Is ivy suitable for indoor cultivation?
Are you curious about whether ivy is suitable for indoor cultivation and the precautions for growing ivy? Let's take a look together.
Ivy is very suitable for indoor cultivation. It fears excessive exposure to sunlight or direct sunlight and prefers a cool environment. It can also purify the air indoors very well, making it ideal to have several pots at home, especially as hanging plants on the windowsill.
1. Choosing a Pot
When planting ivy, do not choose a too deep container because its root system is relatively shallow. The bottom of the pot should have many drainage holes, and the depth of the pot should be about 15~20 centimeters.
Plastic and ceramic pots can be considered. If you like watering, you can use a ceramic pot because it has excellent drainage and breathability.
2. Cultivation Location
Ivy does not like direct sunlight and can be placed in a location with plenty of scattered light every day. Standing near a windowsill with curtains is a good choice. Of course, do not let the ivy's leaves touch the glass directly, as it can easily cause leaf burn.
In winter, the sunlight is softer, and the temperature is lower, so you can provide more light. The temperature for cultivating ivy should be kept above 5 degrees to avoid frostbite, with the optimal growth temperature between 18~25 degrees.
Ivy grown indoors should not be excessively shaded. If you notice that the leaves of the ivy start to grow very tender and look fragile, it's time to increase the light. If you find that the leaves start to wither, move it to a slightly shaded place to avoid too much light.
Do not cultivate ivy near air conditioners or heaters, and the environment should be kept properly ventilated.
3. Watering and Fertilizing
When cultivating ivy, choose suitable soil with good drainage. You can use peat soil or compost soil mixed with some perlite and river sand. The soil should not contain too much yellow earth, as it can easily cause waterlogging and root rot. Perlite or river sand should make up about 2 to 3 parts.
Ivy grown indoors does not need to be watered frequently. Generally, wait for the soil to be completely dry before watering thoroughly. You can insert your finger or a bamboo skewer into the soil to check the moisture level. If the soil below the surface is still moist, do not rush to water. Wait until the soil 3 to 5 centimeters below the surface is dry before watering. Generally, water once a week and avoid overwatering.
In dry weather, it is necessary to frequently spray the leaves with water to maintain a certain level of humidity. Generally, spray 1 to 2 times a week. This can maintain a certain level of humidity, clean the leaves, and promote better photosynthesis and air purification.
In the spring and summer growing seasons, you can supplement with organic liquid fertilizer once a month. Do not make the concentration too high; it should be a fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content, usually about 5 milliliters diluted in 4 liters of water. The concentration should be low. In the fall and winter seasons, when the temperature drops, stop fertilizing, as it can easily cause leaf and root stem burn.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Ivy grown indoors, if the environment is dry and poorly ventilated, can develop yellow and red spots on the leaves, which are caused by red spiders. The leaves will gradually turn yellow, and severe cases will show a network-like pattern. In this case, you can wipe the leaves with dishwashing liquid diluted in water. Of course, you can also directly spray common miticides.
If you want to prevent red spider infestation, it is best to regularly spray the leaves with water when the air is dry and maintain proper ventilation. If you notice the leaves starting to wither, it is also caused by low humidity.
If you find withered or diseased leaves, they should be promptly cut off, and yellow leaves should also be cut off, not left in the potting soil.
5. Propagating Ivy
If you want to propagate ivy, it is even simpler. Ivy is a climbing plant, and as long as you master the above techniques while standing by the windowsill, it is easier to grow than pothos. When the branches grow to 12 centimeters or more, you can cut several segments, each about 5 to 7 centimeters long. After cutting the branches, remove the bottom leaves and leave two or three young leaves at the top.
The branches can be propagated by inserting them in water or soil. During propagation, maintain the soil moisture, a certain level of humidity, and a higher temperature, with 20 degrees being the most suitable. If inserted in water, place them in a well-lit and ventilated environment and change the water every two to three days.
This article shares all the information about whether ivy is suitable for indoor cultivation and the precautions for growing ivy. I hope it can be helpful to you. Don't forget to visit the Green Plant Enthusiast website for more experience and knowledge!