Peperomies are herbaceous evergreen undersized plants, less often semi-shrubs. They can be one or perennial, epiphytes or rock plants. Peperomies have thickened shoots, whole leaves with a regular, opposite arrangement, of various shapes. Small bisexual flowers form cylindrical ears. Peperomies are cross-pollinated.
Most species are cultivated as ornamental plants in horticulture and indoor conditions. Often found in ampel compositions, decorative groups and epiphytic trunks. This plant attracts a wide variety of forms of leaves and flowers. The latter form thin inflorescences - ears, - resembling rat tails. In some species, inflorescences are collected in groups in small panicles; in others they have the shape of scallops. Flowers are formed in conditions of short light day. Fruits - berries, are easily detachable when touched. Sometimes peperopia is grown in a very limited space such as a bottle garden.
Care instructions
Lighting. Indoor plants like the scattered light, do not tolerate direct sunlight. It is best to place the plant on the western or eastern windows. Windows with a southern direction are suitable for growing peperomy only at a distance from the window, or they require the creation of diffuse lighting with the help of translucent fabric or paper. Note that the types of pepermia with green leaves tolerate undue shading, while the variegated species constantly need bright diffuse light. In winter, too, good lighting is needed. To do this, install additional lighting using fluorescent lights. Remember that they should be placed 55-60 cm above the plant and use at least 8 hours a day. Peperomy grows well and with completely artificial light, then the backlight should work about 16 hours a day.
Temperature regime. Plants of peperomy need warm maintenance throughout the year. In spring and summer, the optimum temperature is 20-22 ° C, in the cold periods of the year - 18-22 ° C, not lower than 16 ° C. The plant is very afraid of drafts. Watch the temperature of the substrate, it should not fall below 17-20 ° C: the root system of the pepermia does not tolerate hypothermia.
Watering. In the summer and in the spring it is necessary to water the pyperium abundantly, using soft standing water for this. Please note that the temperature of the water used for irrigation should be 2-3 ° C higher than the air in the room. During the cold season, the watering is moderate. Humidification for peperomy is very dangerous, as it is fraught with decay of roots and even stems. Therefore, allow the earthman to dry well in the intervals between irrigation. However, the plant also does not tolerate drying out: the foliage withers, and then its fall.
Air humidity. Humidity of air does not play a special role in the cultivation of pepermia. The plant is completely resistant to dry air. However, favorable humidity is considered to be in the range of 50-60%. In summer, it is recommended to periodically spray foliage folium; In winter this procedure is not necessary.
Top dressing. Top dressing is performed no more often than 2 times a month in the period from spring to autumn. In winter, one should fertilize pyperomy with complex floral top dressing once a month.
Formation. To form dense lateral branches, it is recommended to prick the tips of shoots of peperomy.
Transfer. Young plants must be transplanted every spring. For plants older than 3 years, the recommended frequency - nbsp; 1 time in 2 years. When choosing a container for transplantation, follow the following rules: the pot should be shallow, and its diameter should exceed the diameter of the previous one by a factor of 1.5. Substrate should be used loose, easily permeable to water and air. It is possible to use a mix of the following composition: leaf earth, humus, peat, sand in the proportion (2-3): 1: 1: 1. The acidity of the soil should be in the range of 5.5-6.5. Remember that for peperomy you need good drainage. Well cultivated by methods of hydroponics.
Reproduction. Peperomy is a plant that can be propagated by seeds or vegetatively (by dividing the bush, leaf and stem cuttings). In the case of seed propagation, sowing is performed in a bowl. In this case, use a mixture of sheet earth and sand in equal proportions. Then the plates should be covered with glass and set in a small glass. The optimum temperature at this stage is 24-25 ° C. Before the appearance of sprouts, it is necessary to keep the substrate moist by doing it through a fine sieve. At the stage of a good one or a second leaf, shoots are transplanted into boxes at a distance of 2x2 cm. The composition of the substrate is the same. During this period the seedlings are particularly in need of good lighting, however, bright sun rays should be avoided, creating a shade.
Then strengthened young plants are transplanted into 5-8 centimeters containers one by one. In this case, use a mixture consisting of sheet, peat, turf and sand, in a ratio of 2: 2: 1: 1. At vegetative propagation cut apical or caulis cuttings with 1-3 sites. The procedure is better to spend in the warm season. As a substratum, peat, humus-leaf earth and sand are used. The creation of a miniteplike accelerates the rooting of the cuttings. Some growers root the cuttings in the water. The container with cuttings should be placed in a warm place. At a temperature of 24-25 ° C for rooting cuttings will take 3-4 weeks. In the rest, nursing is similar to that of seedlings.
These houseplants can be propagated by leaves. They are planted in the sand with short petioles. Create a small-box. After 3-4 weeks, the already rooted leaves are planted in 7-centimeter pots. Plant division is performed in spring during the transplant.
Difficulties in growing
Falling leaves can talk about a violation of the irrigation regime, in particular its delays. If the tips and edges of the leaves become brownish - the cause is a draft or a sharp temperature drop.
If the leaves become faded and sluggish, there are spots of decay on them, which means that the soil is too waterlogged and the temperature in the room is very low.
The leaves wrinkle and fade - cause in excess of light, move the plant away from the window.
If the leaves begin to fall, this indicates a too cold plant content.
Pests: spider mites, nematodes, mealy moth, scabies, thrips.