Is my string of pearls dying?
It's getting pleanty of new growth, but all of the sudden the older pearls are turning brown and falling off, and a few are even turning black. Does it have some type of a disease?
Comments (9)
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
6 years agoemmy
6 years agoRelated Discussions
String of Pearls dying
Comments (14)Libby- DavidL.ca is correct about everything he told you. I can't really add any more to what he said other than to share what happened with me. I purchased two really full Senecio Rowleyanus (String of Pearls), a few months later they shriveled up to things smaller than a raisin. My mistake I later learned was # 1 If your string of pearls comes in a hanging basket, that does not mean you can just place it outside. They are sensitive to wind. It dies them out quickly. In a backyard below the level of a fence would be okay. An enclosed porch or patio shielded from wind would be ok. I had them on my balcony on the 4th level. My mistake # 2 ..because they're succulents, does not mean you water it the exact same way as I did with most of my other succulents. My plants need their water weekly without fail. Sometimes in the heat of summer they need to be watered twice a week. Mistake # 3. I put them in direct sun. Very big mistake. Some succulents like it, these definitely do not. Filtered or indirect sun is what they'll thrive in. The good news: From your picture I feel there is time to save them! Mine looked a lot worse. What I did: take the strands and make them re-root. From the bottom I plucked several of the pearls off. Examine all the pearls first. If any were mushy, i removed them as they are uselss and only drains energy from the plant. The plant will need that extra help focusing it to make roots and new pearls. I made sure each strand had at least 5 pearls on them. lay the strands on top of each other on something long enough to support them without bending. (taple top). After that I gently picked up the entire bunch and planted them to the point where I had plucked them. Sometimes some of the pearls were buried, and that did not bother the plant. I sprayed them well, about 5 or 6 squirts every 3 days for almost 2 weeks. They must have rooted because by the end of the 2nd week, they were fully recovered. Now, I started to water once a week. More good News: These plants will actually communicate with you rather quickly. If they get too too big, you're over-watering or your soil is retaining too much water. They will turn to mush and die, whichever comes first. If they shrivel again, they're telling you they're thirsty..or you're providing too much light or have placed them in a space that is too windy. After you've watered, wait a week. Place your finger in the soil and wriggle down to about 2 inches. If the water after a full week is still moist or even damp, you must change your soil to a grittier mix so that it drains out well. Best of luck to you and your plant of course : )...See MoreString of pearls dying
Comments (5)I believe your problem is a soil issue along with not enough light. These are easy to fix. I put a video below from Desert Plants of Avalon. I like her videos:). There are two things I don't agree with from the video, she mists the cuttings right after she plants them up. I like to wait to water till I see roots. The other thing I disagree with her on is she uses sand in her mix. I find sand can be problematic. I would get some perlite or pumice. Whatever is easier to get. Do a mix of 50% perlite or pumice with 50% C&S soil. Once you get roots I would suggest a place where there is brighter light. With these if you put them in the direct sun they turn a tan color, and lose that pretty green color. At least in my experience. One last thing make sure there are drainage holes. You have such a nice plant hopefully you can save it. Goodluck:)....See MoreDying string of pearls
Comments (2)Hi Yasmen, Pls make this same post over at Cactus & Succulent forum (C&S) as this is a succulent & folks there may be able to help, since no one has responded here....See MoreIs my string of pearls doomed?
Comments (16)Make sure you acclimatize any plant to outside - light is much stronger than indoors. You don't want to fry them. So start with dappled shade, moving into stronger light gradually. It is best to leave plant outdoors rather than bringing it in and out. So, if nighttime temps are reasonable, put it outside and leave there. It is important for succulents to be potted in well draining mix. If your mix was damp and compacted, I would get rid of it and use new mix with lots of inorganics in it. If it doesn't drain well, you may have problems if it rains. I don't know what is weather like in Oregon, so consider your conditions....See MoreKaren S. (7b, NYC)
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoemmy
6 years ago
Cheri
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
I'm not an expert, but since you haven't heard anything back in ten days....I do have three of these plants and on the largest of them, (8" pot) some "pearls" at the base do rot out eventually and I remove them occasionally (these are the ones touching the soil that do not get light from under the dense coverage of the other pearls.) But it looks to me from your photo that you have this on a much larger scale and it's moving up the stems? It seems to me possibly overwatering and/or a soil that is too retentive and not draining could be causing the roots to rot? I guess it could also be some kind of infestation under the soil? I've not experienced that personally so, just a thought on something you might wish to look into more. Either way, although I know its not the optimal time of year for re-potting, but if it seems to be continuing to decline, if it were me, I'd get some good cactus/succulent soil (I order Bonsai Jack's on Amazon and rinse any dust out in a fine colander first) or (even better) prepare some of Al's gritty mix (search the recipe in GardenWeb); then repot as a bare-root rinsing all old soil off the roots and cutting away any damage. Instructions for repotting can be found in a GardenWeb search. There is some great advice on GardenWeb on soils, repotting vs potting up etc etc, but especially if you search Al "Tapla" along with your search words. You can trust every word of advice Al gives you from my experience and apparently hundreds of others who have followed his expert advice on here. Please post an update on how you are making out and best of luck!!
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoCheri
6 years agoI'm so glad it's doing much better. I was watching some videos over the weekend showing how easy it is to propogate and a good idea to do just in case you're losing one. So, that was my project yesterday...
I agree with the above poster about the drainage and other points. Especially with this plant...they hate staying wet. Search Al "tapla" "perched water on this forum...good read. Best of luck to you!!
Ash - Zone 7a
6 years ago
emmyOriginal Author