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Propagating your peperomia plant is easier than it looks in real life when you know the necessary methods and steps on how to carry out each of them.
However, if you are curious to know these methods and steps on how to do so, then keep reading and scrolling through this article as we have compiled the necessary steps that you must take as well as the various ways that you can care for your peperomia plant after propagation and common problems that might arise.
How Do You Cut Your Peperomia For Propagation?
When you are preparing your peperomia for propagation, there are some necessary steps that you must take to have a successful propagation of your plant at the end of the day.
These steps include:
A. You need to decide on what type of methods of propagation suits you. However, regardless of any method that you choose, you will achieve the same result as long as you do the needful.
B. Do well to look for a healthy and strong stem or leaf between your old plants and trace it back to a growth node. To properly understand what a node means or look-like. Look at your plant and search to see if you will see something that looks like a knuckle where more stems or leaves will grow the main stem. If you can, then congratulations as that is the plant node.
C. Cut under the node of the plant at a 45°degree angle. However, if for instance, you are planning to go through this propagation with a stem-cutting method, you will need to make sure that you have at least 3 inches of stem above the cutting while for leaf-cutting propagation, you will only need the leaf stem.
Methods To Propagate Peperomia
There are three types of methods that you can use to propagate your peperomia plant. These methods include
A. Propagation from a leaf cutting
B. Propagation from stem cutting
C. Propagation by division
However, we can say that among all these three methods there is a specific one that is better than the other. This is because it depends on which method works best for you as all three are easy and can yield equal results.
Let’s discuss the three methods and their respective steps for propagating your plant.
1. Propagating Peperomia From Leaf Cutting
This type of propagation is best done mostly during the warmest months or seasons when the plants are actively growing in the year which is either during summer or spring.
The heat within those periods will help the propagation to become a success. However, if you reside in the warmest area, you also try your propagation during the fall.
To propagate your peperomia plant from a leaf cutting, then follow the steps below.
A. Cut a healthy large leaf which isn’t old or brand new from your plant at its base and place it on a pot filled with some moistened potting mix soil. Ensure that you stick the soil mix firmly to the base of the leaf.
B. Afterwards, water it well and place it in a warm location where it wouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight.
C. Ensure that you keep the soil moist and not soggy.
D. Within 6-10 weeks, you should be expecting to see some roots (new) popping out already.
However, it will likely take some more time to notice some new growth with this method.
It is also important to note that when propagating from the leaf, you should root the leaf in the soil rather than in the water.
Read Also: How Much Sun Does a Watermelon Peperomia Need?
2. Propagating Peperomia From Stem Cutting
To propagate a peperomia plant using this method, take your stem cutting and remove any leaves at the bottom of the cutting. Dip it’s end into a rooting hormone.
After doing this first stage, you will have to choose which of the rooting you prefer. Either by rooting the stem in the water or directly into the soil. Whichever one is good to go.
If you choose to root your stem cutting in the water, then follow these further steps which includes:
A. Place your cutting in a jar filled with clean water and you must ensure that the water level is below the first leaf stem.
B. Endeavor to change the water every 2-3 days to ensure that no form of bacteria growth can occur or affect the process.
One of the most important benefits of using this method is that it allows you to apply some root hormones more than once. This can be done by mixing it in the water the first three times that you are changing the water.
By doing so, it will help to speed up the whole process. Also, once you notice some new root system emerging, plant your cutting in well-draining soil and water it properly. You can start watering the plant regularly if you notice that the top 2-3 inches of the soil is dried out.
Furthermore, if you choose to root the stem cutting directly into the soil, then you should follow the steps below.
A. Plant the cutting in a moistened potting mix after you must have dipped the end in the rooting hormone. While doing so, ensure that you firm the mix around the base of the cutting.
B. Afterwards, water it well and place it in a place with a warm temperature but away from the fire to sunlight.
C. Keep the soil moisturized but not soggy and within 6-10 weeks, you notice some new growths.
However, if you notice any brownish colour on the stem around the base where the soil mix touches. Then, you should try another different cutting as it indicates that it is likely rotten and as such, it wouldn’t yield any plant.
To avoid this from occurring, you should mix some cinnamon in the soil before you place your cutting. You can also use a rooting hormone for propagation promoter as it can be helpful in this situation.
3. Propagating Peperomia From Division
Propagation by division is a method of propagation that involves the division of the plant, usually the root into smaller parts. This method will make room for creating new baby plants.
To carry this method in your peperomia plant, you should follow these steps:
A. Remove your peperomia plant from the pot and divide the roots of the plant into two different sections. Be careful to avoid any damage while removing the plant from the pot.
B. Afterwards, replant each of the sections in the pot and water them. Ensure that each of the root divisions have enough space to grow so as to avoid both plants from suffering from lack of enough nutrients.
Essential Cares For Peperomia After Propagating
When you are done propagating your plant, taking care of the plant by providing the essential care should be your next agenda as it is important in order to ensure that the plant is growing well as it should.
The essential cares that your peperomia plant needs Include:
1. Adequate Sunlight
After propagating your plant, there is a need for you to place your plant in a location or place where it will require the right type of sunlight that it needs to grow well as well as the right amount too.
Your peperomia plant prefers to be exposed to bright indirect sunlight on a daily basis as well as a well-ventilated area. This will help the plant to avoid being too wet and promote its healthy growth.
Also, it is recommended that you keep the plant inside where the temperature and light are relatively very stable. A south-facing window will be good as the plant will receive plenty of indirect light.
Furthermore, if you will be propagating during the summer season, it is important that you get a fan which will help to cool off the temperature of the room Incase it gets hot.
2. Temperature & Humidity Levels
The most ideal temperature for your peperomia plant is between 70°-85°F degree. However, if the temperature gets too cold, the leaves will become etiolated while during hotness, the leaves will become limp.
Furthermore, the humidity level of the plant must be maintained as well with a humidity dome or humidity tray. The water in the tray must be changed every few days to avoid mold or mildew from forming on the plant.
3. Soil Type
Peperomia plants can be grown on any type of soil but among all, there is still a suitable soil type that can aid its growth faster. It prefers to be grown on a well-drained potting mix or an African violet potting mix.
However, you can still make your own home-made potting mix. All you need is to mix equal parts; moss, pertite, and vermiculite.
Furthermore, there are still some indoor plants potting mix that can still yield good returns if added. Just ensure that it is well-drained.
4. Watering
For plants, feeding them water guarantees their survival. So it is important that you water your plants when you are done propagating them. This must be strictly done when you notice that your plants have dried up when touched. The best type of water to use is lukewarm water as cold water can cause a shock to the plant which will lead to some damages.
However, you can still water your plants with cool water and not frigid cold water. When watering this plant, ensure that you saturate the soil completely so that the water wouldn’t rush out from the bottom.
Furthermore, you must set a schedule on how you will water the plant though during the first weeks after propagating, you will need to check on the plant daily to check when the top has dried off.
5. Fertilizer
Peperomia plants don’t need a lot of feeding, so you should avoid feeding them with too much fertilizer. Overfeeding the plant will cause the roots of the plant to burn.
The best time to fertilise your plant is during the spring season before it is actively growing. You can use the general-purpose fertilizer or even a speciality fertilizer made for foliage plants. However, regardless of any of the fertilizers that you apply to your plant, just ensure that you abide by the manufacturer’s instructions on usage.
If you notice any signs on your leaves or stems such as yellowing of the leaves or stunning growth, then to remedy the situation, you need to fertilize more frequently.
6. Repotting
When you see roots growing out from your pot drainage holes, then it means that your peperomia plant needs to be repotted.
To repot your peperomia plant, you need to do the following:
A. Choose a much bigger pot than your previous drainage pot.
B. Remove the plant and root ball from the pot and shake off loose soil.
C. Afterwards, inspect the roots for any signs of root disease, or mushy, decaying roots and trim off if you notice any.
D. Place the Peperomia in the new pot and fill it with the appropriate potting mix.
E. Ensure that the plant is growing at the same height in the pot as previously.
Common Problems Of Peperomia After Propagating
After the propagation of your peperomia plant, some common problems might arise in the long run which include the infestation of pests and diseases.
Some of these diseases Include:
A. Brown And Wilt Leaves
This is usually caused by overwatering your peperomia plant or even lack of sunlight.
To remedy these problems, you need to start observing your plants and reduce the quality of water that you give to your plant. You can get a chopstick and use it to check the soil to know when it needs another round of watering.
You should also try to place your plant in a location where it will receive enough sunlight.
B. Yellowish Leaves
Another common problem that might occur is the leaves becoming yellowish and falling off. This is mostly caused by some factors such as overwatering, underwatering or lack of sunlight.
Whichever one it might be, you need to deal with the problem by allowing your plant to dry out before watering it again, ensuring that you increase the amount of time that you water the plant and try to place your plant at a location where it will be exposed to a bright, indirect light.
C. Infestation Of Pests & Diseases
If you notice any sign of pests such as aphids or mealybugs, then try and remove the pests with a cotton that has been soaked in alcohol.
However, if the severity of the infestation is tough, then you should use a more effective approach which is the use of Insecticides or the application of neem oil to the affected areas.
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FAQs
1. Is Water Or Soil Better For Peperomia Propagation?
All of these elements are very essential to the growth of your peperomia plant. So, you should use both for the propagation of your plant. Just use the one that suits you.
2. What Can I Put In Water To Help Propagation?
To aid propagation in your plant, you can create a rooting solution by dissolving an aspirin in water. Add it to the root and it will help the process faster.
3. Is Rice Water Good For Propagation?
Rice water is good for the growth of your plant. But it isn’t simple bcos, not all plants will want extra nitrate and some plants may have soil with the right kind of bacteria.
Furthermore, it can also be used as fertilizer to increase crop production and for the healthy growth of plants.
It contains a sufficient amount of NPK or Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) fertilizers which are the essential nutrients needed by all plants.
4. What Is The Best Plant Propagation?
There are several plant propagation techniques, including division, budding, and grafting, but cutting is the most popular because it presents the lowest risk to the parent plant.
Conclusion
Propagating your peperomia plant will help your plant to grow healthy. However, there are different methods that you can use to carry out this process, and all of them are very effective if you follow the steps we have provided above for each of them.
After propagating your peperomia plant, ensure that you provide it with the necessary care that will aid the plant to grow healthy and strong.
Do well to tackle any problem that might arise after the propagation of your peperomia plant, and if it is beyond the stated problem above, reach out to a plant specialist for consultations.
