Question

Ivy   I bought a my Ivy right before Christmas and it has been growing really well. I'm not exactly sure how to take clippings to start new ones, Some people have advised me to clip just below the leaf sprout and some have said right above it.
I went to take a clipping and noticed a bunch of TINY growths along some of the vines. I don't know what they are but they appeared pretty quickly. I really want to save my plant - if they are a problem. It sits in West window and I have a fluorescent lamp near it. I dont think I have over watered it but then again, I managed to kill my scheflerra :( Please help me!

Answer
Hi Marie,

Your Hedera Ivy looks healthy and you have nothing to be concerned about.

The tiny bumps along the stem are incipient roots that will develop when they are placed in contact with water or constantly moist soil. In nature, these ivies spread along the forest floor where the damp soil causes them to produce new roots as they spread about. Damp tree bark also allows them to produce roots that attach themselves to the bark so they can climb. When you take cuttings and insert the stems in water or damp potting soil, those little bumps will develop into roots.

You can take clippings at any point along the stems. However, if you cut just ABOVE a leaf node, then there will be no tell-tale stem stub left behind. This just makes it look nicer.

I have written an article on Hedera Ivy care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com