How to Plant Ivy Seeds? A Detailed Guide to the Planting Method
First, choose a potting soil mix of leaf mold, garden soil and sand, then add an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer as a base, and wait for new branches to grow before starting care. Ivy likes a warm environment, and the lowest winter temperature must not fall below 5 degrees, so it can be placed indoors in a bright spot to grow. Water and fertilize at the right time according to growth conditions, prune the branches, and prevent pests and diseases promptly.
How to Plant Ivy Seeds
1. Soil: For potted ivy, a potting soil mix of leaf mold, garden soil and sand is usually chosen. Before planting, first place decomposed organic fertilizer at the bottom of the pot as a base fertilizer, cut off excessively long and dense roots, and after planting water once thoroughly, place in a cool spot, and carry out normal care once new branches grow.
2. Temperature: Ivy likes warmth, and the suitable growth temperature is 20-25°C. It fears heat and is not cold-tolerant, so when kept indoors for care, pay attention to ventilation and cooling in summer, and in winter the indoor temperature should preferably stay above 10°C, and must not fall below 5°C.
2. Light: Ivy likes light and is also fairly shade-tolerant, so it is suitable to grow it indoors in a bright spot, but be careful to prevent direct strong light, otherwise it easily causes sunscald.
3. Watering: During the growing season, water ivy by the principle of watering when dry and stopping when wet; do not let the potting soil become overly moist, otherwise it easily causes root rot and leaf drop. In winter, when room temperature is low, especially control watering and just keep the potting soil slightly moist.
4. Fertilizing: During the growing season, apply a dilute cake fertilizer solution once every 2-3 weeks. Do not fertilize in summer and winter. When fertilizing, never apply too much nitrogen fertilizer alone; the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is best at 1:1:1. In the peak growing season, spray the leaves 1-2 times with a 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution.
5. Pruning: For newly planted ivy, after buds break in spring, pinch out the growing tips to encourage branching, and set up a frame to train the shape, or it can also be grown as a hanging potted plant.
6. Pests and diseases: The main diseases of ivy include leaf spot, anthracnose, bacterial leaf rot, leaf spot, root rot, and phytophthora blight, among others. Among pests, leaf roller borers, scale insects and red spider mites are relatively serious, so management and control should be strengthened during cultivation.