Dolphin succulents (also known as Senecio peregrinus or String of Dolphins) have captured the hearts of succulent lovers worldwide. With their unique, dolphin-shaped leaves, they are as charming as they are easy to grow. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a beginner, growing dolphin succulents from cuttings can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. In this blog post, we’ll guide you step-by-step on how to propagate dolphin succulents from cuttings, along with essential care tips to help them thrive.
What Are Dolphin Succulents?
Before diving into the propagation process, let’s briefly explore what makes dolphin succulents so special. Native to South Africa, Senecio peregrinus is a hybrid plant that forms cascading strands of delicate, dolphin-shaped leaves. The plant is part of the Asteraceae family, a close relative of the String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), but with a much more whimsical appearance.
Dolphin succulents are renowned for their ability to trail gracefully, making them an excellent choice for hanging baskets, pots, or as part of a succulent arrangement. The leaves themselves resemble leaping dolphins, which is how they earned their playful name.
Why Propagate Dolphin Succulents From Cuttings?
Propagating dolphin succulents from cuttings is not only a cost-effective way to expand your collection, but it’s also an incredibly easy and enjoyable process. Unlike other succulents, dolphin succulents are particularly forgiving when it comes to propagation, and you’ll be rewarded with a new, healthy plant in a few weeks’ time. By starting from cuttings, you can ensure the genetic consistency of your new plants—meaning they’ll look just like the parent plant.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you begin the propagation process, it’s essential to gather a few supplies. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
- Healthy Dolphin Succulent Plant: Choose a mature plant with long, healthy strands of leaves.
- Sharp Pair of Scissors or Pruners: To take clean and precise cuttings.
- Well-Draining Potting Soil: A succulent or cactus mix is ideal for these plants.
- Small Pots or Containers: For planting the cuttings.
- Rooting Hormone (Optional): This helps encourage quicker root development but is not strictly necessary.
- Watering Can: For light watering.
- A Warm, Bright Location: Dolphin succulents need plenty of indirect sunlight to thrive.
Step-By-Step Guide to Propagate Dolphin Succulents
Step 1: Select and Prepare the Cutting
The first step in propagating dolphin succulents is to take a healthy cutting from the parent plant. Using your sharp scissors or pruners, select a healthy stem that has at least 3-4 sets of leaves. Ensure the cutting is free of pests and disease, as this will help ensure a successful propagation process.
When making your cut, aim to snip just below a leaf node, where new growth will sprout from the cutting. This will give the cutting the best chance to grow roots quickly.
Step 2: Allow the Cutting to Callus
Once you have your cutting, place it in a dry area for 2-3 days to allow the cut end to callus over. This is a crucial step to prevent the cutting from rotting when planted in soil. The callus forms a protective layer, reducing the risk of infection.
During this time, avoid watering or placing the cutting in direct sunlight.
Step 3: Prepare the Potting Mix
Dolphin succulents, like most succulents, require well-draining soil to avoid root rot. You can either purchase a pre-made succulent mix or create your own by combining equal parts of potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand. The soil should be light and porous to allow excess water to drain easily.
Fill your small pots or containers with the prepared soil mix, leaving about an inch of space at the top for watering.
Step 4: Plant the Cutting
After your cutting has callused, it’s time to plant it. Gently press the cut end of the stem into the soil, ensuring it is secure. If you’d like, you can dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage faster root growth, but this is optional.
Plant the cutting just deep enough that it stays upright and stable in the pot. Be gentle with the new cutting, as it may be a little fragile at first.
Step 5: Watering the Cutting
After planting, lightly water the cutting, ensuring that the soil is damp but not soaked. Dolphin succulents don’t like to sit in water, so make sure the pot has good drainage.
During the first few weeks, you won’t need to water the cutting frequently—just wait until the soil feels dry to the touch before watering again. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes when propagating succulents, so it’s better to err on the side of dryness.
Step 6: Place in a Warm, Bright Location
After planting, place your pot in a bright location with indirect sunlight. Dolphin succulents thrive in warm temperatures (around 70°F to 85°F or 21°C to 29°C), but they should not be exposed to direct sunlight at this stage, as it can cause the cutting to dry out too quickly.
Ensure the environment is dry, as humidity can promote rot. A well-ventilated area is essential for the cutting to establish roots.
Caring for Your New Dolphin Succulent
Once your cutting begins to root and grow new leaves, it’s important to provide the right care to ensure its continued health and vitality. Here are a few care tips:
1. Watering
As with all succulents, dolphin succulents prefer a “drought-and-soak” watering method. Water thoroughly when the soil is completely dry, but avoid allowing the plant to sit in water. During the winter months, they need even less water as they go into a dormant period.
2. Sunlight
Dolphin succulents need plenty of bright, indirect sunlight to grow well. Too much direct sunlight can cause their delicate leaves to burn, while too little sunlight will result in leggy growth. Ideally, place them near a window with filtered sunlight or under a grow light if indoors.
3. Temperature
These succulents prefer warm temperatures. Avoid placing them in locations where the temperature dips below 50°F (10°C). Ideal growth temperatures range between 60°F to 85°F (16°C to 29°C).
4. Fertilizing
Dolphin succulents are light feeders, so fertilizing them once every month during the growing season (spring through summer) with a diluted, balanced fertilizer should be sufficient. Avoid fertilizing in the winter when growth slows.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
While dolphin succulents are generally easy to grow, like all plants, they are susceptible to certain issues. Here are a few common problems you might encounter:
Overwatering
The most common problem with dolphin succulents is overwatering. Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves, mushy stems, and root rot. Make sure your pot has good drainage, and always check that the soil is dry before watering.
Pests
Dolphin succulents can occasionally fall victim to pests like aphids or mealybugs. If you notice small, discolored spots or a sticky residue on the leaves, inspect your plant for pests and treat them with insecticidal soap.
Leggy Growth
If your dolphin succulent becomes stretched out and leggy, it might not be getting enough light. Move it to a brighter location and ensure it receives at least 6 hours of indirect sunlight per day.
Conclusion
Propagating dolphin succulents from cuttings is a fun and rewarding process that allows you to expand your succulent collection or share your beautiful plants with others. With a bit of patience and care, your dolphin succulent cuttings will grow into full, healthy plants that are sure to charm anyone who sees them. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can easily cultivate these unique, dolphin-shaped beauties and enjoy their playful appearance for years to come. Happy gardening!
