Help! String of Pearls
I got a string of pearls plant recently and it has rapidly gone down hill since I’ve had it. I have increased the amount I’ve been watering it and moved it to a sunnier spot in my apartment, but it still is not doing well. Most of the pearls around the roots are very raisin-like. Any suggestions would be great.
3ft to light, indirect
5” pot with drainage
Last watered 2 months ago
12
Best Answer
Hi 👋 @charmingtart47 ☀️ That’s too bad your SOP isn’t doing well. All of the info on Surya’s plant card looks good. Typically with SOP once things start to go awry it can be a struggle to get them back on track. It looks like it may be overwatered. The soil is staying too moist and the pearls are rotting. Blackened stems coming out of the soil and over the edge of the pot are dead and need to be removed to discourage further rot. Those stems aren’t sending nourishment down to the pearls below so more will wither. The good news is there’s lots you can do. You’ve got lots of healthy stems with chunky pearls so I’d propagate them now, that way you’ll still have a plant if the mother plant here doesn’t make it. It looks like you’ve still got some green pearls growing from the soil. I’d cut off any dead leaves and stems. You want to kinda clean up the top soil so as she grows she can creep across the soil and perhaps re-root along the way. If your soil is moist on top have it dry out a bit before watering again. Another approach would be to take her out of the pot and put her in a smaller more shallow pot. I’ve found SOP roots don’t go deep into the soil and when I had them in regular nursery pots, water 💦 pooled at the bottom eventually being too wet and leading to root rot. Use a cactus/succulent mix, it drains better. Water every week or so checking first that the top of the soil has dried out. Water prop your cuttings - remove about 2” of pearls so you have a naked stem to place in water. Once those get 2” of roots you can poke a little hole and put them back in with the mother 🪴 or start a whole new plant 🪴😊🥹. I’ll post a few pics of mine which btw all came from the OG 🪴. I failed a couple of times but always had cuttings to keep her going! 🙌🥰
@charmingtart47 this little lady has been overwatered. They like sun, but need to dry out between waterings. If you can, bottom water them. Or once you get more comfortable with their needs you can top water when you see how your individual plant does. These guys have a more shallow root system, so when they’re In pots that are deep, it’s also hard to keep the watering just right.
You can save her by propagating the ends of the vines that are still healthy. I can help walk you through it if you would like? Just tag me.
You can save her by propagating the ends of the vines that are still healthy. I can help walk you through it if you would like? Just tag me.
@charmingtart47 the OG in a shallow wide pot. Pic 2 is cuttings from momma 🪴 the pot is actually shallower because it’s a self watering pot but I don’t use it that way. I just wanted to keep the bottom drier. Pic 3 is another 🪴from cuttings. It’s down a little deeper than I’d like but you can see how the pearls will grow across the soil potentially rooting along the way and getting support.
@MariansOasis where did you find your shallow pot in pic 1? I have been looking for one like that.
@TheOddAsity unfortunately at a local nursery ☹️. I grabbed one out of like 5 that they had. Went back for more and they were down to 1 😭😢 I’ll keep an eye out for anything like it and let you know 🙌
@MariansOasis thank you! Also, how many inches is it? 4? 6? I’m wondering if I am looking for the correct size.
Hi Madelyn. Sorry Surya isn’t doing well 😒. She’s definitely been overwatered. She should be placed in bright indirect light with bright morning sun and average room temperatures. Ideally south or west facing window, 5-10 inches from the glass to prevent sunburn. In fall and winter move closer to the window or use a grow light. Water when the top inch, 2.5 cm are dry. Reduce watering in winter. Soil; well draining succulent/ cactus mix. Add perlite, coarse river sand, or pumice to insure drainage. Temperature; indoor- 65-80*F. Summer 70-80*F. Winter 50-60*.
Fertilize with half strength dilute succulent feed during growing season.
Trim leggy/ damaged stems. This will encourage bushier growth. Remove dead leaves and other debris to help prevent disease and pests. Repot every 2-3 years. This will refresh the soil and allow space for growth. Hope you find this helpful. Speedy recovery Surya😇
Fertilize with half strength dilute succulent feed during growing season.
Trim leggy/ damaged stems. This will encourage bushier growth. Remove dead leaves and other debris to help prevent disease and pests. Repot every 2-3 years. This will refresh the soil and allow space for growth. Hope you find this helpful. Speedy recovery Surya😇
I used to bottom water but soil got too damp at the bottom of the pot causing root issues. Switched to top 🔝 watering for all my all my “Strings” and they’re so much healthier. The key may be to go very slowly, dribble it where the soil is dry and allow that 💦 to soak in. Repeat this until soil looks moist but not pooling or wet.