What to Do When Devil's Ivy Dies
Watching the devil's ivy, which has been a companion day and night, suddenly turn yellow and wilt, many plant enthusiasts feel at a loss. In fact, as a tough, leaf-viewing plant, devil's ivy can be revived in 80% of cases of wilting if the correct rescue methods are mastered. This article will detail the five core rescue steps from root treatment to post-rescue care.
Core Steps for Rescuing Devil's Ivy
Root Diagnosis and Pruning
When the branches and leaves wilt, the plant should first be removed from the pot to check the root condition. Use a disinfected pair of scissors to cut off the blackened, rotting roots, leaving only the healthy, white rootstocks. If the main root has completely rotted, cut diagonally 2cm away from the base, retaining potential buds. After treatment, soak in a carbendazim solution for 30 minutes to kill any remaining bacteria.
Reconstructing the Plant Structure
After pruning the roots, the above-ground part of the plant needs to be treated simultaneously. Cut the wilted stems and leaves 3cm from the base, leaving 1-2 latent buds. Ensure the cuts are smooth to avoid tearing, and after treatment, spray with mancozeb to prevent wound infection. This step reduces nutrient consumption and stimulates the germination of new buds.
Key Points for Reviving Devil's Ivy
Substrate Renewal Techniques
Choose a breathable terra cotta pot and place a 3cm thick layer of ceramic stones at the bottom as a drainage layer. The soil mixture is recommended to be a blend of peat soil: perlite: decomposed leaf soil in a 4:3:3 ratio, with a small amount of bone meal added to supplement nutrients. When planting, keep the original soil mark level with the new soil surface and gently press the soil to remove air pockets.
Temperature and Humidity Control
Bagging to keep moisture is key to revival: cover the pot with a transparent plastic bag and puncture 5-6 ventilation holes at the top. Place it on a north-facing windowsill, maintaining an ambient temperature of 18-25°C. Spray water mist twice a day, morning and evening, to keep the air humidity around 70%, but avoid积水 inside the bag.
Water and Fertilizer Management Norms
During the slow recovery period, keep the soil slightly moist and use the immersion method to water. Do not fertilize before new leaves appear, and after the new buds have grown 3 true leaves, apply a 1:2000 dilution of a special liquid fertilizer for leaf-viewing plants every two weeks. Note that fertilizing should stop in winter, and the watering interval should be extended to every 10-15 days.
Through systematic rescue measures, about 90% of濒死 devil's ivy can sprout new buds within 20 days. The key is to grasp the golden 48-hour rescue period and deal with the rotting roots promptly. In daily care, avoid waterlogging, direct sunlight, and rotate the pot regularly to ensure even exposure to light, which will help the devil's ivy regain its vibrant greenery.