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Ivy
Ivy is a prominent plant in legend and lore. It is associated with the god Bacchus (and hence with tavern signs), and a cup made of ivy-wood was thought to cure whooping-cough. Ivy is gaining popularity as a bonsai, for although a vine, ivy will develop an attractive woody trunk for use in pot culture.
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| | Lighting: | Prefers semi-shade, although Hedera helix can also grow in shade. | | Temperature: | Lesniewicz claims that H. helix can be grown successfully indoors. It is zone hardy in colder climates, while H. rhombea is more tender. | | Watering: | Frequently during growth, moderating in winter. | | Feeding: | Every two weeks during growth, using liquid bonsai food or half-strength plant food. | | Repotting: | Every two years in spring or early autumn, using basic bonsai soil. | | Styling: | Any style but formal upright. Cut new shoots back hard to the first one or two leaves near the trunk. As with most woody vines, the major challenge is to grow a thick trunk, and to keep growth compact. A good start is by using an old vine that has been collected. | | Propagation: | Cuttings, air-layering. A good source is old, unwanted vines alongside houses, which have had time to grow thick, woody trunks. Young plants creep, but older plants become shrubby - and cuttings taken from shrubby plants retain these characteristics suitable for bonsai. |
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