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Our ivy, Hedera helix
(English Ivy) and H.canariensis (Algerian Ivy), is
grown in greenhouses until the moment it is sent off to you. As it arrives to
you it is suitable for placement indoors or outdoors (unless it is winter) in
a covered area that only receives direct sunlight in the morning. If the
intended use is outdoors in full sun the plants must be slowly acclimated or
they will burn. If placed indoors they will do best in a high light area out
of direct sun.
Watering frequency depends on temperature, ratio of plant size to pot,
humidity, plant vigor and lighting conditions. A large, actively growing
plant in a medium size container (such as a 6 _" pot) in a room with
plenty of light that is kept around 75 degrees will probably need water twice
a week, but check first! The best way to determine if water is needed is to
feel the top of the soil with your finger (digging down a _ inch is even
better).
If it feels wet, do not water; if it feels moist do not water, but check
again the following day; if it is dry, water immediately. Ivy likes to dry
out slightly between waterings; this doesn't mean
that it is ok to forget about it for two weeks! Going from a very dry to wet
more than a couple of times will cause many of the vines to die of root rot.
Keeping the plant wet all the time will also make it susceptible to root rot.
Fertilization is only needed if the plant turns chlorotic
(yellow or light green) over time. In a typical home location, that would be
once or twice a year.
Ivy is a favored host of spider mites especially in the summer. The problem
with spider mites is that they are so small that they are everywhere, even in
the air; plants placed near an open window or a door that is opened
frequently have a high chance of becoming infested. They love warm, dry, dusty
spots on the tops of plants. The best way to deal with spider mites is to
prevent them from becoming a problem. Mist the plants frequently every day or
wash them once a week or so. Chemicals such as insecticidal soap work on
spider mites (follow the instructions on the label). Mealy bugs are the other
main insects found on ivy. They are much slower to develop and so if spotted
can usually merely be squished to stop their spread. If found, check the
plant closely, squish all visible bugs and spray with insecticidal soap once
or twice to finish off any that was not visible.
One final but important tip would be to transplant each plant into a terra
cotta pot that is larger than the plastic pot if comes in. Plastic pots are
great for production in a greenhouse and for shipping the plants to you, but
they are not that good for keeping plants alive in a home or store. Ivy roots
need lots of oxygen and the porous nature of terra cotta allows plenty of
oxygen in while also preventing over-watering by evaporating excess water
through the sides of the pot.
Ivy can be grown outdoors in USDA Zones 6 and above in the ground or USDA
Zone 9 in pots year round.
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