Peperomia ferreyrae propagation can be done by cuttings, division, seeds and in water. So, in this article we are going to cover the propagation methods, the after care tips etc.
Peperomia ferreyrae plants are endemic plants to South America and tend to grow in rainforests mainly.
If I briefly explain on the plants, they are perennial epiphyte semi succulent plants which vary in their looks drastically when you compare them with the rest of other Peperomia species.
Peperomia ferreyrae leaves would tend to take a peapod shape and they would further consist of narrow windows as well.
Peperomia ferreyrae stems would lengthen as they grow older. Moreover, they would grow upright and tend to take a bushy look as well.
In addition to aforesaid features, Peperomia ferreyrae plants develop elegant attractive flowers as well. The thickness of the flowers would be about 1.5 – 2 mm.
Peperomia ferreyrae plants grow at a somewhat slow pace. Further you may use these plants as Bonsai plants as well.
Can you propagate Peperomia ferreyrae by cutting?
To answer the question first, yes you can propagate the Peperomia ferreyrae plants by using the stem cuttings.
When you know how to conduct the propagation precisely, it would aid you to expand your plant collection.
Not only that but also, it would help you to rescue your plants if they are suffering from any serious illness. When you exercise this method, you need to ensure that you are using all clean tools.
For example, you may have to make use of tools such as pruning shears, scissors, and knives for this purpose, and you need to make sure that they are all clean before using.
When you use clean tools and equipment it would reduce the probability of having any infection on the plants.
Ideally you need to clean your appliances right after you use them and before using them as well. Needless to mention that you need to wait either spring or summer to resume the propagation process.
If you propagate them in the soil, you need to first choose a healthy stem which comprises at least one or two leaves on it.
Additionally, I suggest you obtain multiple cuttings which are about 2,3 inches in length. To make the cuttings, you can cut them on the lower node of the plants or even on the joint.
When you make cuttings, ensure that they are cut at an angle of 45 degrees. Consequently, it would create a greater rooting surface area for them.
Next allow the cuttings to wither for 24 hours. You may simply locate them either on a bench or in any other outdoor place.
That will help them to develop callousness. Once they develop callous, it would safeguard the plants from any potential infection which would take place.
As the next step, you can plant the cuttings in a well-draining and in a well aerated potting medium. Ensure that the soil mix you use is a light one too.
Additionally, you could dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone so that it would stimulate up the rooting process of the specimen. That said, It is not mandatory to do.
If I briefly describe the soil mix, you could mix ½ part of peat and ½ part of perlite and then make the soil mix.
Once you plant the cuttings you can water them lightly to make the potting medium moistened.Ensure that the bottom nodes of the plants are well established in the potting mix.
Besides, you can cover the specimen with a plastic bag after making a few holes on it. That would resemble the conditions of a green house there and keep some moisture within the specimen.
If you are someone who lives in a colder climate, you can provide bottom heat of about 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Further, you may plant all of these cuttings in one single planter or even in a dish. However, keep in mind to plant the cuttings at a distance of 01 inch.
Additionally ensure that you don’t seal the bag entirely as that way it would trap humidity in excess and lead to health deterioration of the plants.
Once you complete all these steps, you need to still ensure that you constantly keep inspecting the plants.
Besides, you need to take the plastic bag out for about one or two hours on a daily basis. Once you adhere to these tips, it would better the aeration of the plants and secure the plants from rotting.
Moreover, it would allow the plants to absorb light as well. It would take a few weeks’ time and then they would start to sprout.
Give it another one or two weeks and after that you can transfer the plants into a shallow pot. Peperomia ferreyrae plants inherit a root system which is somewhat shallow.
So, do not use a potting mix which is heavy as that would not give you the best results of the propagation process.
Peperomia Ferreyrae Propagation by division
If you spot your Peperomia ferreyrae plants have grown excessively, you can consider removing them from the pots.
You need to remove the plants along with their roots. One might think that you need to clean the older soil around the plants. , that is not essential to do.
You could simply divide the plants into two to three parts by hand. Don’t use a knife to do this task.
Next you can plant these in separate flowerpots in a soil mix which is described in the above. You can take multiple plants if you use this propagation method.
Do they produce seeds?
Peperomia ferreyrae plants flowers with seeds which you can make use of them for the propagation process.
So, if you wish to use the seeds propagation method, you need to first prepare a mix of sand and leafy earth. When you add these, you need to add them in equal amounts. Before proceeding further keep in mind that you need to wait until March or April.
When sowing you should sow them in a soil mix which is moistened. Next you need to cover it with foil or even with glass.
Open the pot two times per week and let them have proper ventilation for some time. Furthermore, you should spray the soil mix with filtered water at room temperature.
Once you spot the seedlings carrying a couple of leaves, you may consider transplanting the plants into other pots.
You should place the seedlings in a space where the temperature would not drop to 20 degrees Celsius. Once they start to grow vigorously you may plant them in separate pots.
Can you root the Peperomia ferreyrae in water?
You could propagate the Peperomia ferreyrae plants in water as well. When you proceed with the water propagation method, you could easily determine if something goes wrong in the specimen.
Consequently, that will allow you to remedy the issues and rectify it. So, you can follow the same steps as in the soil propagation method and obtain the cuttings and place them in a water jar.
Moreover, ensure that you submerge the nodes of the plants in water. Once this is complete, you can place the specimen in a spot where there will be bright indirect sunlight available.
Not only that but also, you need to inspect the water level as well as the water quality on a constant basis too. I suggest you replace the water once every two weeks or so.
The only disparity between the soil propagation and the water propagation is the change in the growing medium.
Literally you would submerge the cuttings in water when you proceed with the water propagation method.
The roots would start to form within one or two weeks. However, you need to consider transplanting them into regular pots only if they are at least 2 inches in length only.
A small tactic which is practiced by many gardeners is that they add a little potting mix to water and then apply water.
Continue doing this until you replace them with soil. Once you follow these small tips, it would make it easy for the young plants to thrive when you shift them to soil medium. In other words, it would avoid any transplant shock which could take place.
How to treat after propagation
Sunlight requirement
Peperomia ferreyrae plants would prosper only if you could fulfill the necessary sunlight requirements. Make sure that you provide bright indirect sunlight and not direct sunlight.
Having said that, Peperomia ferreyrae plants can withstand full sunlight for two hours on a daily basis. Refrain from using intense direct sunlight as it would ruin the success of the propagation.
Peperomia ferreyrae plants can tolerate medium to bright sunlight intensities. If there is low lighting available, you can supplement the sunlight by placing grow lights.
The best grow light which would work well with them would be fluorescent tubes. You should place the plants closer to bright sunny windowsills when you grow them indoors.
Watering requirement
Peperomia ferreyrae plants would perform well with moderate watering.
However, what you need to keep in mind is that they have naturally been constructed to conserve water in the bodies and due to that you need to avoid applying too much water.
If you accidently happen to over water them, it will result in adverse effects on the plants. The possibility to conserve water helps them to thrive in hot and arid conditions in drought.
When applying water, you need to always ascertain whether their stop layer of the soil is dry. If you are sure that it is dry, you need to immediately start watering the plants.
On the other hand, if you think it is still moist from the previous watering, you can wait for a couple of more days and then water.
You need to change the frequency of watering based on the prevailing climate too. To elaborate further on this, you can water the plants fortnightly during summer.
On the other hand, you can limit watering to once a month in winter. Irrespective of the season you water them, you need to always ensure that you allow their soil to dry between two watering sessions.
Temperature requirement
Temperature wise, an optimal temperature range between 65 degrees Fahrenheit – 75 degrees Fahrenheit would fit in for these plants.
These plants are native to tropical regions which literally means you need to grow them in warmer temperatures right throughout the year.
These plants do not have any frost tolerance. Hence refrain from exposing the plants for temperatures which get dropped to 10 degrees Celsius.
Humidity requirement
Peperomia ferreyrae plants have somewhat contrasting humidity requirements when compared with the other Peperomia plants.
In fact, Peperomia ferreyrae plants fancy having high humidity levels for their vigorous growth. A humidity level of 50 % would work well with them.
The prolonged exposure for dry air and low humidity levels would impact the plants very badly and result in major repercussions.
For example, it would make them wilt and lose the vigor in the plants. If you wish to enhance the humidity levels, you can consider placing humidifiers, pebble trays etc.
In addition to that you may consider misting the plants too. It is noteworthy that you need to avoid placing the plants closer to ac vents and heaters.
The right humidity levels would be quite beneficial in maintaining the healthy growth of the Peperomia ferreyrae plants.
Soil requirement
Best is to use a peat-based soil mix to grow the Peperomia ferreyrae plants.
Once you go ahead with a peat mixed soil mix, it will provide a good aeration and excellent drainage for the plants which are two utmost requirements of the Peperomia ferreyrae plants.
If you wish to further enhance the texture and the structure of the soil, you can be tactful in adding elements such as perlite, vermiculture, gravel and sand.
The right pH level of the ideal soil mix should be around 5-7. If you wish to ascertain this, you may make use of a pH meter and then check. Lastly, I recommend you use a sterile soil mix as well.
Fertilizer requirement
Peperomia ferreyrae plants do not rely on fertilizers a lot. A light feeding would be sufficient for them to flourish.
However, if you feed them twice a month, it would be quite effective in boosting the healthy growth of the plants. That said, you need to always bear in mind to dilute the fertilizers and then apply on the plants.
Avoid feeding the plants in fall and winter and always refer to the labeled instructions when feeding them. Do not apply fertilizers in abundance as it would even turn out to be fatal on the plants.
Conclusion
To sum up on what we discussed here, propagating Peperomia ferreyrae plants is quite an easy task to do.
You may either use the stem cutting method, seeds propagation method or use the divisions method to propagate the plants.
Besides, bear in mind that you need to adhere to the aforesaid after care tips as well. If you adhere to these facts, you will definitely succeed with propagating them.
Read Next : Portulaca Molokiniensis Propagation (4 Effective Methods)
