[3 Best Methods] for Peperomia Watermelon Propagation

Are you confused about how to multiply the exotic Watermelon Peperomias at home? If so, there are multiple ways to propagate this tropical plant.

These methods work as long as you propagate correctly and provide optimal care at each step.

Best Propagation Methods of Watermelon Peperomia

Peperomia Watermelon (Peperomia argyreia) is a popular tropical plant native to South America that grows everywhere in a warm and humid climate.

The slow-growing plant may take over three years to grow about a foot, but do not hesitate to propagate them.

You can also take the cuttings in the fall when the plant goes into dormancy, but wait until springtime to root it.

The same goes for growing seeds, which are best done in spring before the growing season.

Moreover, the time for propagation would entirely depend on the method.

I. Propagation via Stem Cuttings

Before propagating the plant, examine it for healthy stems with at least 2-3 leaves, and avoid using leggy stems and dead or brown spotted leaves for propagation as they are likely to fail.

• Identify the stem and cut it below the growth node, ensuring a cutting at least 2-3 inches long.
• Proceed with removing the foliage except for one or two leaves at the top.
• Dip the healthy stem cutting in a rooting hormone solution mixed with a fungicide to boost rooting and avoid fungal growth.

A. Propagation in Water

The hydroponics method allows rooting the stem cutting in plain water, making Peperomia Watermelon propagation in water very much possible.

• Obtain a transparent glass or vase and clear off any debris.
• Now, fill the glass with dechlorinated, fresh, or distilled water until half.
• Next, submerge the cutting into the water, where the cut-end remains underwater and the rest outside.
• Place the cuttings in a warm location with indirect sunlight and change the water every 4-5 days.
• Remember, browning water indicates fungal growth, requiring cleaning the glass before refilling.

Wait for 2-4 weeks for the cutting to grow at least 1-2 inches long feeder roots.

B. Propagation in Soil

Once the cutting produces 1-2 inches long feeder root, consider transplanting it to a potting medium.

Otherwise, you can begin with the potting medium itself.

• Start soaking any sphagnum moss or peat-based potting soil with 10% perlite and transfer it to a small pot measuring 2-3 inches in diameter.
• Gently insert the stem cutting into the potting medium, but ensure the leaves do not touch the medium.
• Place it in a warm location with ample indirect sunlight.
• Moisten the mix daily or every few days to boost the rooting process.
• In about 2-3 weeks, the cutting will grow an inch-long feeder root.

II. Propagation via Leaf Cuttings

Leaf-cutting is a bit time-consuming propagation in comparison to stem cuttings. 

• Start with obtaining a healthy-looking leaf by snapping them off the red stem.
• Using a pruning shear, make a horizontal cut precisely through the darker veins, so the leaf is cut about half.
• Once you have collected a few samples, dip them in the rooting hormone.
• Proceed with preparing an appropriate potting mix. Use regular peat-based soil and add 1/10 perlite for aeration and support.
• Moisten the mix and pack it down into small clay, plastic, or terracotta container, about 3″ in diameter.
• Press the mix to squeeze excess water out and make four slits in the soil using a knife or any sharp object.
• Gently insert the cut top-half leaf into the slit, about 2 cm deep.
• Similarly, insert the cut bottom half leaf deeper into another slit, 4 cm or more, for robust root growth.

• Place the cuttings in a warm location with indirect sunlight but remember to close them using a transparent plastic with a few holes to boost humidity.
• No need to water the cutting until it has grown baby leaves, which may take 4-6 weeks or more.
• Once they grow some roots or a tiny leaf in about 2-3 months, you can transplant them to appropriately sized pots.

III. Propagation via Seeds

Although rare, Peperomia Watermelon is also propagated via seeds.

Therefore, obtain fresh seeds from the nursery or get them delivered online beforehand.

• For best results, moisten the seeds in warm water for a few hours beforehand.
• Prepare a seed starter tray with appropriate soilless seed starting mix.
• Next, remove the seeds from the water and add them to the starter tray, one seed per pod.
• Cover the mix slightly with plastic wrap to boost the humidity.
• Set the container in a warm spot with bright, indirect sunlight or under LED grow light.

The seeds would begin sprouting in at least six weeks. Proceed with transplanting the sprouts in a well-draining soil mix with a pH of 6-6.5.

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