How to grow English ivy so its leaves and branches stay tender green and vigorous
The evergreen woody vine—English ivy (Hedera helix), a perennial evergreen climbing shrub of the genus Hedera in the family Araliaceae, an evergreen woody vine.
To grow English ivy with tender growth, the fertile humus soil needs to be replaced once every 1 to 2 years, and during the vigorous spring and autumn growing seasons a top dressing needs to be applied once every 15 to 20 days, while also raising the air humidity and keeping it between 50% and 60%; 5 hours of light exposure per day is needed to promote the growth of English ivy.
Soil selection for growing English ivy
The stems and vines of English ivy are soft and easy to shape by hand, and it can also be grown in pots. Pot it up in ordinary potting soil, repot and change the soil once every 1——2 years, always keep the potting soil moist, and place it in a shaded spot or display it indoors; do not fertilize too much, but strengthen ventilation to prevent scale insects.
Fertilizing methods for growing English ivy
During the spring and autumn growing seasons, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer as a top dressing once every 2——3 weeks; variegated varieties should above all avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, lest the patterns and patches on the leaves fade to green; stop fertilizing in winter.
English ivy likes fertilizer, mainly nitrogen fertilizer. But when there is too much nitrogen fertilizer it tends to grow leggy, which is bad for a neat plant shape. When phosphorus and potassium fertilizer are insufficient, the markings on English ivy leaves tend to fade. Young plants can be given a top dressing every 15 days during the growing season of decomposed 10-times liquid fertilizer mixed with an equal amount of 500-times potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution.
Mature plants are given a mixed liquid fertilizer top dressing once every 30 days. If mature plants are not fertilized routinely, when yellowing of the leaf color is noticed, spray the foliage with 1000-times urea solution 1—2 times. When applying decomposed liquid fertilizer, use a fine-spout watering can and pour slowly along the rim of the pot; do not splash the fertilizer solution onto the leaves, otherwise the leaves are easily scorched.
Watering methods for growing English ivy
English ivy likes moist soil and relatively high air humidity, tolerates wet conditions, and fears drought. After growth resumes in spring, keep the potting soil in a moist state. During the growing season of English ivy, the potting soil should be kept moist. Because indoor air humidity is relatively low, water should often be sprinkled on the leaves and around English ivy to increase air humidity. After temperatures drop in late autumn, gradually reduce the frequency of watering and keep the potting soil on the dry side. When winter temperatures are low, it is best to keep the potting soil on the dry side.
English ivy likes moisture; during the growing season the potting soil should be kept moist, and the foliage should be sprayed with water every day so that air humidity reaches 50%——60%; in winter reduce the frequency of watering, but it must not become too dry either.
Temperature requirements for growing English ivy
The suitable temperature for growth is 18——20°C; when the temperature rises above 35°C it stops growing. The leaves turn yellow. English ivy is fairly cold-hardy and can endure low temperatures of 2——3°C. In winter it should be placed indoors to overwinter. 0——5°C will not harm it, and above 10°C is preferable.
Light requirements for growing English ivy
When caring for English ivy indoors, plenty of light is required; especially for plants kept indoors year-round, they should be placed by a south-facing window as much as possible so they get more sunlight, so that the plant has short internodes, uniform leaf shape and vivid leaf color, but strong direct sunlight is to be avoided. Low winter temperatures easily cause the plant to drop leaves; as long as the stems and vines are not frost-damaged, after a heavy pruning once the following spring turns warm, new buds can sprout again from the lower part of the stems and vines.