Rules for growing and caring for indoor ivy at home
Caring for indoor ivy at home involves following a number of rules. In order for the plant to develop normally, it must be watered in time, fertilized and pruned. Quick protection against diseases and pests is not insignificant. Strict adherence to all recommendations will help to achieve excellent results.
Description and characteristics of the plant
It is a houseplant that has a climbing stem and dense aerial roots. With their help, the culture fastens on the support. Ivy is distinguished by single leaves of a dark green hue with light veins. Variegated varieties also exist. They have 3-7 blades.
Ivy is characterized by small green-yellow inflorescences. However, the culture does not flourish at home.
Indoor ivy has more than 100 varieties, each of which has certain characteristics.
How to plant correctly
In order for the plant to develop normally, it needs comprehensive and high-quality care. First of all, it is worth carrying out planting work correctly.
Choice of capacity
Ivy needs a medium sized pot. It should be made of quality materials. When transplanting a crop, take a capacity 2-3 times larger than the previous one. For ivy, a shallow pot with a large diameter is suitable.
Ground requirements
The plant needs slightly acidic soil. It can include different types of land - leaf, turf, humus. Also included are peat and sand. All components are mixed in equal proportions. It is also allowed to purchase a universal substrate in the store.
Landing scheme
It is best for inexperienced growers to plant a cutting. Each node has root primordia. Therefore, it is very easy to plant and root a plant.
How to transplant correctly
A culture transplant is carried out with a strong growth of the root system. Also, the procedure is carried out when the development of ivy stops. This should be done in the spring, with an interval of 2 years. For transplanting, you need to choose a slightly larger pot than the previous one.
It is recommended to place a drainage layer at the bottom of the container. It is worth replanting ivy by transshipment. The soil must first be watered. Adult plants do not need to be transplanted. In this case, it is enough to change the topsoil.
Rules of care
In order for the ivy to develop normally, it is recommended to provide it with comprehensive and quality care.
Temperature and lighting
It is a shade-tolerant crop that can be placed in partial shade. However, in a place that is too dark, ivy will not thrive. It is best to place the flowerpot in a well-lit place.
At the same time, direct sunlight should not fall on the flower. It should be borne in mind that the plant does not tolerate rearrangement well.
Ivy is able to adapt to any temperature regime. However, the plant can hardly perceive dry and warm air. In the warm season, it is worth providing the plant with a temperature of + 22-25 degrees. In summer, cultivation is carried out. In winter, the temperature should be + 12-14 degrees. It is difficult to provide such conditions at home. Therefore, the plant should be systematically sprayed. If the culture is in a warm room, the pot should be placed in a tray with wet expanded clay.
Ambient humidity
Ivy is considered a moisture-loving plant. Therefore, in conditions of increased dry air, it is recommended to constantly spray it. Periodically it is recommended to organize a culture of souls.
watering mode
The plant needs sufficient moisture. In summer, the soil is constantly moistened, in winter the amount of watering is reduced. To do this, use soft water at room temperature.
Size
If there are bare shoots on the plant, they are completely cut off. In this case, it is recommended to leave 2 kidneys. After pruning, new shoots form in this area - several lumps in a cut area.
The removal of weakened and diseased shoots is not negligible. At the same time, it is not recommended to leave the kidneys on it.
top dresser
Ivy is recommended to be systematically fed with complex fertilizers. For this, it is worth buying a mineral composition for decorative deciduous crops. Fertilization is worth twice a week. This is done from spring to fall. In this case, it is worth observing the sense of proportion. Excessive fertilizing will lead to the loss of decorative properties of the flower.
Bloom
Culture blooms in the fall. It is characterized by small yellow flowers. Also, when growing crops at home, they do not appear.
Breeding methods
English ivy can be propagated in different ways. This allows each grower to choose the best option.
Cuttings
To do this, it is necessary to cut off 10-centimeter shoots of ivy. They are planted in a composition based on sand and leafy soil. From above, the cuttings should be covered with a transparent cap - a bag or a pot. It is important to ensure the temperature regime at the level of + 15-20 degrees. The soil should remain moist. Cuttings with aerial roots root better. When roots appear, the cuttings can be moved to a pot with soil for adult ivy. It is also allowed to root the plant in water.
Escapes
This method makes it possible to grow several shoots from one. To do this, you need to cut off a whole branch with 8-10 leaves and make a longitudinal cut on it. Then put the sprout in the sand. This is done with a downward cut. Then press the handle to a depth of 1.5 to 2 centimeters. The leaves should stay above the ground.
It is important to keep the soil moist during germination.
Roots should form on the shoot within 2 weeks. This is demonstrated by the growth of the shoot tip.Then the branch must be removed from the sand and cut into fragments with roots and at least 1 leaf. The resulting bushes can be planted in a pot.
Layers
This method is similar to growing ivy with shoots. However, in this case, it is not recommended to separate the shoot from the mother plant. To do this, you need to make a longitudinal cut in it and fasten it with staples to the floor surface. When roots form on the shoot, it should be moved to a separate pot.
Diseases and pests
With the development of diseases or attacks of pests, the development of the bush is disturbed.In such a situation, it is worth taking immediate action.
Spider
These pests infect the stems and leaves of the plant. They actively multiply and are able to completely destroy the culture. Insecticides help with pests - for example, Aktara.
cochineal
This pest causes leaf damage. The insects secrete a sticky liquid and contribute to the development of fungal infections. In addition, the worms absorb the juices of the plant and disturb the development of the crop. Insecticides help eliminate them.
Aphid
These pests consume the sap of ivy, causing damage to foliage and shoots. The winged aphid, which spreads rapidly through plants, is particularly dangerous. A soapy solution will help destroy it.
Shield
The larvae of these pests infect ivy, causing a white bloom to appear on the plant. As a result, there is a risk of yellowing and falling foliage. Insecticides help destroy pests.
Problems and possible solutions
When growing a crop, many growers face different issues. In such a situation, it is worth taking action immediately.
Falling leaves
Lack of humidity and increased dryness of indoor air lead to dryness and leaf drop. In addition, the active reproduction of spider mites becomes the cause of trouble.
The leaves are turning yellow
Yellowing of foliage is caused by excess moisture. Over-fertilization also leads to problems.
few leaves
The lack of lighting is the cause of this problem. Also, a decrease in the number and size of leaves is considered a consequence of increasing air temperature.
Pale foliage
The change in color of the leaves is associated with a lack of lighting. In this case, it is enough to move the culture to another place.
Leaf tips dry up
Violation of the rules of care and the wrong temperature regime leads to dry leaves. For this, the culture is moved to a cool place.
Varieties
Today, many varieties of this culture are known, each of which has certain characteristics.
Ordinary
It is the most widespread type of culture. It is an evergreen vine. The plant is characterized by dark green leaves with light veins. The bush is characterized by slow development.
Colchis
It is an evergreen plant with slender branches. It is characterized by large shiny leaves that have a leathery structure. Shade is normal for the crop.
In the shape of a tree
This plant has tree-like shoots. Its flowers cannot boast of decorative properties. The fruits of culture ripen in the spring.
Canary
This plant can be climbing or creeping. It is characterized by large triangular leaves. They are dark green in color and have light streaks. Mature plants have reddish shoots.
Pastukhova
The plant has entire leaves that reach 10 centimeters in length. The top of the plate is bright enough and the bottom is clear. The lower shoots have rounded leaves.
English
This culture can be shaped in various ways. It can be a columnar tree or an ampelous plant. In this case, the leaves are different - elongated, lobed, heart-shaped. Culture has aerial roots.
Flowers can only appear when ivy is placed on a sunny windowsill. They have a yellow tint and are small in size. The berries are dark in color and poisonous. Therefore, English ivy is forbidden to grow in a house with small children.
Plume
This plant is characterized by a variety of shades. The harvest can be yellow or green. She looks very elegant and festive.
This plant is considered very demanding. It needs sufficient lighting.Otherwise the bush will lose its bright colors and become paler and less attractive.
Hoya wax ivy
This variety is characterized by glossy fleshy leaves. Aerial roots appear on the stems. They are sweet at first. This facilitates the formation of the plant. After some time, the shoots become woody. In this case, it becomes much more difficult to shape the culture.
varietal variety
Today, many varieties of this culture are known. Each of them has certain characteristics.
Humming-bird
It is a compact plant with white-green foliage.
Eva
This culture is characterized by yellow leaves.
mona-lisa
This variety is characterized by yellow leaves.
Anniversary
Such an ivy has spotted foliage.
Ivalace
This specimen is characterized by wavy leaves.
Herald
This type of ivy has almost round leaves.
Varied toothing
The culture has oval foliage that has light yellow edges.
Hard sulfur
The leaves of the plant are curved upwards. They are characterized by yellow-green streaks.
Glory of Marengo
This culture is characterized by red shoots.
Streaks
The leaves of this plant are covered with light yellow spots.
Golden leaf
It is an attractive two-tone culture. In the sun, the leaves of the plant acquire a golden hue.
Brigitte
The plant has small leaves that look like stars.
Popular myths
Ivy cultivation is associated with many myths. Culture is often called muzhegon or inseparable. Many people consider her an energy vampire. However, there is no scientific basis for these myths. In the East, ivy is considered a source of energy. In Mediterranean culture, the plant is placed in the matrimonial bedroom. Ivy is believed to strengthen family bonds.
Additional tips and tricks
For the plant to develop normally, it is recommended to take good care of it:
- water on time;
- feed properly;
- remove diseased and dry branches;
- spraying against diseases and pests.
Indoor ivy is considered a popular culture with excellent decorative properties. In order to successfully grow a flower, it is worth providing it with quality care.