How to Propagate String of Turtles Plant (Ways & Steps)

Jan 18 2023 Written by LisaSmith

Propagating String of Turtles is both simple and straightforward. Whenever the stems grow too long, you can cut a part of the stem and propagate the plant. Or when your plant is going to die, you can propagate a new plant for yourself. With its signature foliage, the String of Turtles is an undeniably beautiful plant. You can also share your new propagated plants with your friends and family. Let’s find out ways to propagate String of Turtles plant and learn step by step.

When to Propagate String of Turtles How Long to Propagate a New String of Turtles Plant? Preparations for String of Turtles Propagation Ways & Steps to Propagate String of Turtles Propagate String of Turtles from Stem Cuttings in Soil Propagate String of Turtles from Stem Cuttings in Water Propagate String of Turtles from Leaves in Soil Propagate String of Turtles from Seeds in Soil How to Care for String of Turtles After Propagation How to Propagate String of Turtles in Sphagnum Moss

When to Propagate String of Turtles

The best time to propagate the String of Pearls is from spring to mid-summer. The propagation success rate is highest when the plant is in the growing season. When propagating in summer, choose a fine morning.

You can also propagate the String of Turtles plant indoors in fall but avoid in winter. The cold weather condition is unsuitable as the plant can’t stand the freezing temperatures and cold drafts.

If you are going to save a failing String of Turtles, take action immediately. After all, you can only propagate using healthy parts of the plant.

How Long to Propagate a New String of Turtles Plant?

String of Turtles is a slow-growing plant. Under proper conditions, it may take new roots and new small adventitious buds 2 to 3 weeks later. About 5 to 6 weeks later, adventitious buds break out of the soil surface, which becomes a new string of turtles plant together with the old leaves.

Preparations for String of Turtles Propagation

Before starting to propagate string of turtles plant, list down the items and conditions that you need to keep handy.

A Healthy Plant or Healthy Parts
Suitable Size Clean Pot with Drainage Holes
A Pair of Sterilized Scissors or Pruners
Right Soil Medium (Best Soil for String of Turtles)
Clean Water
Proper Environment
Rooting Hormone

Ways & Steps to Propagate String of Turtles

Propagating string of turtles by stem cutting is the easiest and fastest method. If you are new to propagation, it is the best way to work with. You can propagate it from stem cuttings either in soil or water. Growing the String of Turtles from the seed can be a lengthy process whereas, and its germination rate is low. (Read More: Are String Of Turtles Toxic To Cats)

Propagate String of Turtles from Stem Cuttings in Soil

When using soil to propagate a String of Turtles plant, the main things to consider are observing the node and preparing suitable soil for the plant. Here are steps to propagate String of Turtles from stem cuttings in soil.

Step 1: Snip off a few cuttings just below a node from healthy parts (where leaves and roots grow out of the main stem). Remember to use a pair of clean scissors or knives. Strip off some of the leaves that are close to the base of the cutting and only leave 2 or 3 leaves.
Step 2: Stick the base of the cutting into a pot filled with soil mix. Don’t bury all the cutting but make sure at least one node in the soil where the new roots will sprout from. (You can also add a bit of rooting hormone powder to the nodes if you’d like.)
Step 3: Place the pot in a location with bright, indirect light. Keep the top of the potting mix moist but do not overwater. If the soil is moist before, you don’t need to water it again.
Step 4: Cover the top of the planter with saran wrap and poke some holes in it for air circulation. Every week or so, remove the saran wrap to let the plant air out. Mist with fresh water if the soil is dry.

Propagate String of Turtles from Stem Cuttings in Water

String of Turtles propagation can be carried out in water. Though it will take root slowly than in soil, this way has much more fun that you can watch the roots grow in water clearly. Here are steps:

Step 1: Prepare a clean transparent container
Step 2: Cut off a few healthy cuttings below a node and clear all the leaves that are close to the base of the cutting.
Step 3: Put the base of the cutting into the container. Then fill the container with water and cover about a third of the root system. If the water is too much, the root system of String of Turtles will not breathe properly. You can put some medical stone at the bottom of the container, which can play a role in fixing the root system.
Step 4: Place the container in an area with bright, indirect light.
Step 5: Replace the water once a week or so when it gets a bit muddy, and fill it up when the water level gets lower.

It is best to plant them in soil when they grow to a certain extent.

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Propagate String of Turtles from Leaves in Soil

You can also propagate String of Turtles from leaves in potting soil. But the survival rate is much more lower and it often takes a few months to root.

Step 1: Select a few healthy leaves with petiples attached
Step 2: Stick the leaf petiole into a pot filled with damp soil mix.
Step 3: Place the pot in a location with bright, indirect light. Keep the top of the potting mix moist but do not overwater. If the soil is moist before, you don’t need to water it again immediately.
Step 4: Cover the top of the planter with saran wrap and poke some holes in it for air circulation. Every week or so, remove the saran wrap to let the plant air out. Mist with fresh water if the soil is dry.

Propagate String of Turtles from Seeds in Soil

Seeds can also propagate String of Turtles plants. Growing the String of Turtles from the seed can be an easy but lengthy process whereas, and its germination rate is low. The seedlings take a long time to grow.

Step 1: Prepare or buy some good String of Turtles seeds. Fill the pot with sterile damp potting mixture.
Step 2: Sow the seed separately. Spread the dried seeds evenly over the surface of the soil and cover with a small amount of soil to make sure they are covered.
Step 3: Place the pot in a location with bright, indirect light. Keep the top of the potting mix moist but do not overwater.
Wait for seeds to germinate. Do not water before new growth coming up. Generaly, the seedlings will emerge in 1-2 months.

How to Care for String of Turtles After Propagation

When caring for string of turtles Plant, first you need to ensure that the soil is suitable, which must be well-draining soil/mix. In the daily care of String of Turtles Plant, sufficient light should be guaranteed and suitable fertilizer water should be given to them to ensure the growth of String of Turtles Plant. The most suitable growth temperature for String of Turtles Plant is around 25℃. Watering is also important. String of Turtles plant is afraid of overwatering. For more care tips after propagation, please read How to Care for String of Turtles Plant.

How to Propagate String of Turtles in Sphagnum Moss

It is frequently advised, mainly for leaf cuttings that are not rooted. You can stick a cut end in sphagnum moss or pin it down laying on the surface until it roots, but I've heard too many horror stories about them rotting on spag moss (keep in mind, however, that the substrate may not be to blame - it's hard to know with so many factors). Personally, I'd give it a miss, or at least move your babies to a different substrate as soon as those roots have formed and you see some initial new growth.

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