Evergreen ivy (Hedera) is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful ornamental plants. It can be grown both in the garden and indoors. The plant is quite unpretentious. However, of course, you need to follow some rules when growing it.
General Description
The ivy belongs to the family of dovetails. It represents a very beautiful curly vine. Sometimes evergreen ivy is also called hedera. One of the features of this plant is that its lashes are not limited in growth. Indoors, they can reach a length of 6 meters, and in gardens - sometimes 30 meters.
The most common ornamental plant in Russia is evergreen garden ivy (H. helix). The flowers of this basic form are small and collected in racemose inflorescences. The leaves of ordinary ivy are leathery, shiny, five- and three-lobed. In nature, this plant climbs walls or trees with aerial roots.
Ivy leaf, depending on the shape, can have a variety of shades. In gardens and indoors, varieties of thisornamental culture, both dark and light green. Varieties of ivy with variegated leaves are also considered very beautiful.
What forms of plants exist
In addition to the usual, other types of garden ivy are grown at home and in gardens. Especially beautiful forms among lovers of decorative cultures are:
- wax ivy (hoya);
- Canarian.
Both of these varieties are valued by gardeners primarily for their beautiful large leaves. Like ordinary ivy, Canarian and wax ivy grow very quickly. They also do not require too complicated personal care.
Wax ivy description
In gardens, the most common form of this ornamental crop is grown. In room conditions, the most common is hoya (wax ivy). Is it possible to keep this plant at home - many flower growers ask this question. The fact is that this beautiful form of ivy is often called the Mugegon. It is believed that this flower, among other things, is able to bring financial well-being to the family. However, at the same time, as some superstitious people believe, he also kicks men out of the house.
But be that as it may, this plant is actually very beautiful - hoya (wax ivy). Is it possible to keep this form at home - each housewife must, of course, answer this question for herself. In the countries of Asia, wax ivy, unlike Russia, for example, is not considered to be any kind of husband. There, this decorative form is grown everywhere. Moreover, in Asia many peopleIt is believed that wax ivy, on the contrary, brings family happiness.
Canarian ivy
This is also a very beautiful and popular plant among gardeners and lovers of indoor flowers. Liana near Canarian ivy on the street can reach a length of 20 cm. The main distinguishing feature of this form is the unusual color of the leaves. The plate itself is green with a silver tint. At the same time, a white stripe runs along the edge of each leaflet. The size of the three-lobed leaves of Canarian ivy are large and look really very impressive.
How to grow indoors: pot preparation
Ivy is a plant with long lashes, but at the same time not a very well-developed root system. Therefore, it is not necessary to use a very large pot for this decorative culture at room conditions. For ivy, a medium-sized container is quite suitable. In order for the plant to develop well, its pot should be filled with soil mixture of the following composition:
- humus;
- sand;
- leaf land;
- soddy soil.
All these components must be taken in equal amounts and mixed thoroughly. Garden ivy evergreen, like most other indoor plants, does not like stagnant water. Therefore, it is imperative to put broken shards or expanded clay on the bottom of the pot.
Garden ivy: planting and indoor care
The ivy plant is considered shade-resistant. But you still need to place it closer to the window(south or east). At the same time, direct sunlight should not fall on his lashes. Ivy, although it is a southern plant, does not like heat. In summer, the optimum temperature for it is 17-23 C, in winter - 13 C. This plant is not afraid of drafts at all.
The choice of a place for ivy should be approached immediately with maximum responsibility. The fact is that this plant really does not like movement. Subsequently, it will be possible to transfer a pot with this vine only in the most extreme case.
Ivy is a plant that requires regular but moderate watering. There should not be water in the pot with it. However, drying of the soil should not be allowed. The soil in the pot under the ivy should always remain slightly damp. In summer, this plant is usually watered twice a week, in winter - once.
In the warm season, ivy, among other things, it is also desirable to spray. It is worth carrying out such procedures when the air temperature in the room rises above 20 C.
You can fertilize ivy with the usual universal dry mix for indoor plants. Such top dressing should be applied at the frequency indicated by the manufacturer on the package.
Caring for ivy in the garden
Garden ivy is native to Northern Europe. And so the plant is quite hardy. However, the climate in Russia, unfortunately, is still more severe than in Europe. Therefore, it is possible to grow ivy in our country on the street mainly only in the southern regions. Only some varieties of common ivy are suitable for the middle lane. And they are usedin this case, they can mainly only as ground covers.
The place for this plant in the garden is chosen depending on the color of the leaves. For dark green ivy, partial shade is also quite suitable. Forms with variegated leaves need bright lighting. This decorative plant is watered in the garden using approximately the same technology as in room conditions. The ivy leaf of almost any variety is actually very beautiful and represents the main decorative value of this plant. Therefore, it is better to water the vines in the mornings or evenings by sprinkling. Thus, it will be possible not only to moisten the soil under the ivy, but also to wash off the dust from its lashes.
You can feed this ornamental crop with ordinary rotted manure. This plant responds very well to ashes. Ivy of any variety, of course, is primarily an ornamental plant. This liana is hardy and unpretentious. But sometimes it happens that ivy lashes slow down growth, and its leaves turn pale. In this case, the plants should be fed with urea (a matchbox for a bucket of water 10 liters).
Ivy propagation
It is not difficult to breed this ornamental culture on the site or in room conditions. Ivy is propagated most often by cuttings. Cut planting material at the same time in spring or summer. The length of the selected cuttings should be approximately 10 cm. The cut branches should simply be stuck into moistened soil. Ivy cuttings take root very easily and quickly. Keeping them in the water before planting is completely optional. No need to processthem and any means that stimulate root formation.
Grow new long lashes from cuttings very quickly. In a year, lush independent plants can be seen on the site.
If desired, evergreen garden ivy can be propagated not by cuttings, but by shoots. It is also a very simple and fast way. Shoots for propagation of ivy are taken not too long - with 8-10 leaves. Such planting material must be pressed into wet sand. At the same time, only leaves should remain on the surface. After about two weeks, the shoot will take root. During this time, the sand should be kept moist.
The twig that has taken root in the future must be dug out of the ground and cut into several parts so that each of them has a leaf and a root. Further planting is carried out in the usual way - in pre-prepared beds or pots.
