Watermelon peperomia is very popular among flower growers. This is due to the fact that the plant has an original appearance, its leaves remind everyone of their favorite berry. The culture is unpretentious, convenient in cultivation and care.
What does it look like to which family
Watermelon peperomia belongs to the pepper family. It is a perennial evergreen culture. Flowers differ in variety variety, so everyone can choose the perfect variety for themselves.
Peperomia foliage looks like a watermelon
A common feature in all varieties is leathery shiny foliage, but it also differs in color and shape. In some species, the leaves are small and thin, in others - fleshy and wide plates with twisted ends.
Interesting to know! If you gently rub the leaf plate of peperomia, it will begin to exude an aroma reminiscent of the smell of bell pepper.
A variety of watermelon peperomia is easily identified by a botanical description. No other culture has such remarkable leaves.
Common varieties
Peperomia is represented by a variety of varieties. The brightest representatives:
Variegate
The variety is distinguished by beautiful leaves with a fancy motley color and unusual shape.
Variegate Peperomia
Climbing
The culture grows to 1.5 meters in height. With age, the leaves of the bush change color from beige to cream. Indoor flowers are undemanding in care and maintenance.
A variety of climbing peperomies
Shriveled
A decorative culture that stands out from the rest with a miniature view. Adult bushes do not grow more than 10 cm. It blooms with white buds that emit a unique aroma.
Representative view of a shriveled
Lillian
A low-growing variety that resembles lilies. After flowering, berries form on the plant.
Miniature Lilian is popular among gardeners
Silver
Popular view. He is valued for beautiful light leaves with dark veins. In general, the plant has more than 30 varieties. Each of them differs in shape, size and features in the cultivation.
Silver peperomia is famous for its unusual color of leaves.
Healing properties
With regard to medicinal properties, it is generally accepted that peperomia has a beneficial effect on the health of households. She is capable of:
- improve the digestive system;
- normalize the state of the biliary tract.
On a note! The appearance of the flower cheers up. And if you believe the signs, the plant removes the negative atmosphere in the room.
Briefly about the history of the appearance
The homeland of watermelon peperomia is considered to be South and Central America, as well as India. It was there that this unusual flower was first discovered. Most often it can be found in tropical forests, it prefers to grow in shady undergrowths, as well as on a tree trunk. The plant is literally attached to the bark.
Peperomia has the ability to accumulate moisture in its own leaves, which is why it can do without water for a long time.
Care Features
Watermelon peperomia is an unpretentious culture. She does not require increased attention to herself. Florists love her for these qualities.
Temperature
For normal growth and development, the plant needs the right climatic conditions. A certain temperature regime must be maintained in the room, namely:
- in the summer - 20-22 ℃;
- in winter - 18-20 ℃.
It is important to monitor the temperature of the substrate. It should not be below +17 ℃. In colder soil, the root system of peperomia is difficult to maintain viability.
Lighting
Culture prefers eastern and western window sills. If the pot is on the south side, then the flower needs blackout.
In winter, on the contrary, the plant lacks light, so it will have to be artificially highlighted.
Note! Daylight hours should not last less than 8 hours. For this, fluorescent lamps are used.
Watering
Irrigation water should be at room temperature. Abundant watering is carried out during the growing season and flowering, the rest of the time water is brought in as usual. The main thing is to prevent the drying out of the earth, this has a bad effect on watermelon peperomia.
Spraying
If in the room where the flowerpot stands there is too dry air, spraying is carried out without fail. Otherwise, the peperomia will begin to dry. This should be done at least once every three days.
Humidity
Tropical culture needs high humidity. If this indicator is low in the house, then you have to spray the bushes daily. A container with water, which is placed next to the pot, will help correct the situation.
Priming
The substrate for peperomia should be loose, saturated with nutrients. It can be made independently of the following components:
- humus;
- garden land;
- sand;
- peaty soil.
All components are taken in equal volume. When choosing a flower pot, they prefer deep containers so that the root system feels free.
Top dressing
As for fertilizers, they are applied all season, start in April and continue until autumn. Two top dressings are carried out per month. Ready mineral complexes are suitable for this.
In winter, the flower is not fertilized, since it is at rest, nutrients can cause its activity. The plant will not be able to fully recover.
When and how it blooms
Each variety of peperomia blooms in its own way. It is sometimes extremely difficult to achieve flowering. Some gardeners have been waiting for the appearance of inflorescences for years. In good conditions, inflorescences appear in late spring or the first days of summer.
Peperomia throws flower stalks in the form of cobs
Types of flowers
During flowering, numerous buds appear on the shoot, reaching up to 7 cm in length. They have the appearance of a thin bent process.
Additional Information! In the end, in some varieties, in place of inflorescences, fruits form that can be easily separated from the cob.
Flower shapes
The shape of the buds depends on the variety. The shriveled ejects antennae, on which later white cobs are formed. The view pleases with buds throughout the year.
In a whorled, a long peduncle appears. Chisel-like peperomia in summer covered with small white-green flowers.
Flowering period
The ovary of inflorescences at room culture begins in the spring and lasts all summer. Some representatives are able to bloom throughout the year without going into a dormant state. After this, the plant rests for several years.
Pruning
Cut the indoor plant for sanitary purposes, when it is necessary to remove dried shoots and improperly growing stems. Often, heavy branches break off and damage the stem, so they should be disposed of.
On a note! Some gardeners carry out the procedure to give the culture a decorative look so that the bushes look magnificent.
How watermelon peperomy propagates
Reproduction of peperomia produced in several ways. The choice of method depends on the capabilities and experience of the grower. It is worth considering each option in detail.
Seed germination
Seed reproduction begin in early May. Before planting, the seeds are soaked. After an hour, they are laid out on the surface of a moist nutrient substrate and sprinkled with soil.
The container with planting material must be covered with plastic wrap. This will provide a greenhouse effect. After 50-60 days, the first shoots will appear.
Note! Peperomia can be planted on individual flowerpots only when a third leaf appears on the process.
Rooting cuttings
The procedure is carried out in the spring. To do this, do the following:
- cut off the shoot with a sharp knife, 2-3 independent buds should be present on it;
- planted in nutrient soil, covered with a plastic bottle;
- place the container with the handle in a warm place;
- after the formation of roots, they are planted in a separate pot.
Usually the whole process takes about a month. During this period of time, the root system manages to develop normally. Then the flower is provided with standard care.
Propagation by cuttings is carried out in the spring.
Other options
Some gardeners use leaves for propagation. They simply stick with an edge into the substrate, and cover with a plastic cup on top.
Another option is dividing the bush. For this, the plants are taken out of the pot, divided into several parts, and then planted in separate containers.
Transfer
The first transplant of peperomia is carried out for 3 years. Young bushes do not need this procedure. An adult plant is transplanted into a new pot once every two years. This is best done in April.
The event is held as follows:
- a drainage layer is laid in the flower pot so that the liquid does not accumulate in the soil;
- a nutrient substrate is added to 2/3 of the total volume of the pot;
- a plant is placed in the center and covered with earth;
- the soil is compacted and moistened.
Important! Feeding newly transplanted peperomia should not be. The new soil contains nutrients that are enough for normal development. Excess fertilizer can be harmful.
Possible problems in growing watermelon peperomia
Flowers do not get sick so often if they are properly looked after. It is important to provide them with conditions that are as similar as possible to their natural environment.
Pests
Like any other vegetation, peperomia is attacked by harmful insects. Most often on the flowers appear:
- thrips;
- mealybugs;
- scale insects.
You can get rid of them with the help of insecticidal drugs.
In order to avoid problems in the future, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures. Inspect the watermelon peperomia bushes for pests. Most often they hide on the back of the sheet. With a small lesion, you can treat the plant with a soapy solution.
Other problems
Often, flower growers encounter problems when growing an indoor flower due to improper care. The plant begins to hurt against the background of hypothermia or waterlogging of the substrate.
There are several external signs that indoor culture needs something:
- leaf falling indicates a lack of moisture, it is necessary to increase the amount of moisture;
- a brown border on the foliage indicates a low temperature in the room, the flower freezes;
- putrefactive foci - a clear sign of excess water in the ground;
- shriveled leaves are a signal that there is not enough light in the room, you should rearrange the pot in a lighter place or install additional lighting.
Watermelon peperomia will become an interior decoration with proper care
If at least one of the signs is observed, you should immediately take measures: check the humidity in the room, eliminate drafts. Care should be taken to care for watermelon peperomia at home.
