Ivy is a plant that can add a lot of green to a landscape.Growing ivy from cuttings is an easy process that will save you money on plants.Start by gathering your plants, then transplant them into the soil or water.repot them the following spring if they are kept in a warm area that gets light.You don't have to purchase new ivy plants with just a little bit of effort and some time.
Step 1: In the late summer or early fall, take ivy.
It is a good time of the year to have fresh growth on the plant.The weather will be nice in the fall to start the cutting.Before cold weather sets in, aim to take cuttings.The timing for planting your new plants in the spring will be better if you take cuttings at this time of year.It's the right time of the year to take cuttings from a wide variety of climbers, such as passion flower, clematis, and celastrus.
Step 2: Look for new growth on the plant.
When made from the current year's growth, ivy cuttings work best.You can see new growth by looking at the parts of the ivy plant that are green, not the older areas that have dark green leaves and thick stems.This kind of cutting is called a semi-ripe cutting.This year's growth isn't older sections.Pick out pieces that are damaged or have unusual growth patterns.
Step 3: For the best results, find a stem that has at least 3 to 4 nodes on it.
The stem should be held with one hand above the other.The leaves will be left on the stem after you cut it if you locate a spot above the nodes.
Step 4: Cut off at least 6 inches (15 cm) using garden shears or a knife.
Clean shears will reduce the chance of introducing a disease onto the cutting.Rub alcohol on the cutting surface of your shears to make them sterile.Cut across the stem with the shears.
Step 5: The cuttings should be wrapped in a damp towel and put into a plastic bag.
Wrap a paper towel around the ends of the stems.To keep them moist, place the towel and cuttings in a plastic bag.If you need to wait for an hour or more, this is important.Take your cuttings in the morning.The ivy plant has a lot of water in it, which can help keep it moist.
Step 6: Pick pots that are big enough to fit all of the cuttings into.
A standard 8 in (20 cm) pot will work well if you are doing less than 6 cuttings.Pick a bigger pot or several pots if you are doing more than 6 cuttings.You can put any type of pot in which you want.The pots need to have drainage holes in the bottom.It will cut down on the space required for the cuttings and it will also mean less pots to water.The plants will be fine together in one pot, since they will need to be repot once they have roots.
Step 7: Water the pots by filling them with soil.
Pick a general potting soil or a soil made specifically for propagation, which usually has a high percentage of perlite or sand.The soil should be 2 inch below the edge of the pot.Put the pot over the sink or set it outside and fill it with water until it runs out.If you leave the soil below the edge of the pot, the water won't overflow.
Step 8: The holes should be 2 inches apart around the edge of the pot.
To make the holes deeper, use the end of a pencil.The rooting powder can't be moved from the end of the cutting to the soil.Make as many holes as you can.You can use a small pointed object to make the holes.
Step 9: The ends of the cuttings should be trimmed 2 inch (1.3 cm) again.
Remove leaves that are less than 3 inches from the end of the cutting.This will give you a clean end to use.The end of your cuttings is more likely to be dried out if they were gathered longer than an hour.These cuts can be made with shears or a knife.
Step 10: The rooting hormone should be put on the cut end.
Pick up your cutting when you open the container of rooting hormone.The cut end should be dipped into the hormone.Lift it out and tap it lightly to knock out any excess hormones.rooting hormone can be purchased in powder or liquid form.Most garden stores and online retailers carry it.
Step 11: Put a cutting in each hole and secure it.
Each cutting needs to be inserted into a hole.The rooting hormone should be placed into a hole at the end.Hold the cutting upright with one hand and then press the soil around it to keep it in place.Try to keep the cutting centered in the hole so that the rooting hormone doesn't get knocked off.It's fine to lose a little on the top edge of the hole.If the cutting is too long or unwieldy to stay in the soil even when pressed around it, you may need to keep it in place with a stake or other means of support.The bottom of the cutting needs to stay put while rooting.
Step 12: Water the pot until it runs dry.
If you want to soak the soil, put the pot under a faucet.Keep watering in a light stream until the bottom of the pot is filled with water.As you water, be careful not to disturb the cuttings too much.If you keep the water away from the base of the cuttings, they will stay in the soil.
Step 13: The stem should be cut just below the lowest root.
The leaves grow out of the bumps on the stem.Use a clean knife or pair of sharp scissors to cut the stem.The cut is about 4 in.If there are any leaves near the bottom, pinch or cut them off.
Step 14: Place the cutting in a clean cup.
The water should cover the bottom of the stem and there should be no leaves in the water.If the stem is covered with water, pour it out.
Step 15: The water should be changed every 3 to 5 days.
Once every 3 to 5 days, dump out the old water and replace it with new room-temperature water.You can rinse off the roots with room-temperature water.If you want to remove film from the roots, you can rub them with your fingers.If leaves fall into the water, you have to remove them right away.
Step 16: The roots should be 5 in (13 cm) long.
After the roots are about 5 in (13 cm) long, move your cutting to a pot filled with soil.Pull the ivy stem out of the water and hold a ruler next to the roots to check the length.Measure from the bottom to the end of the roots.
Step 17: The pots or cups can be placed inside or outside.
The pots or cups have to be out of the sun but not cold.If the pots are inside, place them near a window that gets bright light but won't shine directly on the cuttings.If you are keeping them outside, cover the pots with plastic bags and put them in a bright spot out of the sun.If you want to easily access the cuttings, put them somewhere that is easy to access.If you want to remind yourself to care for them, put them somewhere that you will see them frequently.This could be in a room or a door that you go into or out of every day.
Step 18: The soil should be kept in potted plants damp at all times.
When the surface starts to dry out, sprinkle the soil with water.The amount of time the soil takes to dry out depends on the temperature and humidity of the plants.Direct watering works well for indoor pots, while a mister can be used to keep outdoor pots wet.Don't drown the cuttings in too much water.Don't leave the pot in the water.
Step 19: Remove dead or discolored plants from the soil or water.
Some of your cuttings won't survive.Remove the cutting from the pot if you can see that it has fallen over.The dead and sick plants should be taken out of the pot or cup.If you're unsure about whether a cutting is dead or dying, remove it.It is best to have fewer plants that are healthy.
Step 20: Repot.
ivy roots in 1-2 months with proper care.Once you repot them, pot them as you would any new plant, being careful with the roots and giving them rich soil to thrive in.Young ivy plants can be planted in the ground or in a pot.Keep in mind that a potted plant needs to be watered more often because it will dry out quicker.For at least a few months, allow the new plants to establish themselves.