Facility Cultivation Management Techniques and Pest and Disease Control for Ivy
Some people may ask, what is ivy? Actually, many friends have seen ivy; sometimes outside you will see a plant covering a wall, and that is actually ivy. Today let's talk about ivy cutting propagation techniques and facility cultivation management, pest and disease control for ivy.
1 Ivy Cutting Propagation Techniques
1.1 Preparation of Cutting Site and Facilities
A site should be chosen that is flat, well ventilated, with sufficient light, convenient for drainage and irrigation, and easily accessible. Year-round potted ivy production requires cultivation facilities equipped with cooling and heating equipment to meet ivy's temperature requirements; a spray humidification system to ensure sufficient environmental humidity; a retractable shading system to meet light requirements; an irrigation system, a pesticide application system, a pure water system, etc. Small pots require cultivation benches, and hanging cultivation requires hanging bed frames.
1.2 Preparation of Cutting Substrate
For the ivy cutting substrate, it is advisable to use a high-quality seedling substrate of peat with a particle size of 0~5mm or 0~8mm and a pH value of 5.5. Before use, it should be crushed by machine or manually, then coarse perlite (3~5mm particle size) should be added at a peat:perlite volume ratio of 3:1, mixed evenly, and then water should be added and stirred so that the final moisture content of the substrate is controlled at 60%~70%.
1.3 Preparation of Cutting Containers
The cutting containers should be chosen according to the cultivation goal. For small pots, it is advisable to choose 90mm-diameter two-color pots and 15-hole trays to hold the two-color pots; for hanging cultivation, it is advisable to choose 180mm, 230mm or 360mm-diameter plastic hanging spider plant pots; for open-field cultivation and seedling raising, 72-hole plug trays or black plastic nutrient pots may be used. Newly purchased containers need no treatment; used cutting containers need to be treated with 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 800 times solution or 75% carbendazim wettable powder at 800 times solution or 0.5% potassium permanganate solution before use.
1.4 Preparation of Cuttings
Cuttings should be cut from vigorous, pest-free and disease-free plants, using current-year young shoots. Cuttings should preferably retain 2 nodes, with the leaf on the lower node removed; for certain varieties with shorter internodes, the cutting length must be ensured to be 2~2.5cm; both the upper and lower cut ends of the cutting should be cut flat; the cut should be 0.3~0.5cm above the upper node.
1.5 Determination of Cutting Time
The production cycle for ivy plug tray or nutrient pot seedling raising is 45~60 days, the production cycle for small pots is 90~120 days, the production cycle for 180mm and 230mm-diameter hanging cultivation is 180~240 days, and the production cycle for 360mm-diameter hanging cultivation is 300~360 days. For commercial seedling raising and cultivation, the cultivation method should be chosen according to facility conditions, and the cutting date should be arranged according to the market launch time.
1.6 Cutting Method
1.6.1 Preparation: Fill the treated substrate into the cutting containers, tap lightly, do not press, and set aside.
1.6.2 Density: For 90mm-diameter pots, insert 13~15 cuttings per pot; for 180mm-diameter pots, insert 30~40 cuttings per pot; for 230mm-diameter pots, insert 50~60 cuttings per pot; for 360mm-diameter pots, insert 80~90 cuttings per pot.
1.6.3 Method: Use cuttings immediately after cutting; insert the prepared cuttings evenly into the substrate up to the base of the upper leaf of the cutting. Arrange the filled containers on the cultivation bed frames.
1.7 Management During the Cutting Propagation Period
Control light at 3000~4000Lux, temperature at 23~25°C, and humidity maintained above 75%. The spray system should be turned on at appropriate times according to environmental changes in the site to regulate the humidity in the site; ensure good ventilation in the greenhouse. Under the above environmental conditions, carry out the first watering about 1 week after cutting. For the first watering, 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder or 75% carbendazim wettable powder at 800 times solution may be added to the water, along with 500 times Ai Gen suspension, to avoid the occurrence of rot disease and at the same time promote rooting. The watering amount should be controlled to moisten 2/3 of the cultivation substrate, and heavy flooding is to be avoided. About 2 weeks after cutting, a second watering should be carried out, and 500 times Ai Gen solution may be added; this time the watering amount should be controlled to moisten the entire pot (cell) substrate, and heavy flooding is to be avoided.
Fertilizer supplementation during the cutting propagation period is mainly by foliar spraying, with a 3-day cycle. In the early stage, use monopotassium phosphate at 1000 times solution for spraying; in the later stage, switch to a balanced fertilizer at 1000 times solution.
Through the above management, callus tissue begins to form in about 7 days, rooting can occur in 15~20 days, and new buds sprout at the leaf axils in about 30 days; for plug tray or nutrient pot seedling raising, the root system is well developed in 45~60 days and transplanting can be carried out.
2 Facility Cultivation Management for Ivy
2.1 Small Pot Management
2.1.1 Water Management
Small pots enter normal seedling-stage management 1 month after cutting. Because the cultivation container is small and the substrate is little, the watering cycle is relatively short; it is advisable to water once every 3~4 days, adjusting the watering cycle appropriately according to the dryness and wetness of the substrate, keeping the substrate moist, and avoiding heavy flooding. To prevent the substrate from being washed out of the container, use a 400-mesh rain sprinkler for irrigation.
2.1.2 Fertilizer Management. After entering the seedling stage, fertilizer should be supplemented in a timely manner, and the principle of fertilization is light fertilizer applied frequently. For fertilizer, it is advisable to choose N:P2O5:K2O=20:20:20 compound water-soluble fertilizer; the initial concentration used is 2000~3000 times solution, and as the seedling age increases, it can be increased to 1000 times solution. Fertilization can be carried out together with watering; for small pot production, it is advisable to alternate 1 watering and 1 fertilizing, with fertilizer and water applied alternately.
2.1.3 Light Management. As the seedling age increases, ivy's demand for light increases, and light should be appropriately increased, controlled at 8000~10000Lux, and should not exceed 15000Lux.
2.1.4 Temperature Management. The suitable growth temperature for ivy is 20~28°C; for year-round production, the low temperature should be controlled not below 15°C, and the high temperature not above 35°C.
2.1.5 Ventilation Management. Ivy prefers a well-ventilated cultivation environment. Under conditions of overly wet substrate, high temperature, high air humidity and poor ventilation, phytophthora blight is prone to occur, causing stem rot or root rot, which cannot be saved once it occurs. Therefore, ventilation within the facility should be strengthened, especially in summer.
2.2 Hanging Cultivation Management
2.2.1 Water Management
For hanging cultivation, the watering cycle should be controlled at 6~8 days, adjusted appropriately according to substrate dryness and wetness and the cultivation environment. In the early stage, use a rain sprinkler for watering; once the root system grows vigorously and the plants completely cover the cultivation container, ordinary watering equipment may be used.
2.2.2 Fertilizer Management
Fertilization still follows the principle of light fertilizer applied frequently. For fertilizer, it is advisable to choose N:P2O5:K2O=20:20:20 complete compound water-soluble fertilizer; the initial concentration used is 2000~3000 times solution, and as the seedling age increases, it can be increased to 1000 times solution. Hanging cultivation has large containers, high cultivation density, high fertilizer demand and long watering cycles; fertilization should be carried out together with watering, so watering is fertilizing.
2.2.3 Other management is the same as for small pot management.
3 Pest and Disease Control for Ivy
The main diseases of ivy include: phytophthora blight, anthracnose, gray mold, leaf spot [3] and sunscald. The main pests include: red spider mites, white spider mites and thrips, etc. Control should be based on prevention, combining prevention and control; with environmental control as the main approach and chemical control as supplementary.
3.1 Phytophthora Blight
3.1.1 Causes and Main Symptoms. Phytophthora blight is an important disease caused by infection with Phytophthora fungi. It generally occurs easily under high temperature and high humidity, poor ventilation, and especially when substrate moisture is too high. It manifests as rotting and shedding of the lower leaves of the plant, the stem base beginning to show dark green water-soaked symptoms, later turning black-brown and necrotic, root epidermis rotting, and branches and leaves withering.
3.1.2 Control Methods. First, control the temperature and humidity of the cultivation site, create a suitable growth environment, and strengthen ventilation within the site; especially in the high-temperature and high-humidity cultivation season, special attention should be paid to environmental control. For chemical control, spray 25% metalaxyl aqueous solution or 72% propamocarb aqueous solution at 750 times solution, or drench with 72% propamocarb aqueous solution at 800~1000 times solution.
3.2 Anthracnose
3.2.1 Causes and Main Symptoms. Anthracnose is an important disease caused by anthracnose fungi. It generally occurs under high humidity conditions. In the early stage, yellow-brown nearly circular spots form on the leaves; as the disease develops, the spots gradually expand and become dark brown; in the later stage, brown or black fungal sporangia clusters grow on the spots. Severely affected leaves become necrotic and shed.
3.2.2 Control Methods. This disease can be controlled by regulating the air humidity in the cultivation site. For chemical control, 70% thiophanate-methyl ultra-micron wettable powder at 1000~1200 times solution, 80% anthracnose fumei wettable powder at 800 times solution, or 50% benomyl wettable powder at 1500 times solution may be used for spray control.
3.3 Gray Mold
3.3.1 Causes and Main Symptoms. Gray mold is caused by Botrytis cinerea fungi, mainly presenting as large water-soaked brown spots at the leaf margins, gradually expanding, tissue necrosis, and gray mold developing under high humidity. It generally occurs under low temperature and high humidity conditions.
3.3.2 Control Methods. Strictly control the temperature, humidity and ventilation environmental conditions in the cultivation site. For chemical control, 65% zineb wettable powder at 500 times solution may be used; in the early stage of disease, spraying 50% procymidone wettable powder, or 50% duomeiling wettable powder at 1000 times solution, can both effectively control the occurrence of gray mold.
3.4 Leaf Spot
3.4.1 Causes and Main Symptoms. Leaf spot is caused by infection with Pseudomonas bacteria, and occurs easily when the cultivation site is warm and humid. In the early stage of disease, small circular brown spots appear on the leaf surface, with oily halos, later enlarging to 4~5mm black spots, sometimes polygonal, and some spots have brown matter at the margins.
3.4.2 Control Methods. Strictly control greenhouse humidity. For chemical control, 72% agricultural streptomycin powder at 4000 times solution may be used for spray control.
3.5 Sunscald
3.5.1 Causes and Main Symptoms. Sunscald is caused by improper light control in the cultivation site; especially when substrate moisture is insufficient and the air is dry, excessive light can cause sunscald. It manifests as wilting of plant leaves due to insufficient water supply, leaves turning gray-white to gray, and when light is too strong, the mesophyll tissue of the leaves directly necroses, with large necrotic white patches appearing on the leaves.
3.5.2 Control Methods. Reasonably regulate light intensity according to plant health conditions and the environmental conditions of the cultivation site.
3.6 Red Spider Mites and White Spider Mites
3.6.1 Occurrence and Damage. Red spider mites and white spider mites mainly occur under environmental conditions of dry air and high temperature in the cultivation site. They mainly live on the underside of leaves, sucking plant sap and destroying mesophyll tissue; the leaf surface shows white spots, and as the damage worsens, the leaves yellow, wither and shed.
3.6.2 Control Methods. Strengthen the control of temperature, humidity and other environmental conditions in the cultivation site. For chemical control, 15% pyridaben emulsifiable concentrate at 1200 times solution or 24% abamectin·spirodiclofen emulsifiable concentrate at 3000 times solution may be used for spray control.
3.7 Thrips
3.7.1 Occurrence and Damage. Thrips are prone to occur under high temperature and low humidity environmental conditions. They mainly suck plant sap on the leaf surface, and the damage is similar to that of red spider mites.
3.7.2 Control Methods. Use Huijian 21% suspension or Actara 25% water-dispersible granules (active ingredient thiamethoxam) at 3000~4000 times solution for spray control.
The above are the cutting propagation methods and facility cultivation management techniques for ivy. Friends interested in growing ivy, come and learn!
Common Pest and Disease Control Techniques for Ivy
Ivy is a common indoor plant variety for us, sowhat diseases often occur during ivy cultivation?How to control them? This is the topic the editor wants to discuss with everyone today.
[Expert Answer]The main diseases include algal leaf spot, anthracnose, bacterial leaf rot, leaf spot, root rot, phytophthora blight, etc. Among pests, leaf roller borers, scale insects and red spider mites cause relatively serious damage.
First, in late autumn or early spring, clear away dead branches and fallen leaves and promptly prune diseased branches and diseased leaves and burn them;
Second, before disease onset, spray 65% zineb at 600 times solution for protection;
Third, fertilize and water reasonably, and pay attention to ventilation and light transmission;
Fourth, in the early stage of disease, spray 50% carbendazim or 50% thiophanate at 500-600 times solution, or 75% chlorothalonil at 600-800 times solution. Rust disease: in addition to the above methods 1-3, after disease onset spray 97% fenaminosulf at 250-300 times solution (adding 0.1% washing powder), or 25% triadimefon at 1500-2500 times solution.
Leaf Spot
Bacterial leaf spot occurs on the leaves and stems of the plant. In the early stage of disease, affected leaves produce water-soaked, light green circular small spots; the spots later gradually expand and turn into brown or black spots, with slightly red margins, and the petioles also turn brown, causing the leaves to wither. When branches are affected, it spreads from the branch tip downward and penetrates into the xylem; when the disease is severe, the canker spots can girdle the stem, causing the branches and leaves above the diseased part to wither. When humid, and when conditions are suitable, it spreads by rain splash, invading the plant body through stomata, hydathodes or wounds; under warm, humid conditions, bacterial ooze appears on the diseased part.
Control Methods
① Reduce sources of infection: promptly prune diseased tissue, and promptly burn severely affected diseased plants when found.
② Strengthen cultivation management: water the plants from the root zone, do not splash-water, so as to avoid spreading pathogens and expanding the damage.
③ Soil treatment: soil contaminated by pathogens can be treated with 2% formalin solution.
Ivy Anthracnose
Anthracnose
A common disease. It mainly affects leaves; when severely affected, the leaves turn gray-white; it occurs easily during continuous autumn rain.
Control methods: Place in a ventilated and light-transmitting location, and do not water directly onto the leaves. After disease onset, spray 50% carbendazim wettable powder at 500 times solution, once every 7 days, 3-4 consecutive sprays can control it. For other methods, refer to the pest and disease control section for Schefflera octophylla.
Leaf Spot
A common disease. It easily causes leaves to yellow and shed, mostly caused by poor ventilation and a stuffy, humid environment.
Control methods: In the early stage of disease, remove diseased leaves and burn them in a centralized manner. At the same time, spray 1% Bordeaux mixture, once every 7 days, 4-5 consecutive sprays.
Scale Insects
Scale Insects
A common pest. Affected plants grow poorly and can be contaminated with sooty mold, causing leaves to yellow and shed prematurely.
Control methods: Manual scraping. When the affected area is large, 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 800 times solution may also be sprayed. For other methods, refer to the pest and disease control section for Cycas revoluta.
Phytophthora Blight
(1) Symptom characteristics: The whole leaf or most leaves turn brown and rot, or the stem base and young node base show dark green water-soaked symptoms, becoming soft and constricted, later turning brown to brown-black, and the branches and leaves above the diseased part wither. Some directly form rotten tops or dead heads; sometimes the stem base of cuttings also becomes diseased and produces stem rot. When cuttings carry pathogens or the soil carries pathogens, and soil and air humidity are high, the disease occurs easily and spreads rapidly.
(2) Control methods
① Promptly pull out diseased plants when found, and appropriately control watering.
② When planting cuttings, pay attention to selecting cuttings from plants free of pest and disease damage, and insert them into sterilized substrate or substrate where phytophthora blight has not occurred. Planting should not be too dense, and attention should be paid to ventilation and light transmission.
③ During the rainy season, drain promptly to prevent moisture retention.
④ In the early stage of disease, spray or drench 25% metalaxyl wettable powder at 800 times solution or 58% metalaxyl·mancozeb wettable powder at 600 times solution, 64% oxadixyl wettable powder at 600 times solution, or 72% kelü at 600 times solution.
Gray Mold
(1) Symptom characteristics: Water-soaked brown or black spots are produced at the leaf margins; when severe, the spots may occupy most of the leaf or the whole leaf, and a gray mold layer develops when humid.
(2) Control methods: Cultivate with disease-free new soil, control watering, and do not apply too much nitrogen fertilizer. Promptly remove diseased leaves and burn them. When disease occurs, spray 75% chlorothalonil at 500 times solution. Once every 10 days, 2~3 consecutive times.
Purple Protruding Eyed Oyster Scale
(1) Damage characteristics: Nymphs and female adults pierce and suck sap from branches and leaves. When severe, they cover the leaves and branches, causing the plant to dry up, yellow and die.
(2) Control methods: In winter, combine with shaping and prune out pest-infested branches and leaves, and burn them in a centralized manner. During the nymph hatching period, spray 50% phoxim at 1000 times solution or Supracide at 1500 times solution.
Sunscald
Symptoms: Upper leaves or new leaves turn light gray, gradually wither, and fall.
Cause: A physiological disorder. In summer, ivy that has long been kept in a shaded place and is suddenly placed under bright sunlight is easily scorched by strong sunlight.
Control methods: The cultivation environment should be semi-shaded, with sunlight about 50%-70%. Avoid direct strong sunlight.
Control of Main Pests and Diseases of Ivy
1. Phytophthora Blight
(1) Symptom characteristics: The whole leaf or most leaves turn brown and rot, or the stem base and young node base show dark green water-soaked symptoms, becoming soft and constricted, later turning brown to brown-black, and the branches and leaves above the diseased part wither. Some directly form rotten tops or dead heads; sometimes the stem base of cuttings also becomes diseased and produces stem rot. When cuttings carry pathogens or the soil carries pathogens, and soil and air humidity are high, the disease occurs easily and spreads rapidly.
(2) Control methods
① Promptly pull out diseased plants when found, and appropriately control watering.
② When planting cuttings, pay attention to selecting cuttings from plants free of pest and disease damage, and insert them into sterilized substrate or substrate where phytophthora blight has not occurred. Planting should not be too dense, and attention should be paid to ventilation and light transmission.
③ During the rainy season, drain promptly to prevent moisture retention.
④ In the early stage of disease, spray or drench 25% metalaxyl wettable powder at 800 times solution or 58% metalaxyl·mancozeb wettable powder at 600 times solution, 64% oxadixyl wettable powder at 600 times solution, or 72% kelü at 600 times solution.
2. Gray Mold
(1) Symptom characteristics: Water-soaked brown or black spots are produced at the leaf margins; when severe, the spots may occupy most of the leaf or the whole leaf, and a gray mold layer develops when humid.
(2) Control methods: Cultivate with disease-free new soil, control watering, and do not apply too much nitrogen fertilizer. Promptly remove diseased leaves and burn them. When disease occurs, spray 75% chlorothalonil at 500 times solution. Once every 10 days, 2~3 consecutive times.
3. Leaf Spot
(1) Symptom characteristics: In the early stage, only very small circular dark spots appear on the leaf surface, with oily halos. They later expand, become black, and some become polygonal; sometimes brown deposits are present around the spots. Occasionally canker spots also form on the petioles. Affected leaves generally do not shed. The pathogen overwinters in the diseased tissue. Under warm, humid conditions, the pathogen oozes out from the diseased tissue and spreads by wind and rain or insects, causing primary infection and secondary infection. The disease occurs easily with poor ventilation, poor light transmission and poor management.
(2) Control methods: Select disease-free mother plants for propagation. In the early stage of disease, spray streptomycin sulfate at 3000 times solution or 12% lülütong emulsifiable concentrate at 600 times solution, or 20% longkejun suspension at 500 times solution.
4. Purple Protruding Eyed Oyster Scale
(1) Damage characteristics: Nymphs and female adults pierce and suck sap from branches and leaves. When severe, they cover the leaves and branches, causing the plant to dry up, yellow and die.
(2) Control methods: In winter, combine with pruning, cut off pest-infested branches and leaves, and burn them in a centralized manner. During the nymph hatching period, spray 50% phoxim 1000x solution or Supracide 1500x solution.