Flowers in the house: growing ivy in the apartment
The home-grown varieties of Hedera ivy vary in size, shape and color of the leaves. Varieties with variegated leaves, whose edges or center of the leaf blades are of a different color (yellow, cream, white, gray), differ in requirements from green-leaved varieties.
Green ivies do not need good lighting, so they can be placed in darker places.On the other hand, variegated ivy, which need more light, should stand closer to the window, but they must be protected from direct sunlight. Plants of this kind grow well at room temperature.
In winter, green-leaved varieties prefer cool rooms (10-15 ° C), and variegated varieties - moderately warm (15-18 ° C). Too high temperature may cause the leaves to dry out and encourage the development of spider mites. That is why we should not put ivy near radiators or fireplaces.
And how to water them?So that the substrate is constantly moist (not too wet) and only from time to time it should be slightly dried.Apart from watering the substrate, often sprinkle leaves with soft lukewarm water. Remember: ivy like humus and slightly acidic soil.
Decorative garden: we are planning spring planting
Long winter evenings can be spent on planning new or "rebuilding" existing discounts.When selecting species, we should not only consider preferences, but also the requirements of plants and the nature of their growth. If we can designate a small area for the rebate, avoid strongly growing, invasive species.
These, especially on humus and moist soils, include, among others ground elderberry, medical soapwort, parchment, heart-shaped mackerel or lily of the valley, and among the grasses: reed canary seed and Chinese miscanthus.Strongly expanding species can also be found among ferns, e.g. common fern, ostrich plume or sensitive onoclea.
Trees and shrubs in December
- We cover the plants
We cover the young plants of wisteria, magnolia, azaleas, rhododendrons, milinas, wrapping the stems with straw or other material, e.g. fleece or shading net.
- Mounds on roses
We cover the roses with soil, making mounds.
- We protect against freezing
Cover the bases of the plants with bark or sawdust. Thanks to this treatment, we will protect them from freezing.
- We water regularly
We regularly water the trees, shrubs, creepers and shrubs growing in containers.
Orchard: nice trees
Certain species and varieties of fruit trees have the natural property of forming appropriately branched crowns.However, many trees require additional treatments to obtain a symmetrical and even crown.When there are too many shoots during formation, we usually remove the excess.
Stems competing with the guide or growing in the wrong direction are torn out or cut with pruning shears. The problem arises when there are too few twigs.An effective solution stimulating the creation of new branches is cutting the shoots over the selected buds.This procedure is easy and we can perform it practically on any tree.
It is especially useful for species such as cherries and certain apple varieties (e.g.'Rubin', 'Gloster'), which branch out poorly. It consists in making a transverse incision directly above the leaf bud.The incision should be made to about 1/3 of the thickness of the shoot.We will need a sharp knife or a saw with small teeth.
In the place where we have made the cut, the conductive beams are interrupted.As a result, the flow of nutrients, carbohydrates and plant hormones between the branches and the roots is disturbed.Thanks to this, the bud we cut over is strongly stimulated to grow.
In the same year, a he althy, strong twig springs out of the eye.It is a very valuable property, because we can accurately determine the place where new growths should appear.Cutting the shoots is especially recommended on young plants and in the first years after planting, because it makes it even completely unbranched trees will become covered with many twigs.
Vegetable in December
- We check vegetables regularly
We check the stored vegetables regularly. We remove those with symptoms immediately.
- We protect herbs against frost
Perennial herbs must be protected against frost. We can use straw covers as well as agrotextiles for this purpose.
- We collect valuable lamb's lettuce
Lamb's lettuce (also called vegetable) is a perfect supplement to your winter diet.This vegetable is rich in vitamins and iron.Lamb's lettuce covered with fleece can be harvested successively, just like leaf parsley.
