A string of dolphins is a rare succulent plant. The plant leaves look similar to the leaping dolphins, which gave the plant its unique identity. The plant is a cross hybrid of the String of pearls and Candle Plant. Due to its unique characteristics, the plant requires special care.
What is a String of dolphins?
The String of dolphins is also known as the flying dolphins, dolphins necklaces, or Senecio Peregrinus. The plant becomes an instant hit in the Succulent category due to the unique shape of the leaves. It is easy to recognize the String of the dolphin’s plant. In the early days of its breeding, the plant was a success in Japan.
Japan had a high demand for the Sting of Dolphins as the house plant. The gorgeous dolphin leaves growing from the steamed vine grow quickly. It appears like the jumping dolphins. It is one of the magic of biology that takes place slowly in the biological process and produces beautiful-looking dolphin shape leaves.
How do I identify a String of dolphins?
You will never find such fantastic art of nature in any plant. When you see it closely, it may appear like it is crafted by hand and stitched to the actual plant to give it a dolphin’s look. People get mesmerized when they see such an excellent plant first time in front of them. While the plant is growing, you may have to maintain its shape to avoid it spreading across your garden. As the vine becomes more substantial, the more leaves it can hold and grows faster.
You will not find the vine on the tree in a few days, and the leaves will cover the entire plant. Your Dolphin succulent would look like a green flower set. It will spread like leaves of the ocean occupying each corner of the plant. Dolphins would appear like they want to escape from the vine and start moving in the sea.
The plant is a symbol of happiness and prosperity. Therefore, in many cultures, the Dolphin Succulent is gifted to someone you love the most, and you want them to grow financially and wish them to leave a peaceful life. The plant also grows small size flowers in the warmer months. These pink flowers look perfect. Sometimes they look like a star shape.
How to use A string of dolphins in your garden?
One single piece of the plant would be sufficient to cover the entire garden with the String of dolphins. The String of the dolphin’s unique shape is one of the characteristics that make the plant easily identifiable. The plant grows in a suitable environment and spreads horizontally. It grows around 15 centimeters vertically. Therefore, it is the best choice for the houseplant lover.
When you decide to buy the String of Dolphin, ensure that you are checking the plant’s essential features such as the steam size, the plant’s vertical height, spread horizontally, and, most importantly, leaving the plant. The leaves appear similar to the real dolphins. It seems they are jumping out of the seawater and splashing the water around. These common traits of the plant would help you get the right type of plant.
The string of dolphins care
Like any other succulent plant found on the earth, they are taking care of the String of dolphins is relatively easy. However, the plant is rare, and people who get them have to spend months to get their plant from the grower. Hence, it is better to have the proper care guide and system ready to protect the plant from unexpected events.
You may have to give extra care to avoid them getting any damage from internal or outer sources. The following guide will help you arrange the proper environment, so the plant would have enough time and suitable conditions to thrive.
Size
6 Inch (15 CM) height
Growth
Slow growth compares to other house plants found in the category.
Light requirement
Like any other plant, the String of Dolphin also needs an adequate amount of direct sunlight to generate photosynthesis to produce food for the entire plant. The bright, indirect sunlight would be a better condition for the plant. Early morning soft light with less heat and more brightness is also recommended.
If the plant is kept to the east-facing window, use the half shade light to provide sufficient sunlight exposure. Do not keep the plant under the afternoon sunlight, especially in the summer when the sun produces too much heat. The Sunlight may burn the leaves, and plant leaves may damage completely.
Temperature and humidity
It can survive at room temperature. Do not put the plant in a room where the room temperature reaches below 10 degrees.
Is it cold, hardy?
It is a soft succulent plant. It is never cold, hardy.
Zone
The plant is generally grown in USDA growth zone 10.
Watering the plant
When you water the plant, ensure that you dry out the soil completely. The wet soil rots the plant root, and your plant may die. Water the plant when under direct sunlight, so any water left in the soil will vaporize or quickly drain out.
Soil
Use only soil which is good for water draining. The plant requires dry soil to grow.
Flowering and Fragrance
It produces White color flowers with a fantastic fragrance to it.
Pot size Potting and Repotting
It can be planted in a small size pot.
Planting
The small size of the plant gives its perfect accommodation in the house. You can put them in a basket, or small size pot, or put them in the outdoor garden.
Fertilizer
Use the top-quality plant fertilizer every 6 months. Please do not overdo it as the plant may not consume the nutrition from the dry soil. It will affect the roots of the plant and can damage the entire plant.
Blooming
The Spring of Dolphin grows in the month between May to June. Sometimes it grows small size white and dainty color flowers.
Dormancy
The string of dolphins is dormant in the winter season. They are not frosted tolerant.
Other plants Pairs Well With
You can pair it with any other succulent plant.
Can be toxic to pets
Yes. Keep your animal away from the plant.
Handling the plant
Once the plant is mature, you do not have to take much care of it. Just water it on time and let the soil dry in time.
Common bugs and illness issues
Fungal issues can affect.
Special Care Tips
Dry soil is vital with regular water and direct sunlight.
How do you propagate a String of dolphins?
Following step by step guide would help you to propagate the plant using the steam cutting method.
- Take the Sharp knife and cut the 5 inches of healthy and sturdy steam.
- Once you have the stem in your hand, remove the bottom leaves carefully without damaging the stem.
- Now take the car and pour the fresh water into it. The jar should be big enough to submerge the entire stem in it.
- Put the stem in the jar of water.
- In a couple of weeks, the stem will have small roots.
- If you find the water becoming dirty, you can replace the water regularly. Do not keep the stem dry else. The roots will never develop. The stem should be in the water for sufficient time to produce the roots in the natural process.
- Once you have the completely developed roots on the stem, it is time to have the well-draining soil pot where you will place the plant.
- In a few weeks, the plant will start growing, and it will develop a more healthy stem which will become the base for leaves.
How do you re-pot a String of dolphins?
A string of dolphins grows slowly. They don’t require re-poting for a very long period. Generally, the repotting time comes when the plant has grown the leaves significantly large and also stem widespread. The pot may not handle the growing plant weight, so you may have to remove them and put them in a large size container.
The plant may take more than 2 years to reach its peak point. Until then, the plant will stay comfortably fine without any damage. Use the pot large enough to settle the entire mature plant. It must have a proper drainage system with sufficient soil to hold the plant in the ground.
While repotting, check for any time of disease or the bug on the root. If you find any color change or disease, do not be afraid to cut the portion of the root before placing the plant back in the new large-sized pot. The plant’s new home would encourage fast growth and allow the roots to spread their branches in the free space and extend the growth.
Ensure that you are not overwatering the plant. The soil should get dry entirely after the repotting is done. Keep the pot under direct sunlight after the repotting. In a few days, the beautiful String of Dolphin will settle down in the soil and continue its life journey without any trouble.
A string of dolphins plant benefits
More people are these days growing the String of Dolphins in their backyards. They kept the plant handing around the corner in a protected place where the plant can comfortably thrive. They are very cuties plants on the earth. The shapes of the leaves can grab the attention of the viewer easily. They look like jumping dolphins trying to escape the water and want to fly in the air.
It also produces small size pink flowers which look stunning around the dolphin leaves. This is another reason why people choose to have the String of Dolphin in their garden collection. The plant doesn’t require much maintenance. So it saves a reasonable amount of time. If you are a frequent traveler, then arrange the water supplier periodically to the plant, and it will keep flourishing without needing you to be physically present in the home.
Is String of dolphins an indoor plant?
Yes. The String of the dolphin plant requires moderated warm temperature. They are not frosted tolerance, so you have to keep them indoors to avoid damaging their stem and leaves in the cold weather.
Is the String of dolphin plant toxic?
Unfortunately, the String of dolphins has found some toxic substances which are harmful to the animal. The animal eats the leaves, and they may develop serious health problems. Also, keep the plant out of reach from toddlers and children. The plant is mildly toxic to humans as well.
Does String of dolphin succulents need direct sunlight?
No. The plant doesn’t require direct sunlight all the time. Too much heat could damage the plant’s leaves as it may dry out the essential nutrition, and the plant may not survive for long. The moderated warm condition with morning and evening sunlight under the shade would be sufficient for the plant to thrive.
Can a String of dolphins be rooted in water?
Yes. When you are propagating the plant, cut the stem and put them in the water for a few weeks until you see the new roots taking place on the stem.
Should I mist my String of dolphins?
Yes. In the early stage of plant growth, you can mist the soil to provide sufficient nutrition to the plant as well as control the humidity in the soil.
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