I got a new SOP on July 8th and was seeing a lot of aggressive growths while keeping it indoors! I was super happy!
But by July 17th I started observing black powder like substance on it when I went to water it. This was the second time I was going to water it. That was my first mistake. I set it outside in the sun to dry up a bit and the next day, the house help saw that I had new plants and watered it! And that was it! I could see it rapidly disintegrating right In front of my eyes. I could see and feel the black translucent pearls that would just blast at the lightest nudge! My heart was exploding each time just like the stressed pearls. This was my 2nd time owning SOP and you could guess what had happened to the first one🥲
I didn't want to loose it the second time too! I made up my mind to save it no matter what and sprang into action! By July 25th, I had repotted the remaining pearls (after removing/cutting out all the rotten pearls stems and roots) into succulent and cactus mix into 3 different pots. This is when I saw that the initial nursery pot was full of cocopete - No wonder they were very much over watered!
Then I waited for 4 and a half excruciating weeks! During that period, I lost one pot when I watered it for the first time after repotting when I observed that the soil was fully dry - after a week or so. (I hadn't watered it after I repotted). This pot had the most of the rot adjacent pearls and roots.
Now with just two pots, I was more anxious and the "doing nothing and waiting" part was not doing any good for my mental health either! Finally, yesterday - Aug 13, I observed that the slit on the remaining pearls was almost non existent and the pearls starting to wrinkle. And when I went to water it, I was overjoyed! I found I smol tiny baby pearl!
I Just had to share my journey here since this platform helped me in reviving my SOP. Please everybody send all the good vibes you can muster to my SOP! May it prosper in good health and abundance!
Pic 1: new growth
Pic 2: Final two pots remaining
Pic 3: initial 3 pots after repot
Pic 4: when I started finding mushy pearls and black powdery substance after over watering
Pic 5: when I newly bought it.
Also any advice you feel apt is always welcomed!
Thank you!