Hedera

Of the 15 species that make up the genus Ivy (Hedera), only 2 evergreen lianas are usually cultivated indoors: common ivy (Hedera helix) and much less often - Canary ivy (H. canariensis). Many varieties and garden forms are obtained from common ivy, which differ primarily in shape (diamond-shaped, star-shaped, paw-shaped, etc.), size and color of leaves, sometimes with a pattern (yellow, golden, silver, gray or cream - white), fringing of the leaf plate, spots on the leaves. Usually ivy is small in size, but in roomy pots they reach a significant size. The most famous are 'Brigitta' with dark green leaves and lighter veins and ' Eva ' with small leaves covered with dark green spots, a grayish-green center and a cream border of the leaf plate. Canary ivy has larger leaves than ordinary ivy, and when grown in a pot, the first type reaches a large size. Among the oldest and most popular varieties, 'Slava Marengo' is common with white areas on large dark green leaves.

Of the 15 species that make up the genus Ivy (Hedera), only 2 evergreen lianas are usually cultivated indoors: common ivy (Hedera helix) and much less often - Canary ivy (H. canariensis).

Many varieties and garden forms are obtained from common ivy, which differ primarily in shape (diamond-shaped, star-shaped, paw-shaped, etc.), size and color of leaves, sometimes with a pattern (yellow, golden, silver, gray or cream - white), fringing of the leaf plate, spots on the leaves. Usually ivy is small in size, but in roomy pots they reach a significant size.

The most famous are 'Brigitta' with dark green leaves and lighter veins and ' Eva ' with small leaves covered with dark green spots, a grayish-green center and a cream border of the leaf plate.

Canary ivy has larger leaves than ordinary ivy, and when grown in a pot, the first type reaches a large size. Among the oldest and most popular varieties, 'Slava Marengo' is common with white areas on large dark green leaves.

Cultivation

Indoor ivy is grown in pots or boxes. Ivy is quite shade-tolerant; it can be placed in a poorly lit place, unsuitable for most other plants. Variegated forms require more -light. However, these same plants can also be grown outdoors. Take out on the street is best in late spring and early summer. In autumn, the plants are removed to the house, you can do this even before the heating is turned on, then the plants will have the opportunity to get used to a drier environment. Since these are climbing vines with lignified stems, the ivy may need supports, unless you are using a tree that has a woody stem. you want to grow them as ampelny plants. In the spring and summer period of the year, liquid fertilizer is periodically added to the water for irrigation.

Location

Common ivy feels great both in partial shade and in the sun. It should be remembered, however, that when it comes to a variegated variety, it is necessary to expose the plant to a well - lit place-to maintain the color of the leaves. Canary ivy generally prefers bright light.

Temperature

Indoor ivies can tolerate a drop in temperature in winter to 5-6 °C. Moreover, in winter, there may be a problem due to the fact that the room is too warm and dry. Therefore, maintain optimally high humidity and cool temperatures or place plants in unheated rooms (preferably 10-15 °C). Suitable summer temperature is 15-18 °C. Common ivy is able to tolerate negative values of thermometer readings, and Canary ivy cannot withstand temperatures below 5 °C.

Watering

Ivy trees are not too demanding in terms of watering. Irrigation is regulated depending on the humidity of the soil. In summer, it is recommended to water no more than 2 times a week, and in winter-only once (always only keeping the soil in a slightly moist state).

Transplant

Young ivy specimens should be transplanted to a new pot every year for the first few years. Later they are limited to replacing the surface layer of the soil.

Care

Frequent spraying allows you to maintain the cleanliness and freshness of the plant, but periodically wash the leaves with a damp cloth and from time to time apply a lustrous solution.

Reproduction

The simplest and easiest method of propagation is cuttings. In spring, apical cuttings 10 cm long are taken and placed for rooting in the ground - a substrate of turf, leaf, humus earth and sand, with a predominance of peat. To maintain an increased level of humidity, cups with cuttings can be covered with plastic bags. The temperature is kept at 15 °C (for Canary ivy - 20 °C). Another method is multiplication by layers. Long whips-shoots are dug in, having previously made incisions on them from the underside, and fixed them in the ground with U-shaped brackets. After the new plants take root, they are separated from the mother plant.

Diseases

In general, ivy is not too susceptible to diseases. Aphids that cause leaf deformity disappear after treatment with appropriate insecticides. Worms settle on the undersides of leaves and stems. They are disposed of with a rag or cotton swab soaked in alcohol, after which they are treated with anti-coccidal drugs. Plants affected by thrips forming silver spots on their leaves are treated with systemic insecticides. Among other pests, ticks can often be found (with low ambient humidity). In this case, it is necessary to maintain a higher level of moisture, sometimes treated with acaricides.

In general, ivy is not too susceptible to diseases. Aphids that cause leaf deformity disappear after treatment with appropriate insecticides. Worms settle on the undersides of leaves and stems. They are disposed of with a rag or cotton swab soaked in alcohol, after which they are treated with anti-coccidal drugs. Plants affected by thrips forming silver spots on their leaves are treated with systemic insecticides.

Among other pests, ticks can often be found (with low ambient humidity). In this case, it is necessary to maintain a higher level of moisture, sometimes treated with acaricides.

Acquisition

Ivy is easily found in flower shops and gardening centers: both separately and in a composition with other tall plants (palm trees, croton, ficus Benjamin, etc.).