How to Grow English Ivy? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Cultivation Methods
English ivy has different meanings in different regions, but they are all fairly positive symbols. English ivy is grown in many places, one reason being its beauty, and another being that it can not only purify the air and beautify the environment, but for English ivy growers it is also a money-making tool. English ivy is currently favored by many parks, tourist attractions and the like, and more and more people are now buying English ivy for their homes. Below, let us learn how farmers grow English ivy.
1. Soil Selection
English ivy is a shade-loving plant that prefers moisture, so the planting site should be chosen in an area with a relatively abundant water source and relatively high soil moisture. Next, the light at the planting site must not be too strong; if conditions allow, large-scale cultivation can also be carried out indoors. The soil at the planting site must be quite fertile, so that English ivy will grow better. Therefore, after choosing the planting site, spread sufficient organic fertilizer; if conditions permit, it is best to use farmyard manure as the base fertilizer. Finally, plow the soil deeply and turn the fertilizer into the deeper soil layers, which can increase soil fertility and also help retain fertilizer.
2. Growing Conditions
In fact, English ivy has a strong ability to adapt to the environment, but in order to improve the economic benefits of cultivation, growers do manage its growing conditions to a certain extent. First, the air circulation near the planting site should be relatively strong. Second, the average growing temperature should be between 20 and 25 degrees. Third, although it prefers shade, it still needs a certain amount of light; if it is planted in the open field, a shade shed needs to be built.
3. Scientific Planting
The most common methods of propagating English ivy are cuttings propagation and layering propagation. Generally, growers with several years of planting experience basically use these two methods for propagation, while some growers will choose seed propagation or division propagation when necessary. Because English ivy has fairly vigorous vitality, it can basically be propagated in all four seasons. When propagating, the soil at the planting site must be very fine and very loose, so the success rate of propagation will be much higher.
4. Fertilization Methods
The growth of English ivy requires a large amount of nutrients. Later topdressing is mainly based on nitrogen fertilizer to promote the growth of English ivy branches, but the amount of nitrogen fertilizer must not be too much, otherwise it will affect its appearance and instead reduce its economic value. If a large number of markings appear on the leaves of English ivy, it is generally because too little potassium fertilizer was applied or no potassium fertilizer was applied, so fertilizer needs to be supplemented in time, and generally it will gradually fade in about half a month. If the leaves of English ivy turn yellow, then an appropriate amount of foliar fertilizer needs to be sprayed, and an appropriate amount of urea should be added at the same time. Spring is the period of the most vigorous growth for English ivy, when it needs the most nutrients, so it generally needs to be fertilized once about every half a month.
5. Watering Methods
English ivy is a plant that is extremely intolerant of drought. Throughout its growing period it needs a large amount of water, and the soil moisture should generally be kept above 70 percent, except of course when it is relatively cold in winter. When planting, we first need to water the soil at the planting site thoroughly, and then carry out planting. Because the workload of planting English ivy on a large scale is relatively heavy, each watering is generally done by sprinkler irrigation, which not only saves time but also saves water resources.
6. Precautions
English ivy is actually very easy to keep alive. In hot weather, pay attention to cooling it down, generally by watering once in the morning and once in the evening. Next, the temperature at the planting site must not be lower than 5 degrees, otherwise it will freeze to death, so in winter greenhouse technology needs to be used for insulation. Next, although it prefers moisture, that does not mean it should be watered every day; water only after the soil has dried. Also, although it prefers fertile soil, it is generally not fertilized in summer and winter. Finally, although it likes nitrogen fertilizer, nitrogen fertilizer should not be applied exclusively, otherwise it will affect its plant shape.