Ivy and its characteristics
The ivy plant, of the Araliev family, has more than 4,000 varieties, most of which grow in regions with a tropical climate. Individual species are not always easy to distinguish from each other. Common ivy (Hedera helix) is the most common in home cultivation. Persian ivy (H. colchica) and Canary ivy (H. canariensis) are cultivated somewhat less frequently.
What does indoor ivy look like? It is easy to care for, unpretentious and very decorative. The popular potted creeper can reach over a meter in length and hangs from a hanging basket.
The plant has many variations in the color and shape of the leaves, which come with different edging or with spots in the center. Flowers – a yellowish cob with a greenish bract, very rarely develops in home care. The stems grow quickly – up to 40 cm per year.
Note!! Ivy is a poisonous plant. All its parts contain saponins, which irritate the skin and conjunctiva of the eyes, and if ingested, cause disorders of the digestive tract and nervous system.
An ornamental plant cleans the air in the house, requires minimal maintenance.
Indoor ivy care
Ivy is planted both in the garden and at home, but it is worth remembering that home ivy cannot be grown in the garden, and garden ivy cannot be grown at home. Varieties adapted to growing indoors are susceptible to frost, while those grown outdoors will not do well in a pot.
Ivy is easy to grow at home, grows quickly and rarely gets sick. The most important part of indoor ivy care is light, and the plant should be placed in a moderately lit area.
Additional Information! Direct sunlight can cause leaf scorch, but in low light, foliage variegation is less pronounced.
Home ivy does not like high indoor temperatures. Unlike most houseplants, it prefers cooler climates, making it easier to care for. It thrives well in temperatures between 10 and 21°C. It handles relatively dry air with ease.
Watering and fertilizing
Ivy loves well-drained soil. In spring and summer, (during the growing season), the substrate should be constantly moderately moist. Plants should be watered with water at room temperature about 2 times a week. In winter, watering is limited. The plant must not be allowed to dry out or become waterlogged so that the soil remains wet for too long. After watering, remove excess water from the pot stand.
Care should also include regular feeding. Houseplants, like those growing in the garden, need to be fertilized regularly. There is usually little substrate in pots, and minerals are quickly used up, so they need to be constantly replenished in the form of fertilizer. Top dressing not only affects faster growth, but also increases the aesthetic value of plants, (correctly colored and larger leaves).
Fertilize ivy from spring to autumn with fertilizer for green plants, about once a month. Choose a fertilizer adapted to the specific requirements of the plant. Do not fertilize in the winter, as during this period the ivy has peace, and fertilizer at this time can do more harm than good. You can use organic fertilizers – they improve the properties of the soil, act for a long time and do not cause the risk of overdose.
pruning
Proper pruning is an important procedure that gives the plants a beautiful look.
Branching is reduced by systematic pruning of side shoots. The main shoots should be shortened at least once a year. Do it at any time of the year.
Transfer
An ivy plant in an apartment can grow for more than 10 years. Repotting is necessary because the nutrients in the substrate are used up. As the green mass grows, so do the roots. Roots should not be allowed to grow from the bottom of the pot.
Choose the right substrate for the given plant species, paying attention to the structure, composition, acidity and nutrient content of the substrate. Before transplanting, the plant should be watered abundantly so that the substrate is well saturated (this will make it easier to remove the root ball from the pot). After planting, the planted plant is also watered, and protected from direct sunlight for 2-3 weeks. If the bush cannot be transplanted, replace the top layer of the substrate. This is usually done with old and large plants.
Ivy propagation at home
Reproduction is carried out by stem or apical cuttings. The lower leaves are removed from them, and the branches are planted in pots filled with garden soil and sand, in a ratio of 3: 1. Seedlings are watered, covered with foil and placed on the windowsill. The cuttings take root at a temperature of about 15°C, under a covered film, which ensures high humidity. They should take root in about 3-4 weeks, then remove the film covering the container.
Most types of ivy root easily in water. To create new plants, cuttings are rooted in water when pruning vines.
When propagating by layering, pots of earth are placed around the ivy, and the selected shoots are bent into them. Roots should appear on the soiled area in a few weeks. When this happens, cut off the stem from the mother plant and place it in a separate pot.
Additional Information! Cuttings can be rooted at any time, but it is better to use the growth phase, which lasts from spring to early autumn. At this time, the roots and new leaves grow faster. In addition, the old plant copes better with the loss of shoots and the cuts heal more easily.
The young plant is kept moist and also fertilized regularly, as it needs a lot of nutrients for growth.
rest period
During the low light season, spotted ivy has a dormant period. Reduce watering, stop feeding completely.
Diseases of pot ivy
Unfavorable conditions can result in dry air, too high ambient temperatures, and too much sunlight. Improper watering can cause serious problems. Too little water causes the white patterns on the leaves to disappear, and because of the lack of water, the ivy in the pot wilts. Root rot is usually caused by a poorly draining potting mix or watering too often.
Bacterial ivy leaf spot is the appearance of irregularly shaped light brown spots that turn black over time, and the infection covers the entire plant, causing the death of leaves and shoots.
When the disease is just beginning to develop, cut off the affected parts of the bush. Healthy shoots and leaves should be sprayed with a bactericidal preparation.
Ivy can be attacked by pests. Dry air promotes the appearance of spider mites. Thanks to their activity, the leaves of the plant acquire a yellow-brown color, and a cobweb appears on their surface. If insects appear, remove the diseased parts of the ivy and spray the plant with a suitable insecticide.
Popular types and varieties of home ivy
There are many cultivars that differ in leaf size, shape, and color. Common ivy is the most common species, both as a groundcover and for growing in a pot. Valued for unpretentiousness.
Varieties suitable for pot growing:
- Pixe – with narrow, heavily cut leaves;
- Lancet – an narrow-leaved variety of dark green color;
- Glacier – a fast-growing variety with small dark green leaves with a white border around the edge;
- Hummingbird – with marble leaves, with yellow-green or white spots;
- Eva is a slow-growing variety with large leaves with a wide white border;
- Ovata – with triangular, dark green leaves;
- Midas Touch is a very ornamental variety with golden leaves;
- Crested parsley is an unusual ivy with wavy and almost round leaves;
- Lady Key is a variety with small, thin, almost triangular leaves.
Colchis ivy
The name of the plant species comes from the Georgian Colchis Valley. Ivy of this species is less resistant to cold, so they are grown in apartments. Three varieties of Colchis ivy are popular:
- Dentata – has large, heart-shaped, slightly elongated leaves slightly reminiscent of linden leaves;
- Dentata Variegata – a variety with heart-shaped and slightly serrated leaves covered with cream spots,
- Sulfur Heart – characterized by large, wide leaves, covered with spots of various shades of green.
Canarian ivy is relatively rarely grown. It comes from the Canary Islands. He is a little more demanding: he needs more fertile soil and a fairly warm place. In pot culture, the most common variety is Gloire de Marengo, which is distinguished by variegated leaves with a white border.
Algerian ivy is cold sensitive, making gardening impossible. Its large, shiny, dark green leaves with lighter veins are definitely impressive.
