How to care for newly purchased ivy
Ivy, as a popular indoor green plant, is loved for its elegant trailing vines. However, newly acquired ivy seedlings often show stress responses due to environmental changes, and mastering scientific care methods is essential to keep the vines in a lush green state. This article will explain five key stages of care techniques, from environmental adaptation to daily management.
One, Initial Inspection and Preprocessing
1.1 Plant Health Diagnosis
Immediately after opening, check if the roots are black and rotting, and gently squeeze the main stem to determine the degree of lignification. It is recommended to use a magnifying glass to observe the back of the leaves, as 75% of the eggs are hidden there.
1.2 Root Repair Techniques
If more than 1/3 of the fibrous roots are rotting, use a disinfected scissor to cut obliquely at a 45-degree angle, then soak in a carbendazim solution for 20 minutes and air-dry the roots for 2 hours before potting.
Two, Environmental Transition Management
2.1 Progressive Lighting Adaptation
Keep it in a completely shaded place for the first 3 days, then gradually increase the scattered light from the 4th to the 7th day, using a lux meter to control the light intensity between 3000-5000 lux.
2.2 Accurate Temperature and Humidity Control
Keep the day-night temperature difference below 5°C, monitor with a thermometer and hygrometer, and use a humidifier to keep the air humidity stable at 60-70%.
Three, Scientific Pruning System
3.1 Yellow Leaf Treatment Principle
Remove yellow leaves immediately, but leave a 1cm petiole to prevent damage to the stem. Also check adjacent leaves to prevent the spread of diseases.
3.2 Timing for Shaping Pruning
Wait until new buds have grown 3cm before shaping, use the "remove weak, keep strong" principle, and do not exceed 30% of the total leaf volume each time.
Four, Intelligent Care Solutions
4.1 Dynamic Watering Adjustment
Use the "fingertip detection method": water when the second joint of the index finger inserted into the soil is dry. In winter, use the immersion pot method, with the water level controlled at 1/3 the height of the pot.
4.2 Nutrition Supplement Strategy
Apply a liquid fertilizer with N-P-K=10-15-10 after the seedling stabilization period, twice a month, combined with chelated iron foliar fertilizer to prevent chlorosis.
Through 30 days of systematic care, the survival rate of newly purchased ivy can reach 95% or more. The key is to grasp the meticulous management during the environmental transition period, combined with scientific pruning and watering plans. Regularly rotate the pot to ensure even lighting, and add perlite when changing pots in spring to improve aeration, which can make the vines grow more than 1.5 meters per year.