Hedera Helix (English Ivy) #1

[Orion_metalhead]

Some updates on the Ivy...

Looking very nice and healthy. Will probably benefit from a repot next year and some branch wiring. The vein up the side is looking perfect right now, so just need to let this grow on. I may look for a long term pot for it. Any pot ideas? I think an unglazed suits it.




Pictures of the two low pads.. I can probably cut them back severely next year to new shoots to get some better structure.

 

[berzerkules]

Makes me wish I still had my old ivy. One day I'll get another good one.

I've wanted an ivy bonsai since I saw this one Sebastijan Sandev has.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Repotted the Ivy.

Before:



After. Pot by @Bob Hunter. Im thinking of growing the low left branch down and out into a semi-cascade. Thoughts?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

End of year. @Bob Hunter pot still looks great. Going for the semi-cascade with the left branch. Going to let it run next year to continue thickening the left branch. Tree actually added a bit of girth this year (.25") from last measurement.

Before wire:


After wire and light pruning:

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Reaaally please with this to start the summer. Might be one of my top 5 trees right now.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Took a better photo today.

 

[Bombylius]

Thanks for sharing your ivy’s fascinating progress (Congratulations on the human one BTW). As someone pointed out, it’s a menace, but it’s a survivor, and everywhere here. I potted up a couple of ivy plants recently that I would otherwise have composted and definitely feel inspired by yours to see where they go.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Thanks!!!

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Was shown at our club meeting in July. Since then its been just recovering. Hit it with fertilizer. Growing unrestrained the rest of the year since I kept it in pretty tight check until the show.

Here it is at the show: lighting does not quite do it justice.

 

[PonderingSage:]

Looking good. I tried rooting some cut stumps and none took. I’ll try again next spring. I’m currently trying an airlayer.
Does anyone know if the leaves reduce at all?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

They reduce well. My leaves range from 1" - 2-1/2". I expect them to get even smaller as ramification continues.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Cleaning up before winter. Took off a bunch of excessive growth. Going to put in the bilco door area. It could live outside but I'd like to protect it a little. Especially the pot. Next year... repot and fertilize like mad. Any styling thoughts? The left branch is actually two tiers, but the upper most tier is drooping a little... will wire that back up in the spring and the lower branch again for some extra clarity on the left.

Before:



After:

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Repotted today. Slightly higher in pot. Looking good.

Before:


Roots trimmed and cleaned up:


After:

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Last days in the office. I start a new job next week and tomorrow I'll be taking the ivy and poinsettia.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Trying it inside this winter.. started growing again recently. Plan on letting it run til about April/May before pruning again.

 

[stubmle]

Trying it inside this winter.. started growing again recently. Plan on letting it run til about April/May before pruning again.

View attachment 579894

Looks great! Are you still using 8822 for this? I've been trying it out on some of my stuff since pumice is so expensive... still a bit earlier to tell how it compares though. Is it working well for you?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

This is in a mix of 8822, saf-t-sorb, and perlite. I stopped using pure 8822 out of convenience because I would have to order it from napa and that was a pain. I am working my way through the last bags of it. In nicer pots, for more moisture preferring species, im using saf-t-sorb, perlite, and shredded pine bark. I believe that is what this is in now. Ive also added akadama or pea gravel depending on the species.