Want to amaze your pals with a tiny necklace-like succulent? Use these String of Watermelon plant care and growing tips to show off your thriving plant!
If you love plant but ca n’t seem to find the space for them , the String of Watermelon , also popular as String of Melons or Senecio herreianus , is a beautiful tracking succulent that can match into small spaces . And the best part ? The singular practice on the leaves resembles miniature watermelons , which everyone just loves !
String of Watermelon Plant Profile
The String of Watermelon is a succulent plant from the Asteraceae family that calls South Africa its realm of origin , but do n’t you worry if you do n’t find to subsist there ; this trailing succulent finds comfort in hang basketball hoop worldwide . As a matter of fact , a fully matured plant can dangle down several feet .
Going into detail on the individual facet of the flora , thecrystal - likeor pea - like unripe beads or farewell slip the spotlight and they are what give it its common names like “ String of Beads ” or “ drawing string of Watermelon . ” These succulent beads are puffy and round and have a pattern that reminds many of the bar of a watermelon . This pattern is enunciate much more when they ’re slightly stressed and take on a swooning purple tone .
The efflorescence look quite alien , come forth in a tower of small , fluffywhite flowerswith a cinnamon - like odor that perfectly counterpoint the greenish pearl .
Botanical Name : Curio herreanus
String of Watermelon Propagation
Now that you have visit the plant , do n’t you require to own one ? Proudly boast about it among your horticulture crony ? If so , taste growing it with stem cutting !
Stem cutting is the easy and most commonly used method acting , and hence , it is your best choice for produce a thriving plant . The follow are the steps to propagate the bowed stringed instrument of watermelon through fore cutting :
It ’s respectable to get everything ready beforehand . The items you ’ll need are a duad of penetrative and sporting scissors or pruning shears , a low pot , succulent or cactus potting admixture , and root internal secretion ( optional ) .
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Since plant grown from cuttings are clone of the mother industrial plant , select a tidy , long stem from your String of Watermelon plant . Using the scissors or shear , cut a section that ’s a few inches long . Ensure that there are multiple “ beads ” or leaves on the stem thinning .
To shorten the risk of putrefaction , come out the String of Watermelon clipping in a shaded , juiceless area for a day or two . This , in gardening damage , is called callus , and it allows the cut end to dry out .
Get your handwriting marked-up by filling the pot with the succulent or cactus mix . Insert the callused end of the stem cutting into the soil , making sure that a few beads are above the soil surface as that is vital for the endurance of the plant .
softly irrigate the dirt , ensuring it ’s damp but not soggy . Over the next few week , continue watering but only sparingly , allow the dirt to dry out out between each watering session .
sun is necessary for the survival of any flora , but to bring out the best of this succulent , place the pot in a location with bright , collateral illumination .
A few weeks time is necessitate for the development of the roots . The tug test can be perform to see if your plant is growing as required , you may gently push on the stem , and if you feel resistance , it in all probability intend the roots have anchored themselves into the territory .
String of Watermelon Growing Requirements
Sunlight
If you are growing your String of Watermelon within your modest dwelling , happen a locating that receives hopeful , indirect light . A windowsill with semitransparent mantle or a fleck a bit further off from a vivid windowpane will do just ticket .
For outside , the precondition may be a bit more harsh , so ensure that the plant is shaded or semi - shaded expanse . Direct sunlight , especially during noonday , can scorch the leaves , taking away its wow factor .
Soil
A well - draining soil mixture is essential . Since String of Watermelon is a succulent , succulent or cactus potting mixes are the good choice . These mixes preclude water from baby-sit around the roots , which can lead to theme rot . If you wish well to make a potting yourself , you may do so by adding 2 parts of coarse sand or perlite along with 1 part of compost or garden soil and another of peat moss or coconut coir .
Watering
As mentioned before , the twine of watermelon vine does not like a ton of water system , so verify to only irrigate it meagrely when then the top level of soil feels ironic to the touch . Overwatering can lead to root rot or tempt pestilence and infection .
hint : It ’s better if your plant is underwatered than overwatered The beads / leaves of the plant fund water , giving it the ability to withstand drouth - like atmospheric condition .
Temperature
strand of Watermelon prefers temperatures between 60 ° F to 75 ° F ( 15 ° degree Celsius to 24 ° carbon ) . It does not allow either of the extremes — too frigid or too raging . You should protect your plant at temperatures below 50F as it is hoar sensitive , bringing them in during winter months can aid . Whereas during the hottest part of the day , screen them from direct sunshine is a must as the leaves may scorch due to intense heating plant .
Humidity
chain of Watermelon thrives in a moderately humid environment , with ideal levels between 40 - 50 % . If the humidity is too low , the foliage may start to shrivel or curl . One way to increase humidity is to obscure the plant regularly or place a humidifier nearby .
String of Watermelon Care
Fertilizer
drawing string of Watermelon does not need invariant fertilization , but once a calendar month during the growing time of year , which is typically spring through former fall , will assist the plant grow better . Using a balanced , piddle - soluble fertiliser with a low-pitched atomic number 7 content can work well . call back to mix the fertilizer at half or quarter potency of the recommend dosage to ward off over - fertilisation .
