can be found at the points where the leaves emerge from the stems and are where the new roots will grow.
How do you make dolphin strings Fuller?
The easiest way to make string of dolphins look fuller is to simply rearrange the layout of the strings. Trim a healthy string at the base of the stem and then insert this trimmed stem back into the pot at your desired location. Stem cuttings are the main propagation method for growing more dolphin succulents.
Is string of dolphins rare?
Dolphin Plant, or String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus), is a rare variety of trailing succulent that looks like a pod of leaping dolphins. This uncommon hybrid is a cross of String of Pearls (S. rowleyanus) and Candle Plant (Senecio articulatus).
How often should you water a dolphin plant?
Allow soil to dry out between watering. On average, plants need to be watered once per week in the growing season but only once per month in the dormant period. Dolphin plant care is quite easy and the succulent has few pest or disease issues.
Should you trim string of dolphins?
Prune string of dolphins to remove yellow or dying leaves or control the plant's trailing stems. Pruning string succulents can also encourage more growth. Some Senecio plants start growing multiple stems from the cut pruned vine. Or course, you can snip off leggy stems to help improve the plant's appearance.
Why do dolphins need to be propagated?
Dying String of Dolphins need Propagation. There are two main reasons for propagating a String of Dolphins: The first is by salvaging a failing plant. Often, gardeners will seek to grow a new plant and start afresh when things didn’t go quite to plan.
Why do gardeners propagate string of dolphins?
Secondly, gardeners often propagate The String of Dolphins because it is such an easy to grow, enjoyable plant to have in your home. It’s both hardy and drought-tolerant, meaning it can thrive even if you forget to water it. Not only that, but as succulents, they have a beautiful, vibrant green hue with fragrant flowers too.
How long does it take for a string of dolphins to grow?
The string of Dolphins is a slow-growing succulent and as such, it may take up to 2 weeks for signs of growth to appear, or even longer. For that reason, many gardeners apply a rooting hormone on the cutting to help give it a head start, and fertilizer to speed up growth.
How to protect string of dolphins from sunburn?
Ensure you propagate in a shaded area, as cuttings should never be exposed to direct sunlight. An easy fix for this is placing a net or burlap over the area , thus protecting your vulnerable String of Dolphins from sunburn.
What is the best way to water a garden?
Some gardeners like to add organic mixtures to the soil to help improve drainage even further. You can add substances like coco coir, bark, and perlite to improve aeration and manage your watering.
What hormones are used to grow string of dolphins?
Rooting Hormone. Root hormones can be used during propagation to stimulate root development and bolster your new plant. Generally, as String of Dolphins is slow-growing, a rooting hormone can give it just the head-start it needs. There are natural root hormones and synthetic hormones you can use.
What is the selling point of a string of dolphins?
One of the major selling points of the String of Dolphins is its vibrant, striking foliage. But if your String of Dolphins is looking sparse, exhausted, and worse for wear, it can be disheartening. Don’t worry. Your newly propagated plant can be revitalized easily. Consider the following:
String of Dolphins General Care Instructions
The String of Pearls requires more maintenance than the other succulents but the time and effort spent will be worth it. If you are considering getting yourself this new plant or found yourself owning one, here are the general care instructions to ensure that your Dolphins will happily thrive and grow.
Propagating the String of Dolphins
The String of Dolphins is one of the easiest succulents to propagate. And usually, gardeners and plant enthusiasts propagate to either salvage a failing or dying plant and allow the plant to multiply.
Tips for Success
Everyone wants their String of Dolphins to thrive and multiply because lush and healthy foliage provides you with that deep satisfaction knowing that you are doing the best you can for the plants.
Green Thumb Advice
The String of Dolphins is succulent to behold. It is charming in its way and requires very minimal maintenance. Don’t let your lack of experience and worries stop you from propagating this rare succulent.
When to Propagate String of Dolphins
This depends on the situation. In the first scenario, you already have a plant and want to keep it from dying, you should propagate it right away. That’s because you cannot propagate any plant if there are no healthy parts left. So, get a good, clean knife and pick a healthy strand of the plant. This is how you get started.
How to Propagate String of Dolphins in Soil
There are two efficient ways in which you can propagate a string of dolphins plant. The first one is in soil which can be done as you would with any other plant—using stem cuttings. This is a better way of propagating the plant because you can secure the stem cuttings while they are in one place which keeps the roots strong.
How to Propagate String of Dolphins in Water
The second way of efficiently propagating this plant is in water. This is not a popular way of propagating plants, especially for gardeners who haven’t done this before. But it works well for string of dolphins. That’s because roots will develop more easily compared to other ways.
A Couple of Things to Remember
The thing about succulents is that they don’t need to be watered as much as some other varieties of plants that can be grown indoors. That’s why they make for a good pick for gardeners who are still in the beginning stages of falling in love with growing plants.
How to Care For String of Dolphins after Propagation
After propagation, you need to care for the plant a little. That includes keeping the jar or container in a place that is bright but does not get direct sunlight. That will cause damage to the stem cuttings and the leaves will get scorched too.
FAQs
Typically, it takes about two weeks for the plant to start growing visibly. And since this plant is a succulent, it is going to be hardy once the propagation is successful.
How to keep dolphin plants healthy?
In addition to not overwatering, using well-draining soil is key to healthy dolphin plants. Also, use pots that have drainage holes at the bottom to allow excess moisture to escape. Altogether, this will help prevent situations where it will sit in water.
What temperature do dolphin plants need?
As with other succulents, the dolphin plant is accustomed to warm weather. And, it has evolved such that it isn’t hardy to cold weather. As such, it thrives in zones 7 to 11. Ideally, it does best when the temperature is between 70 and 75 degrees. But, it generally does well as long as you keep the temp between 50 and 80 degrees.
What is a dolphin plant?
Dolphin plants are actually a cross between the hot dog cactus and the string of pearls. And, by looking at it, you can surmise that it inherited its trailing nature from the latter and its uniquely-shaped leaves from the former. They grow up to 3 feet long spreading outward as they mature.
Is a dolphin plant a succulent?
You’ve probably never heard of the dolphin plant succulent. That’s because they’re rare and not commonly available in nurseries and stores. But, if you look hard enough, your efforts will pay off. That’s because the dolphin plant is a lovely looking trailing succulent with interesting looking foliage. Thus, making them an amazing addition ...
Can you add peat moss to dolphin plants?
Or, you can also amend the soil you already have with perlite and coarse sand to speed up the draining. Because dolphin plants do need more water than your regular succulent, adding peat moss helps retain more moisture for them as well. One interesting thing to note is that dolphin plants like crowded spaces.
Do you need to prune a dolphin plant?
Dolphin Plant Pruning. As with feeding, you don’t need to do a lot of pruning with this succulent. The only time you will need to do so it to keep them looking lovely. Dolphin plants are generally fast-growing.
Do dolphin plants need light?
But, their leaf windows allow them to tolerate conditions that have slightly less light. As such, they don’t have a problem as long as they receive full sun to part shade.
How tall do dolphin plants get?
The little dolphin leaves branch off of green stems that may reach several inches high (up to 15 cm.).
What do dolphin succulents look like?
These succulents develop leaves that quite literally look like tiny jumping dolphins. Growing dolphin plants as household selections adds a touch of oceanic ambiance, combined with ease of care and unique leaf forms. Learn how to grow a dolphin succulent and astound your guests with one of the cuter plant varieties available.
Can dolphin plants get rid of spider mites?
Dolphin plant care is quite easy and the succulent has few pest or disease issues. Spider mites may be a concern, as are mealybugs in certain climates. Diseases are generally confined to fungal problems, which can be prevented by correct watering, well-draining soil, and a container that releases excess moisture.
Do dolphin plants have pink flowers?
If you are lucky, they may even produce small, starry pink flowers. Like all succulents, these plants are tolerant of periods of dryness but will need to be kept moist enough to prevent the dolphin leaves from puckering. Choose a well-draining potting medium and use a container that is just a bit larger than the plant.
Is a dolphin plant a succulent?
Dolphin plants are hybrids that bring extra charm to a sea-themed planter. Their unusual leaf form has typical succulent plumpness with low maintenance and few growing issues. The main thing to remember is that the plant is a succulent and requires well-draining soil to thrive.
What is a Dolphin Plant?
The leaves of the plant look like dolphins, which makes it unique to other plants.
Scientific Name
The String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus) is a houseplant unlike any other. It’s a hybrid cross between String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) and candle plant (Senecio articulatus),
What Soil Works Best for a Dolphin Plant?
As with many other succulents and cactus family members, the Dolphin Plant thrives best in well-draining soil. You can also use a sand mix, a potting mix, or just regular succulent soil will work. Or, you could make your mix at home, combining two parts potting soil, one part pumice or perlite, and one part sand.
How Much Fertilizer to Use for a Dolphin Plant?
It doesn’t hurt to fertilize your String of Dolphins once to twice a year. Liquid fertilizer is the best choice owing to its ease of use and application. You can dilute the liquid fertilizer to half-strength and apply it evenly to the topsoil. If you want to use organic fertilizer, consider liquid kelp, worm compost, or fish emulsion.
How Much Sun Does a Dolphin Plant Need?
A string of Dolphins will require about six hours of direct sunlight each day. Of course, you may choose to plant String of Dolphins in the shade of your garden or under indirect light, and that is okay.
What Temperature Works Best for a Dolphin Plant?
The ideal outdoor temperature range for String of Dolphins is 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants need to move to a different area when the temperature hits below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The climate should reflect the environment of USDA zones 10-11; sunny, arid, and without humidity.
Do Dolphin Plants Enjoy Humidity?
A dolphin plant does best with average levels of humidity in a home. You don’t need to bring in a humidifier or anything like that to create a more humid environment for this plant.
How to germinate dolphin seeds?
Give your seeds the water test to make sure they are good. Drop them in a bowl full of water and wait for them to sink. Skim the floating seeds off and discard them. Dolphin plant seeds are not easy to germinate. So first you need to soak them in warm water with a temperature around 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Where do dolphin plants grow?
The thing about the dolphin plant is that it lives up to its reputation. As a native of Southwest Africa, this succulent will look as lively in a planter as it will in a hanging basket. In fact, due to its toxicity, a hanging basket is the ideal option here.
What is a dolphin plant?
The dolphin plant is known by many other names. In some places, people fondly call it the dolphin necklace while others know it simply as the flying dolphins of the string of dolphins. But whatever you like to call it, there’s no denying the ornamental value of this succulent that grows well both indoors and outdoors.
How to grow a sage plant from seed?
Keep the seeds soaked for one day. Fill a container with a general-purpose potting mix. Water it to get it moist. Spread the seeds on the top of the soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Don’t pack them in. Cover the container with a plastic sheet and make holes in the sheet for aeration.
What are the insects that eat dolphin leaves?
Since the leaves of the dolphin plant contain water, thirsty insects make this succulent their home. Aphids, spider mites, scale, and mealybugs all feed on the leaves and drain them of their precious sap. You can get rid of these pests the usual way. Use neem oil or soak a swab in rubbing alcohol.
How long does it take for a plant to germinate?
Sometimes germination might take a few months depending on how fresh the seeds are. When the seedlings are a few inches high, thin them out keeping only the healthy seedlings. Once the plant has two sets of leaves, you can move it to its own hanging basket or its permanent place in the garden.
What do flying dolphins need?
Water. Unlike other plants that make you jump into hoops to get its water needs just right, the flying dolphins have simple water requirements . The plump leaves that look like frolicking dolphins are in fact water storage units to help the plant brave the drought.
