Dischidia ovata (Watermelon Dischidia) Indoor Care and Propagation Guide
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Watermelon Dischidia (Dischidia ovata) blossoms in bright light with some morning sunshine, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with two feedings in the growing season.
Dischidia ovata is a spectacular, fast-growing plant which bears oval-shaped leaves with markings which resemble the rind of the watermelon fruit and hence the common name.
The trailing stems in Watermelon Dischidia bear tiny roots at at every node (where the leaf joins the stem) by which they attach the plant to the growing medium or any surface they come into contact with.
Watermelon Dischidia is one of the best plants for a hanging basket, pedestal, tabletop, desktop, shelf and any other place where the trailing stems can cascade downwards beautifully to display the magnificent foliage.
Botanical name: Dischidia ovata
Family: Apocynaceae
Origin
Dischidia ovata is native to India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Australia where it grows as an epiphyte on trees.
Toxicity
Watermelon Dischidia produces a milky sap which can irritate the skin. Always wear gloves when handling Watermelon Dischidia. It is considered toxic to both humans and pets if ingested.
Types of Dischidia Plants
• Million Hearts Plant (Dischidia ruscifolia)
• String of Nickels Plant (Dischidia nummularia)
Where to Buy
Are you looking to add Watermelon Dischidia to your plant collection?. You may get them online on Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Dischidia ovata Care Indoors
Watermelon Dischidia (Dischidia ovata) blossoms in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning sunshine, average warmth of 18-260C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with two feedings during the growing season.
Dischidia ovata has no need for frequent repotting as it has a small root system. Pruning is needed to keep it neat, to discourage pests and diseases and to control growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
How to water Watermelon Dischidia
Water the Watermelon Dischidia thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season.
Significantly decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as the growth is minimal at this time.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is loose and free-draining to avoid soggy soil as it can result to root-rot disease.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 18-260C during the growing season is ideal for Watermelon Dischidia. Keep it away from drafts as it does not like sudden changes in the temperature.
Moderate humidity of 50-55% is ideal for Watermelon Dischidia. It has no need for extra humidity. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
Watermelon Dischidia grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of morning sunshine. Keep it away from hot midday sunshine. You may position it infront of a bright window which receives sunshine in the morning.
Low light results in a leggy plant while too much sunlight causes the leaves to turn reddish. You may grow the plant under grow lights if the natural lighting is not enough. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant gets light on all sides, which prevents it from becoming leggy.
Potting Soil
The best potting medium for Watermelon Dischidia should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. Cactus and succulents mixes are ideal for this plant.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Dischidia ovata during the growing season with a slow release fertilizer as per the manufacturer's instructions. Take care not to overfeed as the plant is not a heavy feeder. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.
Repotting
Watermelon Dischidia has a small root system so frequent repotting is not necessary. Repot the plant at the beginning of the growing season only when it becomes crowded in its current pot.
Repot into a pot 1 size larger than the current one and ensure that it has a drainage hole to avoid soggy soil as it can lead to rotting. Be careful not to bury the stems to prevent rotting. Use a shallow pot as the plant has small roots. Take your pick from these succulents pots available on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Watermelon Dischidia involves removal of any dead leaves and stems to keep the plant neat and to reduce pest and disease infestations. Trim the stems at the beginning of the growing season if they become straggly to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Watermelon Dischidia (Dischidia ovata) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings.
How to propagate Watermelon Dischidia from stem cuttings
Take 3-5 inches stem cuttings from a healthy Dischidia ovata. Ensure each cutting has 2-3 leaf nodes as this is where new growth witll emerge from.
Allow the cuttings to dry (callus) for about 3-5 days to avoid rotting.
Press the cut end into moist, free-draining soil or lay the stems on top of the soil and lightly press the leaf nodes into the soil.
Place in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until they are rooted.
Allow substancial growth before transplanting your new Watermelon Dischidia after which you can begin routine care.
Dischidia ovata Common Problems
Watermelon Dischidia (Dischidia ovata) growing problems include yellowing leaves, dropping leaves, brown leaves, dying, pests, root-rot among others. Read on for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Yellowing leaves
Watermelon Dischidia leaves may turn yellow due to overwatering, underwatering, little light, cold drafts, pests and underfeeding among other reasons.
Check out these 12 Reasons for Watermelon Dischidia Yellowing Leaves and How to Fix Them
Plant dying
Watermelon Dischidia may be dying due to a number of reasons like root-rot, overwatering, underwatering, underfeeding, being pot-bound, pests, diseases, too little light among others.
Read more on these 11 Reasons Why Dischidia Plant is Dying and How to Fix Them
Elongated stems
Elongated stems in Watermelon Dischidia during the cold season is due to too much water, therefore, water less and maintain the soil barely moist during the cold season.
If elongated stems happen during the growing season, then the cause is too little light. Place the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with some direct morning sunlight or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Pests
The common pests in Watermelon Dischidia are spider mites, scale insects, aphids and mealy bugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as recommended by the manufacturer.
Diseases
Watermelon Dischidia is prone to powdery mildew and leaf spot disease. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it with a fungicidal solution as per the manufacturer's instructions.
Rotting at base of the stem
Rotting plant base and stems collapse in your Watermelon Dischidia is an indication of basal stem rot disease which is brought about by overwet conditions. Avoid overwatering during the cold season. Use the upper stem to propagate new plants and discard the infected parts.
Dropping leaves
Watering Watermelon Dischidia with very cold water is one cause of leaf drop. Water the plant with water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking this tropical plant.
The second cause of leaf drop (loss) in Watermelon Dischidia is underwatering. Water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. >Decrease watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the correct way.
Brown dry leaf spots
Brown dry leaf spots in Watermelon Dischidia are due to underwatering. Water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Cut down on watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
Wilted and discolored leaves
Overwatering during the cold season is the cause of wilted and discolored leaves in Watermelon Dischidia. Reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. In addition, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil.
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