Peperomia is a grassy evergreen. In natural conditions, it is common in India, South America, Africa. The flower includes more than a thousand species. They are decorated with window, balcony openings, interiors of rooms in a house or office. They give the design of the room originality.
Peperomia Lilian is known for its healing qualities. It is planted in children's rooms, where kids often suffer from colds. The phytoncides secreted by the flower have a strengthening, immunostimulating effect on the body. How to grow peperomia yourself, it will be interesting to know for every grower.
general characteristics
Peperomia (photo below) has a huge number of species. Almost all of them are perennials. This diversity allows gardeners to choose the best flower for their interior. Peperomia can grow in the form of a bush. In a small pot you can create a compact, but picturesque composition. To decorate the premises, flower growers prefer to grow shrub and ampelous species. They can also decorate a balcony or window opening.
Lilian is known among gardeners for her decorative qualities. Caperata is the second name of the variety. The plant has delicate, beautiful buds. It was because of their external similarity to the lily of the karate that got its name.
Peperomia prefers to grow in shady places. In natural conditions, it can often be found under trees, on loose soils. It is able to grow even on a rocky surface.
Peperomia caperata (Lilian) , like other varieties of this plant, belongs to the family Peppers. If you rub her sheet, a characteristic smell will appear. The name of the plant comes from the ancient Greek language. Translated peperomia means "like pepper."
Grade description
Peperomia, a photo of which is presented in the article, is a potted plant. Prefers to grow on peaty, loose soils. The snow-white buds that Kaperata produces during flowering have an original appearance. Their delicate petals resemble a lily. The inflorescence expands upward. The buds grow on pink fleshy peduncles. During the flowering period, they rise above the thick dark foliage. After a flowering period, small dry berries appear on the tops of the peduncles.
Peperomia of the variety Lilian is an evergreen shrub of a compact form. Its leaves are heart-shaped and have a rich green color. They grow densely in a pot.
Lilian can reach 32 cm in width and height. It is used in the design of ampelic compositions. Small pots can be hung or placed on a flat surface. Using fantasy and a sense of taste, flower growers can decorate almost any interior with this beautiful flower.
The popularity of peperomia is explained by its resistance to overdrying soil or, conversely, excessive irrigation. It does not require frequent feeding. Even if the owner of the plant for some reason forgot to water the plant for several days, it will tolerate a dry period well. However, the subtleties of peperomy care should be known to everyone who grows it at home. The appearance of the plant, its well-being, depend on this.
Peperomia has many positive qualities . Is it possible to keep such a plant at home , it will become clear after considering its effect on people. Scientists have recognized that the flower positively affects the digestive system and the general atmosphere in the room. Its phytoncides kill pathogenic bacteria, restoring a healthy indoor microclimate.
In addition, it is believed that peperomia is able to restore positive energy in an apartment or house. It sets the people living here in a positive way, brings in positive emotions, reduces the destructive effect of negative moments. If a person comes into the house with evil intentions, it is peperomia that takes the main blow. After such a visitor, the flower may feel bad for some time. Paying attention to nutrition, properly caring for the plant, after a while you can restore the strength of your peperomia.
Other popular varieties
In addition to Lillian peperomia, domestic flower growers also grow other varieties of the plant. About 30 species that grow in the wild can feel good even in a small pot of land. The most popular species in our country include peperomia shriveled, blunt-leaved , magnolia leaf, Rosso, etc. They differ in shape, size of leaves, and also inflorescences.
Peperomia blunt can reach a height of 40 cm. Its rounded leaves are covered with a waxy coating. Cuttings of leaves are thick. Creeping plant is peperomia capitate. Its shoots reach 22 cm in length. It can be grown in ampel form or as a groundcover flower.
Peperomia look quite spectacular: magnolia and round-leaved. In the first embodiment, the leaves are oval. On the surface they have stripes. The color of the veins is dark. In some cases, the leaves have light yellowish spots. The round-leaf variety looks spectacular. Its leaves are very small (up to 1 cm). They cover the shoots, forming a dense bush.
Shriveled peperomia is a very small plant. The bush grows in height to only 10 cm. The leaves are heart-shaped. They rise on pink cuttings. Foliage has a velvety appearance.
The original form of foliage (similar to a crescent) is distinguished by a chisel-like peperomia. It blooms in small buds of green hue. Foliage resembles pea pods.
Relatively tall plant is clublike peperomia. It can grow up to 50 cm in height. The leaves are also quite large and juicy. Their size can reach 15 cm. The plates on the leaves have a purple color.
A bright plant is the Rosso variety. On fleshy leaves, the plates are very bright. They can even be confused with inflorescences.
This is not a complete list of peperomia growing in the homes of our compatriots today. Each grower chooses for himself the optimal variety of plants.
Lighting and temperature
You should adhere to certain recommendations of experienced gardeners when growing a plant such as peperomia Lilian. Home care does not require complicated procedures. It is enough to ensure proper lighting, temperature conditions, water and feed the plant on time. Also, periodically it will need to be transplanted.
When studying the characteristics of growing peperomia at home, you should start with such important conditions as lighting and temperature. Like any plant, the Lilian variety has its own preferences. Peperomia loves sunlight. However, it does not tolerate the direct effect of the rays exerted on the leaves. They fade, become lethargic and tired. If the window in the room faces south, it is better to put a flower pot in the back of the room. In extreme cases, you can leave it on the window, but you should create protection from the sun. To do this, put a small visor over the leaves.
The dark leaves of Lillian peperomia like shadow or partial shade. In such conditions, the plant will be comfortable.
Peperomia does not like sudden changes in temperature. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain it at the same level. In summer and spring, the temperature can range from 20 to 25º. In winter, this level can drop to 17º. If the thermometer drops even lower, there is a danger of various diseases in the flower.
Peperomia should not be taken outside, an open balcony. If it is necessary to transport it, the pot is covered with a dense cloth and tied in a plastic bag. Peperomia does not tolerate drafts. If this moment is missed, the leaves may fade and fall.
Watering and humidity
Home flower peperomia does not need to maintain an increased level of humidity in the room. She will feel good when spraying with or without. Therefore, both dry and wet rooms are favorable for the plant. In the summer, you can spray the leaves with a spray bottle. This will wash away the accumulated dust, as well as refresh the flower.
How to water Lillian peperomia depends on the time of year. During the growing season, it is necessary to provide enhanced watering. Preferred and soft water. Its temperature should be several degrees higher than indoors.
In autumn and winter, watering is reduced. At this time, the plant will respond better to a lack of moisture than excessive watering. Excessive moisture causes the development of fungal diseases. However, do not forget about periodic watering. If the leaves begin to fall off, this indicates a lack of moisture.
Dressing and flowering
Indoor plant peperomia does not need frequent feeding. She can feel fine for a long time without this procedure. However, this is true for those cases when the transplant was carried out in nutrient soil. If the quality of the soil was low, the plant will require fertilizing. Mineral complex mixtures are suitable for this.
When choosing fertilizers, it is recommended to give preference to formulations that were developed specifically for peperomia. Such top dressings are available for sale in specialized stores.
If the soil was poor, top dressing is carried out from March to November 2 times a month. In winter, the procedure is reduced to 1 time. In this case, the leaves on the bush will grow densely. Their appearance will be attractive and healthy.
Particular attention from the grower is required during the development of inflorescences. This process takes a lot of energy from the plant. Most hosts are interested in how peperomia blooms. This event most often occurs in the summer. Lillian buds are considered one of the most spectacular. Therefore, they, unlike inflorescences of other varieties of peperomia, are not cut. During this period, it is required to provide enhanced watering and periodic spraying of leaves.
If the plant is weakened for some reason, it is better not to burden it with additional flowering. In this case, it is recommended to cut them off at the stage of peduncle formation. If this is not done, the already weakened plant will lose its visual appeal. It drops part of the stems, and the leaves fall.
Pruning and transplanting
To give the plant a beautiful, bushy shape, it is pruned. From the top with garden shears you need to cut off weak shoots. It is also necessary to remove wilted leaves. Pruning is best done for young peperomia.
During the first three years of growth, the flower will require a transplant. This procedure is performed quite often. Peperomia, which is transplanted annually, is growing rapidly during this period. After 3 years of growth, this procedure can be carried out every 2 years.
The transplant is performed in March or April. It is during this period that peperomia begins to grow rapidly. She gets cramped in her old pot. There is no need to transplant after purchase. This is necessary only for those plants whose pot dimensions do not correspond to the size of the bush.
Soil selection should be taken very responsibly. The substrate should be loose and include nutritional supplements. They may include peat, humus or sand. If the soil is dense, heavy, peperomia will not be able to develop a full-fledged root system. You should also take care of creating high-quality drainage. This will protect the plant from root decay.
The pot for Lilian should be small and shallow. If the flowerpot is too large, the flower will not have its own characteristic decorative effect. Each year, the diameter of the pot should be increased literally by a couple of centimeters.
At the bottom of the pot you need to pour out drainage material. A substrate is poured on top. Peperomia is established in it. The base of the stem does not deepen. After completion of work it is necessary to water abundantly.
Breeding
Peperomia Lilian, the reproduction of which occurs at home, accepts 3 ways to conduct this process. These include the seed method, cuttings, and also cultivation from the leaf. Each grower can choose the best option according to their preferences.
The most difficult approach is growing peperomia from seeds. The variety Lilian does not produce seeds. They can only be bought at a specialty store. Seeds must be carefully laid out in loose soil. The capacity is covered by glass. During this period, for seedlings, it is necessary to maintain a greenhouse microclimate. The temperature should be at 24º. Humidity should be high. Watering is carried out through a fine sieve. Dive produced after the appearance of 2 sheets. Seedlings should be 2 cm apart. After that, a box with seedlings can be placed on the windowsill. High quality shading should be considered. After the plants are strengthened, they are transplanted into separate pots.
The cuttings method involves placing the top with a pair of knots in moist soil. It should include sand, peat and land. Next, the plant is left to root in a warm, darkened place. This process takes about a month. After this peperomia, Lilian is transplanted into a prepared container.
A healthy leaf with a short cut is planted in the soil. In this case, it is also recommended to provide greenhouse conditions. The container is covered with glass. The first signs of rooting in this case will appear on day 12. The plant will be ready for transplanting in 25 days.
Pest control
Peperomy flower Lilian is considered a fairly disease-resistant plant. Problems arise with improper care. Pests are able to hit weakened shoots, leaves. In this case, a powdery worm, nematodes, ticks or scabies may appear. When the first signs of parasites appear, urgent measures must be taken to destroy them.
The plant must be treated with fungicides. Peperomia is also recommended to transplant into steamed soil. During this period, the plant needs increased attention from the florist. He must follow all instructions for the care of peperomia exactly. In this case, the plant will be able to regain its strength, become beautiful and magnificent again.
The consequences of improper care
Peperomia Lilian with improper care loses its immunity. In this case, it can be affected not only by pests, but also by various diseases. Moreover, by the appearance of the flower, it is possible to determine which negative factors led to such changes.
If the leaves fall, this indicates insufficient watering. This effect can also be observed when installing the flower in a cool place. If brown spots begin to appear on the leaves, you should protect peperomia from drafts. Darkening can also occur with sudden changes in temperature. After the plant is transported unclosed, the appearance of brown spots on the leaves is guaranteed.
If the leaves turn black, the roots rot, this means that the owner is watering the plant too abundantly. Direct sunlight when falling on the leaves will cause yellowing of the plant. Burns may even appear on the leaves. If no action is taken in time when these negative phenomena appear, the plant may die. Therefore, proper care for the flower should be given great attention.
Having considered such an indoor plant as Lillian peperomia, everyone can grow it at home. Providing proper care, you can achieve a magnificent, aesthetic and healthy appearance of the flower.