General Care for Senecio peregrinus “String of Dolphins
Akin to Senecio Peregrinus “As String of Dolphins develops, it either sprawls across the ground or emerges from a hanging basket. When given ample light, it thrives indoors. Each leaf is fashioned like a dolphin “window where light is absorbed.
Watering
Peregrine Senecio “The watering requirements for String of Dolphins are usual for succulents. You should utilize the “Use the “soak and dry” method, letting the soil to dry out in between waterings.
Where to Plant
String of Dolphins is not cold hardy, so it’s best to grow this succulent in a container that can be moved indoors if you live in a region that has temperatures below 30 F (-1.1 C). It grows nicely under grow lights as well as in bright indoor light.
Cuttings
Use a clean, sharp knife or pair of scissors to cultivate “String of Dolphins from cuttings. Take a stem from the main plant and place it on well-draining soil after letting it callus for a few days. When the soil is fully dry, add water.
How are a string of succulent dolphins cared for?
Because string of dolphin leaves can store water for a long time, they are regarded as drought-tolerant plants and do not require routine watering. To prevent root rot, let the soil completely dry between waterings. Then, water well.
How frequently should a dolphin plant be watered?
Dolphin plants can just just another novelty plant, but they also require specific maintenance. Identical to their parent plants, they have similar cultivation requirements. Give them light that is both direct and bright.
During the growing season, the ideal average temperature is 72 degrees F (22 C). The plant needs somewhat cooler temperatures, between 50 and 55 degrees F, to go dormant in the winter (10-13 C.).
Between waterings, let the soil dry out. Plants typically need watering once a week during the growing season, but just once a month during the dormant season.
The succulent dolphin has minimal insect or disease problems, and its maintenance is very simple. Mealybugs and spider mites are potential problems in several climes. The majority of diseases are fungal issues, which may be avoided with proper watering, well-draining soil, and a container that lets excess moisture out.
How quickly do dolphin strings grow?
In ideal circumstances, the string of dolphins (senecio peregrinus) grows very quickly. In their first nine months of growth, these succulent plants can reach lengths of up to 20 inches (50 cm). This is an astonishing growth spike considering that the maximum length of a string of dolphins stem is usually 36 inches (90 cm). They are highly sought in vertical gardens because of this. Stem cuttings that can reproduce more leaf growth can help to accelerate this growth.
Where do I place my dolphin string?
String of Dolphins, in contrast to other succulents, prefers chilly air and can endure wintertime temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It is good for them to have temperatures of around 72 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer or throughout their growing season.  
But bear in mind that the String of Dolphins are “soft succulents,” which means they won’t endure a severe frost. Therefore, it is advised to put them in a container that can be readily moved inside if the temperature in your location drops below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Soil and Pot Needs
The String of Dolphins can decay if overwatered, like other succulents do. Choose a soil that drains well, such as a cactus/succulent mix, and plant the plants in a container with drainage holes on the bottom.
Additionally, dolphins do well in slightly congested environments, so select a container that is just a little bit bigger than them.
Watering requirements
Contrary to some uncommon succulents, which can be quite difficult to water, String of Dolphin is relatively simple to care for. The easiest way to do this is to water them well, letting the soil completely dry between applications, then repeating as necessary until the water flows out the drainage hole in the pot. Do this once a week when they are actively developing (often from early Spring to late Fall) and once a month when they are dormant (every winter). Based on the conditions in your particular area, you can modify the watering schedule to suit the requirements of each individual plant.  
5. Dolphins in an Underwater and Overwater String
String of Dolphins prefer a little bit more watering than other Senecio species like String of Pearls, which primarily causes them to suffer from being under-watered.
 
So always remember to look at their leaves for clues that will allow you to tell if they need watering or not.
Always look to their leaves for clues as to whether your String of Dolphins has submerged or is over.
When you observe indicators like dry, deflated, and dull leaves, your dolphin is probably submerged. Conversely, squishy, yellow, or transparent leaves indicate that your dolphin is receiving more water than is necessary.
6. Needs for Fertilizing
String of Dolphins doesn’t require a lot of fertilizer because doing so risks losing its distinctive jumping dolphin appearance. Ideally, you should only feed them once or twice a year, at the start of spring and when they begin to blossom.
7. Slumber
Winter is when the String of Dolphins goes dormant, thus cooler temperatures, around 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and much less watering are needed. In light of this, you should reduce your watering to just once a month in order to maintain the happiness and health of this succulent plant.
Should you swim with dolphins in the deep ocean?
When subjected to the bottom watering approach, string of dolphins generally develop fairly nicely. A practice called bottom watering involves hydrating the plant from below. This stands in contrast to the more traditional method of pouring water from above and allowing it soak into the ground.
- Succulents in the shape of dolphins thrive when watered from the bottom.
- The top soil dryness test does not function with bottom watering, which is its one drawback.
It is recommended for string of dolphin succulents to soak before drying out. This soaking and drying out can happen extremely quickly due to bottom watering. The only drawback is that you can’t use the top soil dryness test to determine whether to water again after that.
How large can a dolphin plant grow?
Due to the cross-pollination of two plant species, Senecio Roweleyanus (string of pearls) and Senecio Articulates, this unusual creation was created (hot dog or candle plant). Unlike the bunny succulent, which loses shape as it grows, the dolphin succulent can reach a height of 6 inches (15 cm).
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!