Peperomia Scandens Variegata – Carla’s Hoya Haven
I love Peperomias almost as much as I love Hoyas. I’m particularly fond of the vining ones like this Peperomia scandens variegata. This is a beautiful light loving plant for a sunny window. I purchased a small 4″ plant in May ’22 from Hirt’s Gardens. It grew so much that by fall I needed to cut it back. It was looking a bit scraggly. I propagated the cuttings semi-hydro in Fluval Stratum and should have potted it up in Peperomia mix a few weeks ago. I now have a second plant almost as large as the one I purchased.
Today I’m potting this one up to give to a friend at work. The best Peperomia mix is 1 part potting mix, 1 part perlite and 1 part orchid mix. My preferred potting soil is Fox Farms Happy Frog which I purchase from Blain’s Farm & Fleet. I’m not so crazy about perlite since it breaks down into a fine grit. So this time I’m using 1/2 part perlite and 1/2 part pumice which I purchased from Bonsai Jack. Pumice holds up better over time and does a great job of aerating the soil. Right now I’m using Miracle-Gro Orchid Potting Mix Course Blend purchased from Lowes. I’m not particular about Orchid mix. I just grab whichever brand is available.
My boy Ronnie above. He’s overseeing the entire operation. He has concerns about my method.
Before potting up the cuttings I need to get them out of the little plastic container of stratum without damaging the roots too much. I got as much of the Fluval Stratum away from the roots as I could. I’m not sure semi-hydro over an extended period of time was good for this plant. It has delicate roots. Most of the root structure is in the upper half of the container where the stratum dried faster. Peperomia like to dry out between waterings. Below left is the root structure before removing more of the stratum.
I like to use these little T4U pots like the one above. These are the plastic 5″ pots with saucers. They make a nice little gift pot with potted plant.
Once I’m done repotting I give it a good water. I like to use Rapid Start by General Hydroponics. One teaspoon per gallon of water. Rapid Start encourages root growth and branching and since the plant’s roots have been a little traumatized by the repotting process they could use a little boost.
Now that it’s finished I have a nice little gift plant for a friend. Well, maybe not so little. That’s an 8″ planter I’m using as a temporary plant stand.
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