Indoor Ivy
Ivy (Hedera helix) occupies a special place among climbing ornamental plants. It is characterized by rapid growth and amazing unpretentiousness. Even with minimal care, its long, flexible stems grow well and cascade down from hanging pots like a cascade of green leaves. The flower can be formed in the form of a bush or shaped into any curly support. In a room, it can act as a beautiful green screen and visually divide the space. All members of the Hedera genus are perennial climbing vines. There are aerial roots on the stems, with which the plant clings to the rough surface of the support, and rises high up them, growing at the same time by several meters. There are many varieties and species that differ in shape, color and size of leaves. In most plants, they resemble carved maple leaves. However, there are other varieties. Some have large, heart—shaped leaves, while others have tiny, dense, diamond-shaped leaves. The leaf sizes range from 3-4 cm to 10-15 cm. For lovers of indoor floriculture, the variegated forms of the plant are of the greatest interest. Their color can be dark green, olive, cream, with highlights and streaks of white or yellow. Varieties of Marginate and Variegata have white stripes on the green background of the leaves. The Slava Marengo and Little Diamond varieties have small speckled leaves, while the Chicago Variegata variety has a yellow-cream border. The Hedera Erecta (erect ivy) variety looks very unusual. Its stems, unlike other species, are not drooping, but erect, with small green leaves, often located on the trunks. On their own, without support, they grow vertically and rise to a height of about a meter. To achieve the greatest decorative effect, several plants are planted in one pot. For reproduction, the tip is cut off and rooted. After that, lateral shoots grow in the upper part of the trunk on the mother plant. Interestingly, the new branches lose their ability to grow vertically upwards, they begin to bend and hang down like the jets of a small fountain.
Ivy is ideal for growing in urban apartments. All he needs is regular watering and spraying with water twice a week. Sometimes the plant is washed in the shower to wash off the dust from the leaves. The vine grows actively almost all year round, so it quickly consumes nutrients from the soil. The plant is fed twice a month. The fertilizer dose is halved from the recommended amount on the package. In spring, the flower is transplanted into new soil or the topsoil is replaced. Ivy is one of the most shade—tolerant plants, suitable for decorating walls, bookshelves and shelving. Variegated forms feel better in the light. In the shade, the light highlights on the leaves become less pronounced. In winter, the vine continues to grow in a warm room. If there is not enough light, the stems stretch out and lose their decorative effect. To prevent this from happening, the plant is placed closer to the window in late autumn and winter. Ivy propagation is not particularly difficult. In spring, cuttings 5-10 cm long are cut off at the top of the shoots and rooted in water or moist soil. 3-4 shoots are planted in a pot with a diameter of 10 cm at once to get a lush bush. When the shoots reach 20 cm, they can be directed to the support. The curly shape is maintained by pruning. Long elongated stems are cut off to cause branching and achieve splendor. Insufficient and irregular watering leads to leaf fall. The bare ivy shoots are cut off, watering is increased. Dark spots on the leaves are a consequence of excessive watering. Dry the earthen lump. If the plant has been in waterlogged soil for a long time, it needs to be transplanted. Remove all rotted roots. Add sand to the soil when transplanting, and a drainage of expanded clay or broken pottery shards to the bottom. With a lack of irrigation and nutrients, a weakened plant can become an object for insect pests. An insecticide (Actelic or Phytoverm) is used against green aphids, thrips and red spider, and the plant is sprayed with water twice a week. The shield and worm are removed with cotton wool soaked in pure alcohol. If you are attentive to your plant, then ivy will not cause trouble, will delight with its lush growth and will perfectly complement the interior of your apartment. spinight
Ivy is ideal for growing in urban apartments. All he needs is regular watering and spraying with water twice a week. Sometimes the plant is washed in the shower to wash off the dust from the leaves. The vine grows actively almost all year round, so it quickly consumes nutrients from the soil. The plant is fed twice a month. The fertilizer dose is halved from the recommended amount on the package. In spring, the flower is transplanted into new soil or the topsoil is replaced. Ivy is one of the most shade—tolerant plants, suitable for decorating walls, bookshelves and shelving. Variegated forms feel better in the light. In the shade, the light highlights on the leaves become less pronounced. In winter, the vine continues to grow in a warm room. If there is not enough light, the stems stretch out and lose their decorative effect. To prevent this from happening, the plant is placed closer to the window in late autumn and winter. Ivy propagation is not particularly difficult. In spring, cuttings 5-10 cm long are cut off at the top of the shoots and rooted in water or moist soil. 3-4 shoots are planted in a pot with a diameter of 10 cm at once to get a lush bush. When the shoots reach 20 cm, they can be directed to the support. The curly shape is maintained by pruning. Long elongated stems are cut off to cause branching and achieve splendor. Insufficient and irregular watering leads to leaf fall. The bare ivy shoots are cut off, watering is increased. Dark spots on the leaves are a consequence of excessive watering. Dry the earthen lump. If the plant has been in waterlogged soil for a long time, it needs to be transplanted. Remove all rotted roots. Add sand to the soil when transplanting, and a drainage of expanded clay or broken pottery shards to the bottom. With a lack of irrigation and nutrients, a weakened plant can become an object for insect pests. An insecticide (Actelic or Phytoverm) is used against green aphids, thrips and red spider, and the plant is sprayed with water twice a week. The shield and worm are removed with cotton wool soaked in pure alcohol. If you are attentive to your plant, then ivy will not cause trouble, will delight with its lush growth and will perfectly complement the interior of your apartment. spinight
