Reseeding and Potting However, you need repot a string of dolphins every few years to change the potting mix and enlarge the pot—typically one size larger. To avoid root rot and saturated soil, use a pot with enough drainage holes.
When should a dolphin plant be repotted?
Although the String of Dolphins prefers to be slightly pot-bound because it produces better blooms, repotting this trailing succulent once every three years in the spring will not only give it more room to grow since you’ll be using a larger pot for its new vessel but also allow you to clean any infection from its roots in the process.
Here are the materials you need to gather first:
- Before repotting, give your String of Dolphins water for 24 hours. This will lessen the chance of transplant shock to the plant.
- A nice set of gloves so that you won’t contaminate your hands
- One size bigger than the old pot is the new one.
- Terracotta pots are highly advised since they assist absorb extra soil moisture. To reduce the possibility of root rot and wet soil, make sure it has enough drainage holes.
- a potting medium that is permeable and well-drained. It is strongly advised to use a mixture of 50% perlite and 50% soil mix, or 40% coco coir, 20% perlite, and 15% orchid bark.
- First step: Gently take the String of Dolphins out of its old pot. To help it slip out without significantly injuring the roots, tilt the pot sideways and lightly touch the bottom and sides.  
- Step 2: Examine the roots with your fingertips and pry them loose. It is preferable to remove at least an inch of the root ball from your String of Dolphins if you see that the roots have become excessively thick. In order to encourage fresh root growth and help the plant fill the soil in its new pot, be careful to cut through the tangled roots with a clean, sharp knife.
- Step 3: Add soil mixture to the bottom 1/4 of the new pot. It is preferable to apply a thin coating of grit to the pot’s base for better drainage and to promote a stronger root system.
- Step 4: Insert the root ball into the container and fill in the edges with additional soil. The top ridge of the pot should ideally remain above the soil line because irrigation may cause water to run off. Additionally, ensure that the potting media fills the tiny area between the roots and dirt by giving the pot a gentle shake and tap.
After you’ve finished repotting, be careful to give your String of Dolphins good care until it stabilizes from the stem to avoid any difficulties. Since overwatering may attract pests, make sure the soil is dry between waterings.
Can a string of dolphins be propagated from a single leaf?
Yes, you may grow string of dolphins plants from leaf cuttings. Make that the leaves are in good condition and came from an established plant.
To increase the likelihood of successfully propagating the plant, the plant should ideally be irrigated a day or two before the leaves are harvested.
Will String of Dolphins Grow Back?
They do, indeed. Succulents are very simple to grow and maintain. They require a suitable location with indirect sunshine. Additionally, you must water it just enough to prevent overwatering or underwatering.
The good news is that in both of those situations, you will receive clear warnings, allowing you to adjust your trajectory just in time and preserve the plant. Additionally, you must guarantee that the minimum acceptable humidity level in the space where they are growing.
Growing and maintaining a string of dolphins is as simple as growing any other succulent if these conditions are met.
How Do You Make Dolphin Strings Grow Faster?
Repotting is the secret to helping 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, if you see that the growth has slowed, you must repot them.
By repotting the plant, you may give it extra room and check on any illnesses that may be wreaking havoc at the roots.
What might a group of dolphins that were overwater look like?
Succulent hanging houseplants called “string of dolphin plants” are low maintenance. You shouldn’t have many growing issues as long as the plants receive adequate sunlight and aren’t sitting in soggy soil. However, some maintenance problems can result in withering growth or brown or yellow leaves.
Why is my string of dolphins flat?
If the plant receives excessive moisture, the little dolphin-shaped leaves may begin to flatten. Wait to irrigate the soil until it is completely dry before doing so. The dolphin leaves should regain their bent shape and resemble tiny dolphins leaping out of the ocean.
Why is my string of dolphins turning yellow?
Overexposure to the sun usually causes dolphin plant leaves to turn yellow. The curving green leaves may become pale green or yellow due to leaf bleaching caused by prolonged exposure to strong sunshine. Remove your plant from the sun to help it recover.
Why does string of dolphins turn brown?
Underwatering or overwatering may be the cause of the brown string of dolphin leaves. Check the soil’s dryness and modify your watering strategy as necessary.
If the plant is excessively thirsty or receives too much sunlight, the leaf tips may become brown.
Why is my dolphin plant dying?
The most frequent causes of a dolphin death string are overwatering or extreme underwatering.
Withholding watering till the soil dries out will help a string of dolphin succulent plant that is near death due to overwatering.
Sprinkle some water on the potting soil to help it come back to life if the dirt is dry and the dolphin leaves appear withered.
How should a dolphin string be cared for indoors?
For this home plant, a sunny windowsill is ideal. The plant will also flourish in a west-facing window with daylight from midday to sunset. A south-facing window is great because it receives sun from morning till midday. If you don’t have a window that gets enough direct sunshine, you can also keep it under a grow lamp.
Why are the dolphins in my string rising higher?
This is a defense mechanism that the String of Dolphins Plant, like other plants, has to survive in the absence of light. If your String of Dolphins starts to grow upwards, lean toward the light, or elongate toward a window, it is a sure sign that it is not getting enough sunshine. The plant’s stem and leaves extend in the direction of the light. The stem may swell and the crevices between the leaves may widen, as well. In this situation, plant growth tends to slow down. By increasing the plant’s exposure to light, we advise moving its location. The desired result takes several months to materialize, but at least the plant will quit exerting additional energy to get to the light. This will maintain its health. Direct sunlight exposure is not advised, rather gradual exposure if the Dolphin plant has grown longer. Imagine that this elongation mechanism was the plant’s attempt to compensate for the lack of light. It may also be impacted if it then starts to get excessive light. Make adjustments gradually.
Should I bottom dive with my dolphin string?
Senecio Peregrinum is a need for anyone who collects succulents. It may be difficult to locate and a little rare, but the hunt is well worthwhile. Although Dolphin Strings require a little more moisture and a little less direct sunlight than some other succulents, they are still fairly simple to grow.
String of Dolphins thrives best with benign neglect, like the majority of succulents. They really don’t require much attention. These plants are wonderful for novices or those who don’t have a lot of time to care over houseplants because they require extended lengths of time between waterings, a little amount of fertilizer every now and then, and a sunny setting.
Select a Pot With Drainage Holes
Prior to using a pot, check to see if it has drainage holes. Because the clay helps wick moisture away from the roots, we use terracotta pots. Use a medium-sized pot; a larger pot won’t let the soil to dry out as rapidly, which could cause the roots to rot.
Well-Draining Potting Mix
String of Dolphins should be planted in a well-draining cactus and succulent potting soil because this succulent requires good drainage. Alternately, you can create your own custom mixture of succulent soil by combining 3 parts potting soil, 2 parts coarse sand, and 1 part perlite.
Indirect Sun
Put your plant in bright, filtered light, but avoid direct sunlight. Lack of light will cause the leaves to lose their dolphin shape. The ideal location indoors is a north or east-facing window.
Deep But Infrequent Waterings
Between waterings, allow the soil to totally dry out. Bottom irrigation by soaking it in the sink or a bucket would be beneficial for a group of dolphins. Bring the plant to your kitchen sink and water it there by letting the water run through the pot and out the drainage hole. Repeat this twice. During the summer, water once a week; in the winter, once a month (give or take). Keep the water in the pot saucer moving.
Balanced Fertilizer
Senecio peregrinus is like the majority of succulents in that it requires little to no fertilizer. This succulent only need watering once or twice a year, during the growing season. There are specialized fertilizers for succulents. Use half the suggested amount of your standard balanced houseplant fertilizer, such as 8:8:8 or 10:10:10. Again, a slow-release fertilizer would function if diluted only half as much as is advised. While fertilizing the soil, be careful not to get any on the plant itself.
Avoid overeating. The leaves could lose their dolphin shape if you do. Additionally, fertilize after repotting if you are doing so in the spring.
How frequently should dolphin strings be watered?
For optimal results, water the dolphins around once per week. But when they are dormant, a string of dolphins uses a lot less water (as low as one watering per month). Although this gorgeous succulent doesn’t require frequent waterings to stay healthy, they do assist preserve the curve of the leaves. Lack of water causes a string of dolphin leaves to pucker and distort.
- When your string of dolphins is actively expanding, water it once every week.
- When your dolphin string goes into dormancy, cut watering down to once a month.
- Once the top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil feel dry to the touch, the string of dolphins needs to be watered.
Testing the soil’s dryness is the best way to determine when to water a string of dolphins. It is time to water when the top 12 inches (2.55 cm) of the soil are dry. The simplest approach to determine this is to stick your finger into the ground and feel for dryness. A moisture meter can also be used if you wish to keep your hands sanitized. To determine when to irrigate your dry soil, use this moisture meter.
Why are the dolphins on my string falling flat?
One of my favorite succulents is the Senecio peregrinus, sometimes known as the string of dolphins. I adore how the leaves, which are shaped like dolphins, appear to leap from the stems as though they are riding waves in the sea. They look beautiful together when I plant them with a string of fishhooks since it feels appropriate. I occasionally have an odd sense of humor.
They were also a part of my all-time favorite container garden that I had ever created. How do you feel about my imaginary garden? I refer to it as “Dolphins and Dragons.” Although it may use a little more sunlight, the succulent I planted in March 2019 at our first-ever Premier Succulents workshop is now delightfully filling out. (There was also a regrettable event involving a fallen pot soon after I got this garden home, which ripped off half the leaves on the aeonium and crushed the calico kitten crassula, but that’s a story for another day. Maybe.)
Senecio rowleyanus (string of pearls) and Senecio articulatus (candle plant), two additional senecio species, were crossed to create this hybrid, which prefers strong light and, appropriately, a little more water than most succulents. I’ve discovered that it’s essential to avoid letting the soil totally dry out in between waterings since otherwise, the dolphins tend to shrivel and die. Its appeal is increased in the spring when little flowers start to bloom.
Like its pearl parent, the string of dolphins contains “windows” that you can use to determine whether it is sufficiently hydrated. If your dolphins’ tops are tightly closed, you might need to add a bit more water. Your dolphins are fully hydrated if they are flattening out, thus you can probably reduce their water intake a little. The picture below shows a dejected, flattened dolphin. Some of the elder leaves look a little strange because that specific cutting struggled to get going, but that’s alright. Here, weird and unique are welcomed.
Simply pinch the stems and plant the cuttings directly into the soil to promote the growth of your dolphins. The original plant will branch where it was pinched, and they root easily, especially in the late summer and fall.
The tiny dolphins that are forming on the stems are, in all honesty, some of the most delightful and lovely propagation I’ve ever done. New leaves are usually fascinating, but here is a picture of some little dolphins. Decide for yourself.
The leaves can grow to be approximately 3/4″ long and 1/4″ wide as they get older, and, astonishingly, we’ve had some success rerooting individual leaves here in the greenhouse. We tested it since we are always up for an experiment and can’t help spreading if given the chance. We had believed that stem cuttings would be necessary; nevertheless, leaves also work and are just as effective. Old, thick leaves occasionally have the ability to reproduce, however it takes them a while to become a plant. Although there isn’t a 100% success rate, it is a great project for kids!
Set up your kids with an ice cube tray full of dirt and a few leaves from the base of your mature plant. Then, let them place the dolphins in the container with the part that was attached to the mother plant buried in the soil. To increase your chances of growing new plants, attempt to place two or three leaves in each part if you have enough. Set the tray in a bright, sunny area and softly mist it every few days, just enough to moisten the soil’s surface. It’s a pretty sluggish process this way, so be ready to see virtually nothing happen for months. You might also do a second pot or two of cuttings to demonstrate to the children the many techniques (some quicker than others!) to grow new plants. When your cuttings are large enough, you may transplant them into custom-painted pots and give them as gifts to your favorite teachers.
Consider placing cuttings from your string of dolphins into conch shells with echeveria and cotyledon pendens for simple, exquisite table decorations if your wedding has a beach theme. You can also use the same plants in small pots as shower gifts.
With this extraordinary succulent, the options are really limitless. It looks amazing in a hanging basket in a bright window and is guaranteed to catch everyone’s eye.
We would love to display your gorgeous dolphin collection, especially if you purchased it from us. Visit our Facebook page, upload some pictures, and brag about your plantlings. We’d also be interested in seeing any setups you’ve developed that use this amazing plant, such as dolphin propagation stations. We appreciate you sharing your thoughts and images in advance!
Note and shameless plug:
This item has already been shared in parts on our Facebook page. I hope you like this revised and extended version! Check out our store if you don’t already have your own dolphin string! This cute little plant is available in a variety of sizes as well as our selection of trailing succulents. If you need a lot of dolphins or any other succulent for your wedding or other occasion, we can offer discounts for bulk orders! For further information, please send us a note!