How do you grow String of Pearls so it bursts into a full pot? Learn these few care tips
String of Pearls, also called String of Beads spider plant or jade bead, is a succulent plant in the genus Senecio of the Asteraceae family. Its leaves are round and plump, and when hung indoors they look like wind chimes. So, how do you grow String of Pearls so it bursts into a full pot?
1. Soil
String of Pearls is not fussy about soil, but a sandy loam that is loose, well-draining and airy is ideal. You can mix equal parts leaf mold or peat soil, garden soil and river sand, then add a small amount of base fertilizer as the growing medium, or make a growing medium from 60% garden soil or pond mud, 10% sand and 30% rice husk ash.
2. Temperature
String of Pearls likes a warm environment, tolerates high temperatures and is fairly cold-hardy. The suitable growing temperature is around 20°C-28°C. At high and low temperatures the plant grows slowly, and especially when the temperature is above 30°C the plant goes dormant.
3. Light
String of Pearls likes semi-shade and is not strict about light, generally growing well under moderate light conditions. If the light is too strong or too weak, the leaves easily turn pale green or yellow-green, lose their vitality and may even dry up and die; if exposed to direct sunlight, the plant easily scorches.
4. Watering
The leaves of String of Pearls are fleshy and juicy, so it is drought-tolerant. However, during the peak growing period from March to September it needs more water, so water and mist it often to increase humidity. After autumn, gradually reduce watering to improve the plant's cold resistance. Watering should err on the side of dry rather than wet; when the weather is dry, mist the leaves and vines more often.
5. Fertilizing
During vigorous growth, String of Pearls should be fertilized with “light fertilizer applied frequently”, applying a dilute liquid fertilizer twice a month. Nitrogen fertilizer should be the main type, and you can often spray the leaves with 1-3‰ nitrogen fertilizer and potassium dihydrogen phosphate, which helps make the beads greener and plumper.
6. Pests and diseases
String of Pearls rarely suffers from pests and diseases. If the potting soil is waterlogged and ventilation is poor, root rot may occur, and it should be sprayed promptly for control. Aphids in spring and mites in summer and autumn can also occur; you can spray 1500-fold omethoate to kill aphids and 1000-fold dicofol to kill mites.