Common ivy is a surprisingly unpretentious and useful ornamental plant. It is grown in a room to purify air, strengthen immunity and relieve stress. The healing properties of the plant are used in classical and traditional medicine.
Description
Homeland ivy indoor - the northern part of Europe. At present, its growth territory is vast: South and Western Europe, North Africa, Central and East Asia. Ivy has other names - heder, bindweed. The birthplace of ivy does not include a very large number of varieties of this plant. But at present, breeders have bred many varieties that differ significantly from one another in the shape, size and color of the leaves. They are: oval, round, star-shaped, corrugated, with smooth edges, yellow and green, spotty and one-color.
Common ivy belongs to the Araliaceae family and is an evergreen plant. It is a winding vine with sucker roots that allow it to climb up the windowsill or support. Branches can go down to the floor, and then trail along a horizontal surface. In indoor conditions, this plant blooms and bears fruit very rarely. Its flowers do not differ in beauty. Indoor ivy gives attractive berries. But they are not suitable for consumption. For high decorative qualities, flower growers call the plant unpretentious handsome. This crop is ideal for indoor growth.
Growing
The homeland of indoor ivy does not differ in a hot climate. Therefore, growing at home, this plant is not demanding on high temperatures. In winter, ten degrees above zero is enough. It should be noted that at a high temperature in the room, the plant will need to be sprayed regularly. Ivy loves light, but not direct sunlight, it suffers from them. This culture does not like to be rearranged to another place with different lighting. She adapts to him for a long time.
In the summer, the plant should be watered more often and more abundantly. Drying of the soil should not be allowed; it should always be moist. But in winter, on the contrary, excess water can harm the bindweed. Therefore, there is no need to worry if the earth in the pot dries. For winter, this is normal. The indoor plant ivy, the photo of which you see, needs to be washed periodically with warm water. It is better to do it in the shower.
Like any other culture, common ivy needs to be fed. You need to do it from early spring to the end of summer twice a month. To do this, use infusion of mullein or fertilizers for home ornamental plants. Feeding too often leads to rapid leaf growth, and the bindweed loses its decorative effect. In winter, top dressing is limited to once a month.
The cool climate is characterized by the birthplace of ivy. Therefore, growing at home, it is not picky about the soil. It is enough to mix turf soil, humus, sand and peat. With this composition, the soil will have a loose structure and a sufficient amount of nutrients. You can mix in equal parts turf and deciduous land.
Breeding
You can get new ivy plants using shoots, layering and cuttings, regardless of the time of year.
- Propagation by shoot occurs as follows. It is cut off along with the leaves, laid in a shallow groove and sprinkled with earth. Leaves should stay outside. After half a month, air loops near the leaves will grow into roots. You need to take out the shoot from the ground and cut it. Get a lot of small cuttings that are planted in separate pots.
- When propagating by layering, only one new plant is obtained. To do this, bend the shoot into a nearby pot and dig it, but not completely. After a while, he will start the roots, and it can be separated from the plant.
- Indoor ivy is propagated by cuttings. To do this, they are cut off with air loops and placed in moist sand. Landing is covered with a glass or plastic jar. When the cuttings take root, they are planted in individual pots.
Pests and diseases
- The spider mite infects the lower part of the leaves and the tips of the shoots. Yellow spots appear on the upper part, and a thin web forms. Over time, the leaves fall off. For prevention, plants are sprayed with anti-mite agents.
- Mealybug sucks out juices from leaves and shoots, as a result of which the plant grows slowly. Prevention comes down to maintaining optimal humidity in the room.
- Scaffold affects leaves, branches and trunks. With significant infection, the plant becomes covered with bloom, the leaves turn yellow and fall off. The scabbard is removed with an alcohol solution. After that, ivy is treated with chemicals.
Medicinal use
Since ancient times, the healing properties of this plant were appreciated. Currently, ivy leaves are widely used in many antitussive drugs. Such medicines are used to treat colds, whooping cough, bronchitis, and asthma.
The homeland of indoor ivy was famous for traditional healers. They used leafy tinctures as an astringent, antiemetic, and laxative. Cooked decoctions help treat headaches, sclerosis, rheumatism, gout, liver, gall and bladder. They treat tuberculosis and rickets. For external use, ointments are prepared with which corns, warts and wen can be reduced. Leaves are collected just before flowering. During this period, they contain more nutrients. After collecting, they are dried in air or in a dryer. After which the leaves can be stored for up to four years.
Signs
From ancient times to the present, people associate certain events, objects and phenomena with signs. They did not pass by and ivy ordinary indoor. Any plants living in the house have a certain energy. Ivy is considered a vampire that can take energy from a person. And according to another statement, this plant has a wonderful gift to inspire self-confidence in the homeowners. Even considering two completely opposite qualities, ivy is an uniquely useful indoor plant. After all, he takes away also negative energy.
So, for example, in ancient times, the Greeks believed that a woman would remain young and beautiful for many years if she put a sprig of ivy on her chest. It was believed that a married lady would lose her companion if this plant was in her house.
Decorative use
The northern part of Europe, the birthplace of indoor ivy, has long been famous for growing this plant. Ivy grows very quickly. Therefore, to form or maintain a certain form, it is cut off.
A plant can completely braid a window, ceiling, walls or form a weeping tree from it. Modern business life is fast paced. It has a place for stress and emotional stress. Ivy easily removes them. Therefore, such a houseplant often decorates office space.