Growing and shriveling simultaneously???
I’m so confused. I brought her home and she seemed really happy and started shooting out little tendrils immediately but it looks like all the pearls underneath just shriveled right up and are all brown and dead. Help! I don’t want to lose another SOP 😢 #StringOfPearls
5ft to light, direct
6” pot with drainage
Last watered 5 days ago
9
Hello, there. Gorgeous plant. Keep in mind moving the plant around (bringing indoors from outdoors), or by bringing the plant home from the store - same effect on the plant, stress. It will start to adjust to the new environment quickly as it's a relatively fast growing plant.
It typically lets its strands loosely hang rather than being rolled over in the pot. I'd advice to detangle the strands, if it's too long, you can trim it and propagate it, by sticking into the same pot in an empty spot. It will happen from time to time for a pearl to shrivel, but as long as it's one or two at a time, there is no need to worry. All the best.
It typically lets its strands loosely hang rather than being rolled over in the pot. I'd advice to detangle the strands, if it's too long, you can trim it and propagate it, by sticking into the same pot in an empty spot. It will happen from time to time for a pearl to shrivel, but as long as it's one or two at a time, there is no need to worry. All the best.
The pearls shrivel for 2 different reason
1. Overwatering- you will know if it's overwatered because she will start to drop the pearls. Since they are a succulent when overwatered the cells in the leaf or pearls get too full and burst like water balloons. Then the pearls drop.
2. Underwatering it looks kinda the same with these. They get deflated and wrinkly. But the pearls don't drop.
But that lets you know how to differentiate between the two. I keep mine in shallower pots and water any of my strings of things once a week. They shrivel otherwise.
It's important to know they have very fine shallow roots. So I find they are happier in shallow pots. But also that they like more frequent watering than almost all other succulents.
I actually water mine with a turkey baster once a week so they get just enough. I don't actually wet the soil so it floods out of the bottom. But enough so the top of the soil gets moist.
I swear by Bonsai Jacks Gritty Mix for succulents. Mine all love it.
1. Overwatering- you will know if it's overwatered because she will start to drop the pearls. Since they are a succulent when overwatered the cells in the leaf or pearls get too full and burst like water balloons. Then the pearls drop.
2. Underwatering it looks kinda the same with these. They get deflated and wrinkly. But the pearls don't drop.
But that lets you know how to differentiate between the two. I keep mine in shallower pots and water any of my strings of things once a week. They shrivel otherwise.
It's important to know they have very fine shallow roots. So I find they are happier in shallow pots. But also that they like more frequent watering than almost all other succulents.
I actually water mine with a turkey baster once a week so they get just enough. I don't actually wet the soil so it floods out of the bottom. But enough so the top of the soil gets moist.
I swear by Bonsai Jacks Gritty Mix for succulents. Mine all love it.
@SuperbRaspfern I’ve been worried to water her because that’s how I killed the last one! And I’m willing to repot into something shallower and change up the soil but also worried that I’ll do damage in the process. Thoughts?
@Floristsdaisy I detangled and spread them out as much as I could but it looks like a lot that shriveled up. If the strands grow will it just be shriveled and stringy at the top with healthy strands hanging down though? That’s not what I’ve usually seen in pictures of SOP that are doing well.
I would just start by watering her a little but not drenching like others. I water mine once a week but they are in south facing windows and shallow pots.
I would start with every 2 weeks. That won't be overwatering.
I think she may be good with the once every 2 weeks since she's not right next to a sunny window. Just because the more light the get the faster they grow. So yours won't be using as much water as mine.
If things don't start to stabilize. Meaning you're not getting new growth, then definitely do the repot. The brown strings and pearls underneath won't come back. They will stay that way. So I would trim the brown stems off otherwise it's hard to tell if the damage has stopped and she's improving.
I'm glad you didn't give up with your last one. Sometimes it takes time to figure them out. And trying again is the only way to do that. 🩷
I would start with every 2 weeks. That won't be overwatering.
I think she may be good with the once every 2 weeks since she's not right next to a sunny window. Just because the more light the get the faster they grow. So yours won't be using as much water as mine.
If things don't start to stabilize. Meaning you're not getting new growth, then definitely do the repot. The brown strings and pearls underneath won't come back. They will stay that way. So I would trim the brown stems off otherwise it's hard to tell if the damage has stopped and she's improving.
I'm glad you didn't give up with your last one. Sometimes it takes time to figure them out. And trying again is the only way to do that. 🩷
Hello, Sharon, yes the hanging strands will be looking healthier than the ones that are rolled up in a ball.
Alternatively, you can check if the pot has a hole and see if the pot got a bit too much water - thankfully this plant can tolerate a bit of too much not like a typical succulent/cacti. I didn't mention it as I saw you're using a terracotta pot (clay pot), unless the image was misleading. Clay pot absorbs extra and releases when the soil is getting drier.
If the soil is too wet, you can correct the wetness in the pot - pull out the plant and do not disturb the root' ball, keep it as is, replace the loose soil only with the new, dry soil.
Alternatively, you can check if the pot has a hole and see if the pot got a bit too much water - thankfully this plant can tolerate a bit of too much not like a typical succulent/cacti. I didn't mention it as I saw you're using a terracotta pot (clay pot), unless the image was misleading. Clay pot absorbs extra and releases when the soil is getting drier.
If the soil is too wet, you can correct the wetness in the pot - pull out the plant and do not disturb the root' ball, keep it as is, replace the loose soil only with the new, dry soil.
@HighDamsii17 Thanks you I've had decades of practice and I have I huge collection. 🩷
@SharonH If soil is to wet you never have to uproot them. Unless they are showing signs of rot. Simply stick a couple of tampons into the soil and they quickly absorb excess moisture. Just remove them a bit later. Only uproot if it's a consistent issue.
Terracotta actually works by pulling moisture away from the roots immediately which is what you want. Delicate fine roots like she has don't appreciate sitting in standing water.
You have great instincts to hesitate with repotting it absolutely does shock the plant and cause a setback. Especially when they are already stressed (yours is).
These are some of my collection.
@Floristsdaisy I just always address information that is contradictory to help people understand the process of their plant and not confuse people who a struggling.
I realize we all have our own methods and ways of doing things.
@SharonH If soil is to wet you never have to uproot them. Unless they are showing signs of rot. Simply stick a couple of tampons into the soil and they quickly absorb excess moisture. Just remove them a bit later. Only uproot if it's a consistent issue.
Terracotta actually works by pulling moisture away from the roots immediately which is what you want. Delicate fine roots like she has don't appreciate sitting in standing water.
You have great instincts to hesitate with repotting it absolutely does shock the plant and cause a setback. Especially when they are already stressed (yours is).
These are some of my collection.
@Floristsdaisy I just always address information that is contradictory to help people understand the process of their plant and not confuse people who a struggling.
I realize we all have our own methods and ways of doing things.
@Floristsdaisy @SuperbRaspfern thank you! It definitely isn’t too wet because I’ve been very very sparing with watering, I think it’s probably underwatered. I’m going to give her some water and see how it goes. Much appreciated!