If we are going to talk about a plant that is versatile in the world and has a good and popular coverage, that is ivy. Planting ivy turns out to be a very good option, it is also healthy and practically the inconveniences in gardening will be nil. Planting this plant can bring us several benefits, among which we find the following: the maintenance it requires is reduced, it does not need much sun, it is good for preventing erosion and it can also be planted on slopes, even if they are quite steep, in addition the same it can be used to climb up a trellis and walls. If you are interested in the subject, read the steps of How to plant ivy that we bring to you below.
Ivy is a plant that you can include in your garden, this is a climbing perennial plant, quite common, that grows spontaneously and naturally in places that have shade and some humidity, but it also adapts well to other types of climates and floors.
The leaves have a bright green color and are etiolate, if they are planted indoors they usually do not bloom, but outdoors flowers will be seen in clusters during the summer and part of the autumn season, the fruits will vary according to the species.
This plant is ornamental and is used to decorate both outdoors and indoors, it can also be used in spaces that are horizontal or in vertical hanging gardens.
This plant can reach thirty meters in length when planted outdoors, it will grow approximately fifty centimeters each year, and on the other hand it develops abundant foliage.
Ivy Selection
Start selecting the desired species, the advantage is that most of these species will grow in good shape regardless of the place, from those full of shade to those that get full sun and all will serve to have a good cover and control the erosion. In any case, the most common is the so-called Helix Ivy, followed by the Canariensis and the Algerian.
You must also choose if you want to start planting with seeds or with the faster and easier option that is through seedlings, and then go to plant them in the place you are going to choose.
Time to plant the ivy
This should be done in spring, ideally in a shady area, so you don’t give the nascent shoots any sun.
The roots
When you go to plant ivy you should think that it is a plant that has aerial roots, these are the ones that grab and climb through the different areas and places and that is how they cover the whole place or part of it, be it soil, wall or the place where you have chosen to put them, it is important then that you choose places where the plant can be supported, growing this plant will become a solution when we want to decorate certain spaces. When the ivy grows, it will surely do everything to find where it can climb. If it is going to be planted in a hanging pot, the roots will begin to look for what objects they can grab onto.
Soil
You must irrigate with plenty of water before proceeding to sow the ivy, as these plants will have better growth in fairly moist soil. Ivy prefers a soil that is clayey and has plenty of organic matter.
In general terms, this plant does not require very special soils; a pH that is close to six will suffice. What will be important is that there is good drainage, as this is quite significant if we do not want there to be puddles or the root to rot, when the plant reaches its sixth month it is good that you incorporate a bed of compost or fumes to that in this way you enrich the land and thus stimulate the growth of ivy.
The light
This plant does not require direct sunlight; even it develops better in shaded areas.
Temperature
The ideal for ivy to develop with its maximum potential is for it to be between fifteen and twenty-one degrees, although as we have said, it is a versatile plant capable of resisting lower or higher temperatures.
Select the place
As we already mentioned, you could plant the ivy in the place that you most want, it is generally used to plant them in those places that are more difficult when we talk about gardening, for example in the steepest parts where it is difficult to grow other plants or even grass, It will also work well in places that have shade, or if you prefer, use it to grow on a trellis on a wall.
Dig holes for plants
Make holes that are six inches deep and space each about a foot apart, this should be deep enough to fit the root of the new plants.
Sow the plants
Now take the plants and put them inside each hole, you must cover the entire hole with soil, covering its root.
Fertilization
You should avoid fertilizing these plants for at least three months, once the plants are established, proceed to fertilize them every two months during the spring and summer, the fertilizer should be the one called for all purposes.
The fertilizer
Adding compost around the soil will help your ivy grow and improve the soil.
The risks
This plant does not require much watering, even in the coldest season where temperatures drop more, it will be enough to water them once a week and in the hottest seasons where the temperature rises, it is good to water them between three and four times. A week to thus keep them well hydrated.
Propagation of ivy
This plant multiplies easily, so it is not really necessary to propagate it, in the same way if you want to do it, fix portions of the stem in the ground that will take care of developing new roots at the point you put it.
You must control the ivy
This plant reproduces and propagates quickly, it is even considered to be invasive, so if you decide to plant it you must commit to only planting it in your garden, you must not allow it to spread freely, since even the cycles of the different nutrients of the ecosystem in your area could be interrupted.
The pests
It can be attacked by pests that are common in gardens and orchards, such as cochineal, aphids or red spiders.
House plant
If what you want is to have an indoor plant, you can also do it in containers or in pots that are hanging.
If you are going to plant in pots (pots), they must be a minimum of thirty centimeters deep and when the year is over you must move them to another larger container that is approximately fifty centimeters deep so that the ivy can grow correctly.
When you water an indoor ivy, you should also spray water on its leaves, especially if you see it turning yellow or wrinkling, this may indicate that it needs more water, this is due to the heating that is responsible for drying plant,
Grades
- If what you want is for it to climb a wall, you should plant the plant near the place.
- It is important to put tutors such as canes, ropes, sticks, among others, since it is a climbing plant.
