Cultivation and care in a nutshell
Common ivy is propagated by cuttings taken from the shoot. We start this treatment from late spring, but it is best to do it at the turn of summer and fall. The cuttings take about 3-4 weeks to take root.In winter, they should be protected from severe frost and stored until spring in an inspection or in a cool (0-10 ° C) garage.
The substrate humidity should be the same constantly, but do not overdo it with watering so that the seedlings do not rot. In spring, when ground frosts have subsided, seedlings can be planted into the ground. The substrate should be plump, fertile and humus, and the position should be semi-shaded or shaded.For reinforcement, in summer, they can be supplemented with compound fertilizer.
Indoor varieties with variegated leaves should stay in the temperature of about 10-15ºC in winter, and green-leaved varieties 5-10ºC. If it is impossible to lower the temperature, the plants should be exposed in well-lit places (but not in the sun), otherwise they will bloom.Besides, they should be sprinkled every few days. Water the ivy seedlings in moderation.
Propagation of ivy from shoot cuttings
The top fragments of the ivy are taken and cut into about 10 cm long sections with one or two knots.Remember not to put those coming from the middle part of the shoot into rooting "upside down".We remove the lower leaves from each section. Each of the varieties is described on the label.
The end of the shoot is immersed in the rooting agent - a preparation that facilitates rooting cuttings. Usually it is in the form of a powder or powder and is intended for green, semi-woody or woody cuttings.In the case of cuttings taken in late summer, it is a rooting for semi-woody cuttings.
The seedlings prepared in this way are placed in a special substrate for seedlings - in the photo it is perlite (a mineral of volcanic origin, chemically neutral) - to a depth of about 3 cm. Before inserting the seedlings into the substrate, make holes in it, preferably with a thin stick. Press the substrate around the seedling.Seedlings can be placed in individual pots or several in a litter box.We stick labels with the names of the varieties next to each variety.
Water the finished seedlings abundantly and place them on a bright window sill or in an inspection frame.To reduce evaporation, it is good to cover the young plants with foil, but then you should remember about airing.When the substrate dries, ivy can be watered again. The cuttings take about 2 weeks to take root. Then we transplant them into pots with soil or plant them permanently in the ground.
Pot varieties
Not all varieties of ivy grow in the ground Some of them can only live in containers, spending the winter in rooms with a temperature of 7-18 ° C (varieties with colorful leaves require a lighter position).They are an attractive decoration of apartments, offices, and in summer balconies and terraces.
Recommended varieties (except those already mentioned): 'Ravenholst', 'Luzii', 'Montgomery' 'Ovata', 'Midas Touch', 'Pico', 'Rona' 'Gloire de Marengo' 'Striata', 'Variegated'.
Ideal varieties for soil and containers
Only common ivy, the species most popular among ivy, has several hundred varieties that differ in shape, growth strength, color and shape of the leaves.And there are also Irish, Japanese and Colchid ivy, Shepherdess …
Here is a selection of the trendiest varieties:
1 'Adam' - small triangular leaves with a green center and a white border.Undemanding variety, recommended for containers.
2 'Aureovariegata' has dark green leaves with cream spots, just right for the ground.
3 'Caecilia' - leaves with a light green center, cream on the edges (sometimes completely creamy). In our conditions it freezes over, the variety is suitable for cultivation in containers.
4 'Edelweiss' has characteristic red (young) shoots.Marbled, yellow-green, triangular leaves, shallowly cut.Variety recommended for growing in containers.
5 'Eugen Hahn' - thin, heart-shaped leaves, green in color, beige-spotted. The variety has been proven to be cultivated in containers.
6 'Filigran' has characteristic corrugated leaves, a variety recommended for growing in containers (in boxes, hanging baskets).
7 'Green Ripple' is a variety with elongated, glossy leaves, dark green with light veins.In low temperatures, it can freeze in winter, so it is good to cover it.Perfect for planting near walls and walls.
8 'Parsley Crested' has green, medium-sized leaves with notched edges. The variety is recommended for planting walls, pergolas, trees and fences. A good ground cover plant. Also suitable for growing in containers and hanging baskets.
9 'Goldstern' - yellow-green leaves with a dark green center. The leaves are star-shaped.A variety suitable for growing in containers, on the terrace and in the apartment (in boxes, hanging baskets, pots).
10 'Shamrock' has small, dark green clover-shaped leaves, a variety for cultivation in the ground (as a climber and groundcover). Also recommended for growing in containers.
