Dieing ivy

MargeSimpson · Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:12 pm Post subject: Dieing ivy

I have a trailing ivy that has been losing its leaves now for 2/3 weeks. They go brown at the tip and then it move back towards the stalk, then the leaf dries up and drops off. I thought at first it might be spider mite so I have washed it with soapy lukewarm water several times. But the plant has continued to lose its leaves. Any ideas?

verge · Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:38 pm Post subject:

A few questions for you Marge first, to help us help you.
1. How often do you water your ivy.
2. Do you use tap water to water your ivy.
3. How often and with what do you fertilise your ivy.

MargeSimpson · Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:41 am Post subject:

Hi verge

1. I let it grow dry on the surface then water.
2. I let tap water sit for >24 hours before I use it on any of my house plants
3. I use baby bio, ~ every 3 weeks

I had to cut most of the trailing stems off as they had lost all their leaves in the middle and there was new growth at the end.

Adamn Greathead · Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 6:14 pm Post subject: Ailing Ivy

Hello Marge
Sorry to hear about your ivy. Is it positioned where it will catch the sun?- it looks to me as though the foliage has got wet and scorched. Do you water from underneath or above?-that could be the problem. If not make sure you are giving it the correct dosage of feed as too much can burn the roots thus turning the foliage the way it is.
So really i would make sure you are watering from beneath and cut down on the feed because it won't need so much now growth is slowing down for the winter.
Best Wishes
Adam

verge · Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 10:59 am Post subject:

Good points there Adam.

Marge, in reply to your answers...." I let it go dry on the surface then water."
This sounds good, but stick you finger into the compost for an inch or two. Central heating can dry out the surface very quickly, but beneath it could be sodden. Overwatering can cause browning of your leaves.

"I let tap water sit for >24 hours before I use it on any of my house plants"
Tap water is a no-no. It can contain chlorine, excessive salts (if using a water softener) or the water can be too hard (limey). Leave a container outside to collect rainwater. Rain is good for the plants outside and it will be equally good for your indoor ivy.

"I use baby bio, ~ every 3 weeks"
This sounds ok during the plants main growing season (spring and summer). However, I would just feed once in autumn and once in winter as the plant does not require the feed.

Sugar_Ape · Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 11:06 am Post subject:

I wonder could it be root-bound as well? I read that dead tips means a problem with the roots.

Sugar Ape

James Kilkelly

The brown tips on your ivy leads me to think it is a root problem Marge.
That root problem could be water or feed based.
I noticed on the tray at the base of the plant that there is quite a quantity of white residue.
Could this be caused by very hard water (as mentioned previously), a limey or calcium type powder.
Or could the white residue be caused by the salts within the plant foods you use, perhaps the dose is too high (also mentioned previously).

MargeSimpson · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 9:03 pm Post subject:

My kettle has no scale which would indicate no hard water (maybe?)

I might try repotting it, maybe not feeding it for 1 month but continue to water as verge suggested. Then see what happens.

James Kilkelly · Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 2:16 pm Post subject:

Marge, theres an article on re-potting here... http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=397