Common ivy is a climbing plant that is found in almost every garden and orchard. Many medieval castles and houses are entwined with this unpretentious plant. He can change the landscape beyond recognition. Thickets of evergreen ivy give a very mysterious appearance to fences, trees, as well as grottoes. In its physical and organoleptic properties, it very much resembles cyclamen (ivy flower).
What is this plant
In world history, many legends and myths are associated with this plant. The legend of Deonis says that he was protected as a baby by the suddenly appearing ivy thickets from inevitable death. The proof of this is that he, being the god of winemaking, adorned himself with leaves and shoots of this beautiful plant.
What does it look like
Wax ivy (hoya) is found in nature. It is very similar to a vine, and the name "wax" is associated with a special shine of leaves. Coniferous hoya is very common among amateur gardeners, as well as in the wild with a temperate climate.
For your information! In Egyptian, Christian, and Semitic cultures, ivy attached to a pedestal signified devotion and immortality.
So, having become acquainted with ivy, you can move on to methods of its reproduction.
How ivy breeds
There are two ways to propagate ivy, or heder, as it is also called:
Cuttings
This type of reproduction is quite practical, because it, according to nerds, guarantees almost 100% result.
To do this, you need to do several procedures:
- Cut the cuttings, plant in a prepared pot of earth. Particular attention must be paid to the quality of the land. It should be crumbly, without impurities of debris and stones.
- Next, you need to prepare the soil in a separate container. She will be needed later. It must be cleaned of debris, sewage, and also made loose and not dry. According to the advice of many summer residents, the best soil for ivy is deciduous land with sand.
Note! The first condition for transplanting is the presence of roots on the cuttings. This will allow the plant to quickly get used to the new soil.
After all of the above done, the cuttings should take root. Proper care and timely watering of the soil is also very important. Propagation of ivy by cuttings is common both among experienced gardeners and novice lovers.
Header propagation by cuttings
By shoots, or how to grow ivy from a shoot
This type of reproduction requires a little more effort. There is a possibility that this method of transplantation will not succeed, as this will require a little experience and dexterity. How to do it right:
- For a transplant, you need an escape with about 10 leaves on its trunk.
- It is necessary to gently press the shoot into the prepared sand so that only leaves are visible on the surface, and the shoot itself goes underground.
- After 10 days, the roots should go from the buds from the leaves that are underground.
- Dig a shoot from the ground and cut it so that each of the cuttings has a leaf and a spine.
- Further, planting occurs in the same way as with cuttings.
Clear shoots on the stem
Layering
The third method is as practical and convenient as the first. It is called reproduction by layering. To do this, proceed as follows:
- Choose the longest shoots.
- On each, make about three incisions. Then attach to the ground with special botanical clothespins (such a process is called rooting).
- During the day, roots should appear in the incisions. After this, the cuttings should be carefully separated from each other and boldly transplanted in different places.
How to root layering
How to propagate indoor ivy
Ivy is an outdoor plant resistant to weather conditions. He has a large number of brothers. One of them is indoor ivy. The plant in all respects and dimensions is identical to ordinary ivy. A branchy stem with numerous leaves will decorate the window sill of the window and will easily turn a balcony into a jungle.
Indoor ivy: can I keep it at home?
A moot point. It is very important to devote a lot of time to watering, transplanting, and also pruning the leaves. Then you can safely plant it in pots and arrange it on the windowsills. The methods of reproduction are the same as for the street view.
In botanical stores there are a large number of ivy varieties. The simple forms that this elegant plant takes can be used to decorate walls, fences, as well as roofs and trees.
Note! The most common are: Baltic, graceful, winter, miniature, etc.
Also among species there are differences in physical properties. That is, this or that ivy variety loves coolness more and vice versa. Some grow better in the cool season, others in the warm. In addition, a certain type has a certain leaf shape: round, pointed, and also oval.
The plant is transplanted in several cases:
- if roots sticking out of the pot become noticeable;
- if growth and development has stopped.
In addition, you can, without paying attention to all these factors, annually transplant young shoots. In perennial processes, it is enough just to change the top layer of the earth in the pot to freshly prepared.
Note! The approximate composition should be as follows: leaf, peat, sod land types along with sand in equal proportions.
The most preferred time to plant a flower is spring, namely March-April. This is very important, since properly planting ivy in a pot is not at all easy. The container should be about a couple of centimeters larger than the previously used one. Then you need to pour a plentiful amount of water on the basal ground to form a lump. Next, gently grab the stem and drag it into a new pot. Sprinkle with new earth, leaving a little space at the edges for water drainage. The last step will be watering the plant, as well as spraying its leaves and stem.
Important! It is best to keep a recently transplanted flower away from drafts, and also to hide from direct sunlight.
Great luck for the gardener to keep ivy on his garden plot. Just like geranium, this plant does not require any special care.
Ivy easily adapts to spring and autumn weather. Withstands from 7 ° C to 14 ° C. In summer it requires more watering than in spring or autumn. In hot weather, ivy bushes should be sprayed more often. For the lifespan of the shoots and cuttings, you should constantly pinch the ends of the stems to the ground. This will ensure the growth of new processes.
Note! Spider mites, as well as scale insects, are direct enemies of ivy.
Ivy after transplanting into a pot
Mulching and soil care
In case of special need for ivy cultivation, fertilizers are used: both organic and mineral. To maintain ivy in a healthy state, as well as the ground beneath it, mulching is used. To do this, they add it to it, and then cover it with compost, as well as humus from leaves and sawdust.
Proper watering
Proper watering and timely irrigation of the earth are very important for any plant, including ivy. This is especially necessary in hot as well as dry seasons. There are several types of watering:
- rain (natural), but not regular in the summer;
- superficial (normal with a hose);
- drip (spraying with a spray).
Note! All types of irrigation directly depend on natural features, as well as the available equipment for irrigation.
Pruning
A procedure that positively affects the growth and development of a plant. Ivy pruning should be done in summer and fall. The procedure is performed with conventional clippers. All dried leaves are cut off, as well as surpluses sticking out in different directions and having a not very pleasant appearance.
Trimming ivy is done not only for the sake of appearance, but also for updating the stems. Thus, the plant is saturated with oxygen, which contributes to further successful growth. After proper ivy pruning, the garden will look very neat and tidy. Planting and propagating street ivy is a pleasure!
Correct leaf pruning
Although ivy is common in nature, not everyone can properly care for it. The owner of this amazing plant, it is worth carefully monitoring the watering, excess shoots and soil, and then the plants will thank them with their beautiful branching appearance.
