I'm living on the eastern coast of India where it's super hot and humid. Summers can get between 25°C to 45°C (77°F to 113°F) and the monsoon hits hard with heavy rains from June to September. I just lost my String of Pearls (SOP) after bringing it home from a cooler, drier hill station nursery. I re-potted it using a mix of coco peat, sand, and pumice in a terracotta pot and kept it in bright indirect sunlight. I was careful not to overwater it, but after a heavy rain, the humidity seemed to make it rot. I lost a few pearls, and then entire strands went dark. I followed most care tips I found online but I'm starting to think that the humidity and temperature are the real culprits. Would keeping it indoors with air conditioning and a grow light help?
2 Answers
It might be worth considering ditching the coco coir entirely. In high humidity, I find that a mix with more grit like perlite and small rocks works wonders. They need good drainage to thrive, especially in a wet environment! What were your proportions, by the way?
Definitely keep it indoors during the monsoon! A grow light could help too. Lots of people with experience suggest protecting succulents from rain, as even high humidity can lead to rot if they're getting extra water from above.
Yeah, that's what I was thinking too! Just keeping it under cover during heavy rains could be a game-changer.
I kind of eyeballed it, which I guess wasn't the best move. I made sure it was gritty and sandy, but maybe I should have gone heavier on the grit. The humidity in my area can get really stifling, but I've heard of nurseries successfully growing SOPs here. Guess I just need to tweak my setup!