Green Ivy Characteristics and Propagation
This article provides an explanation on the aspects of growing green ivy at home, including its characteristics and propagation methods, as follows:
Green ivy, also known as golden pothos, devil's vine, and golden vine, belongs to the Araceae family, Thaumatophyllum genus, and is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant. The stems of green ivy are thick and can grow several meters long, with aerial roots at the nodes. Young leaves are ovate and heart-shaped, and the leaves of newly propagated seedlings are smaller and lighter in color. As the plant ages, mature leaves become elongated ovate, about 15 cm long and 10 cm wide. The dark green leaf surface is adorned with irregular yellowish-white spots or streaks. The size of the leaves may vary due to different fertilization and watering conditions.
Green ivy has lush branches and leaves, thrives in shade, and remains evergreen and glossy throughout the year. In winter, when outdoor plants wither and fall, green ivy indoors stays lush and green, making it an excellent indoor foliage plant. Due to the rapid growth of green ivy stems, it is often cultivated in a pillar style, where a支柱 is placed in the center of the pot, wrapped with some coconut fibers, with a diameter of 10 to 12 cm. Then, 3 to 4 seedlings are planted in the pot to climb around the支柱. Some also plant green ivy in pots and place them on shelves, allowing the stems to hang down like a green curtain, creating a unique and interesting effect.
Green ivy is native to the Indonesian archipelago and often climbs on rocks and tree trunks in tropical regions. It prefers a warm, humid, and semi-shaded environment and is not tolerant of cold. The suitable temperature for growth is between 15°C and 25°C. Below 15°C, growth slows down, and the winter temperature should not be lower than 10°C. It is sensitive to temperature changes and dislikes direct sunlight in the summer, as strong light can cause leaf browning and shedding. Therefore, shading is necessary in outdoor areas during summer. In winter, green ivy can grow well under bright diffused light indoors, with sturdy stem nodes and vibrant leaf color. It requires a significant amount of water during the growing period, in addition to regular watering of the potting soil, and frequent misting of the leaves. For pillar-style cultivation, more water should be sprayed on the coconut fiber支柱 to ensure the aerial roots absorb enough water. Fertilizing with a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer every 2 weeks or spraying a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution weekly can make the leaves greener and the patterns more vivid.
Green ivy is generally propagated by cuttage, as it easily takes root due to the aerial roots at the nodes. The cutting period is from April to August. A section of the stem, 15 to 20 cm long, is used as a cutting, with the lower leaves removed and only 1 to 2 top leaves left. The cutting is then inserted diagonally into a sand bed, watered thoroughly, kept moist, and frequently misted on the leaf surface. Roots can form in about ten days. Green ivy can also be propagated by water cutting the top buds, where a section of the young and strong stem, 20 to 30 cm long, is directly placed in a bottle of clean water, changing the water every 2 to 3 days, and roots can form in more than ten days.
Due to the limitation of potting soil, potted green ivy can easily age with prolonged cultivation, leading to smaller leaves and leaf drop. Therefore, repotting or pruning for renewal should be done every 2 to 3 years.
Have you understood the detailed introduction of green ivy characteristics and propagation methods provided above?