Key Points for Cultivating Watermelon Peperomia
Today's topic will delve into the details of cultivating the watermelon peperomia herbaceous flowers. The main points for cultivating watermelon peperomia are as follows:
Watermelon peperomia thrives in a warm, humid, semi-shaded environment with high air humidity. To maintain the beautiful variegation of its leaves, the following points must be observed:
1. Substrate
It should be cultivated in loose, fertile soil with good drainage. It grows poorly in clay. Potting soil should be a mixture of decomposed leaf soil and coarse sand or coal ash. You can also use peat soil mixed with perlite.
2. Temperature
Watermelon peperomia is intolerant to severe cold and extreme heat. The optimal growing temperature is between 20-30°C. Growth slows down when temperatures exceed 30°C or drop below 15°C. The minimum temperature in winter should not be lower than 10°C, otherwise it may suffer frost damage, and even develop physiological diseases.
3. Soil
Use a potting mix mainly composed of decomposed leaf soil, mixed with a small amount of river sand.
4. Light
As watermelon peperomia is shade-tolerant, it should be placed in a bright, diffused light area indoors, avoiding direct sunlight. In spring and autumn, it should be moved to an outdoor location with good ventilation and some sunlight. It prefers semi-shaded or diffused light, and can be kept in full sun only during winter. In summer, it must be shaded by 50%, otherwise the leaves may be scorched. Excessive shade will make the leaves dull and gray, and the variegation will not be distinct.
5. Water
During the growing season, the potting soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged, as this can cause root rot and leaf drop, or even kill the entire plant. In summer and dry seasons, spray the leaves with water 2-3 times a day to increase humidity and promote the formation of leaf patterns. It is susceptible to both drought and waterlogging; drought can cause wilting, yellowing, and even death, while waterlogging can lead to root rot. Keeping the potting soil slightly moist is sufficient, or water when the surface of the soil is dry. In winter, if the temperature is slightly lower, watering should be controlled to allow the soil to alternate between dry and wet.
6. Fertilizer
Usually, a dilute cake fertilizer or compound fertilizer should be applied once a month. Nitrogen fertilizer should not be excessive, as a lack of phosphorus can cause the leaf patterns to disappear, reducing the ornamental value. Use a balanced fertilizer, and do not apply nitrogen fertilizer alone, as this can cause the "watermelon" stripes to become indistinct and greatly reduce the ornamental value. It's best to use a dilute liquid fertilizer to water the potting soil, as too concentrated fertilizer can cause plant necrosis.
7. Humidity
Watermelon peperomia requires high air humidity and does not tolerate dry conditions. In addition to regular watering, the plant should be sprayed with water frequently. If possible, it's best to mist the growing environment to increase humidity, which is beneficial. In a dry environment, leaf growth is abnormal.
8. Disease and Pest Prevention
Diseases and pests are rare, with leaf spot disease being the most common. It can be controlled by spraying fungicides like carbendazim or metalaxyl. Pests mainly include red spiders and scale insects, which can be controlled by spraying specific insecticides, such as dicofol or dinotefuran for red spiders, and fenvalerate or chlorpyrifos for scale insects. Attention should be paid to the disinfection of the cultivation site, pots, and soil. Root neck rot and canker diseases can be controlled by spraying Bordeaux mixture.
The methods for cultivating watermelon peperomia introduced above can serve as a reference for everyone.