The plump, dangling pearls of the popular String of Pearls succulent are absolutely adorable. I bet a lot of people fell in love at first sight and decided to buy one.
However, many find that their beloved pearl necklace seems to be wasting away, despite their best efforts to care for it.
So, in this article, I will clearly tell you how to revive a faded pearl necklace and make it bloom again.
Contents
Reviving a Dying Pearl Necklace: Tips and Techniques
“I have a feeling it’s going to wilt soon… Maybe I should throw it away before the bugs show up…”
You might feel this looking at a withered pearl necklace plant, but wait! String of Pearls is a hardy succulent that spreads easily.
With a two-pronged approach, there is still a chance for a resurgence. In this article, I will introduce you to the methods to bring your pearl necklace back to life, so give them a try.
Step 1 – Reassess the location
In this article, I will show you the steps to revive the String of Pearls plant pictured below.
The photo below shows a pearl necklace that has been cared for on the inside for about a year since purchase. Due to insufficient sunlight and nutrients, the overall color is poor and the leaves become smaller at the tips.
Pearl necklaces wilt in the wrong place – a common problem, as they need bright, indirect light to thrive.In this case, if the temperature allows it, it is recommended to move the plant to a partially shaded outdoor space.
The pearl necklace thrives in temperatures between 59 and 86°F (15 and 30°C), but can also withstand cold temperatures as low as 27°F (-3°C).
However, you have to be careful with the heat. At temperatures above 30 ° C, the plant is more likely to wilt due to direct sunlight and high humidity.
During hot periods, avoid direct sunlight and use a shade cloth or place the plant in partial shade for better maintenance.
If you keep the plant indoors, place it in a location with as much sun as possible. However, moving the plant to a location with direct sunlight can cause leaf burn.
When moving the plant, move it gradually to brighter locations and slowly acclimate it to sunlight to avoid leaf burn.
Step 2 – Observe the background
Next, examine the soil in which the pearl necklace is planted. Is the soil currently wet or dry?
The String of Pearls watering schedule varies by season. Be sure to reconfirm the correct watering method for each time of year.
As a succulent, string of pearls stores a significant amount of water in its fleshy leaves. Therefore, it is susceptible to excess moisture, which can lead to root rot.
Hanging is recommended for String of Pearls, who prefer a well-ventilated environment!Pearl Necklace Watering Guidelines:
Spring and autumn:
⇒ This is when the plant grows vigorously, so water it well after the soil is completely dry.
You can give it diluted liquid fertilizer once a month. To prevent root rot, regularly remove water that accumulates in the saucer.
Mid-summer and mid-winter:
⇒ This is the rest period during which plant growth slows down considerably. As a result, the ability of the roots to absorb water decreases. Wait for the soil to dry out, then wait 3-4 days before watering.
Fertilizer is not needed during this time. Avoid using a spray bottle for occasional watering, as this is not ideal.
Step 3 – Propagate Cuttings in Early Spring
If you notice that your pearl necklace is about to wilt in early spring or late fall, it is recommended that you try propagating it with cuttings.
Simply cut a stem and place it in water or soil to encourage root growth. Let’s see how it’s done.
Cut a 5-7cm piece of stem from your pearl necklace. Avoid soft, limp stems, as they are already rotting (cut them off and discard them to avoid further spoilage).
I would remove any pearl submerged in water; they get wet and fall and dirty the water
But yes, after collecting carrots, you can put them in the ground!
Place the cut stem in a container filled with water and wait for it to develop roots. In early spring, you should see white roots emerging from the base of the leaves in about a week. If you’re interested, check out this guide on how to grow a pearl necklace from a pearl.
Step 4 – Plant in Soil and Water
Once the stem has roots in water, plant it in clean, well-drained soil. Nutrient-free soil is best.
As shown in the photo, place the stem on the ground and cover it with more soil, making sure the rooted part is well hidden.
Although it requires some effort, tweezers should be used to insert each stem into the ground for safer planting. Be careful not to let the soil get too dry until the plant is well rooted.
Moisten the surface of the soil when it dries and place the plant outdoors in a well-ventilated area, avoiding direct sunlight. Fertilizer is not needed at this stage.
Stage 5 – Transition to Regular Care After Rooting
The photo below shows pearl necklace appearing about six months after propagation from cuttings.
You can achieve thick, healthy leaves by placing the plant outdoors and providing plenty of sunlight and air circulation. For comparison, the photo below shows the plant that was inside.
Even though they are so weakened, there is still a chance to revive!Even with careful management of temperature and sunlight, indoor conditions simply cannot compete with outdoor air circulation. The essential elements for growing healthy plants are sunlight, water and air.
Exposure to air helps regulate the opening and closing of stomata on leaves, which promotes photosynthesis.
Keeping the pearl string outdoors as much as possible is essential to maintaining a healthy plant.
Key learning points
In this article, we have described the methods to bring a faded pearl necklace back to life.
The plump and cute pearls of the pearl necklace will make you want to put it away and enjoy its beauty.
However, unlike shade-tolerant houseplants like pothos and money trees, most succulents need lots of sunlight and air circulation.
Insufficient light causes the spaces between the leaves to lengthen, resulting in a weak, lanky appearance.
The best approach is to keep the plant outdoors by default and only bring it indoors during extreme summers or winters. This will help maintain its beauty.
To revive a faded pearl necklace:
- Re-evaluate factory location
- Observe the soil and reconsider the method of irrigation.
- Try to propagate from cuttings.
- Plant rooted stems in the ground.
- Keep the plant outside as much as possible! (This applies to both the original plant and propagated pots.) For tips on how to make a fuller pearl necklace, visit this link.
If you want to learn more about why a pearl necklace can turn purple, read this article.
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