Advice: Ivy cuttings

[AshLee]

I was researching this question (to prepare an answer that also combined my experience in this area) and found this same question again on Google. So if someone should happen to hit this thread again in a search, here is my answer.

Ivy is the beginners choice if you want to gain experience in taking cuttings. You may not always have the opportunity to layer. (For example, some ivy in my garden is taken from common land in my area, from plants that I liked the look of.)

I yanked some stems of the plants (from the top, near the growing tip), cut them up with sharp scissors at home (either side of a node, pieces a few inches long) and dipped the bottom in rooting hormone (optional). I placed this end (minus the leaves) about an inch down into seed compost. More than 50 % were successful. (Always prepare many more than you need - everything you need is fairly cheap anyway).

But they also root in a jam jar, and room temperature should be OK:



And I read that they will root from an internodal area.

The cuttings need light. I imagine you would get more success from an actively growing plant, so this might influence the time of year. But have a go whenever - what have you got to lose? A case of kids, DO try this at home.

[Jez]

Thanks Ashlee, I'm going to have to work out how many I need and if have the room will give the jam jar option a try also. Muchly appreciated

[Paul mabbott]

Easy peasy - just cut longish stems from March onward and place them in a jar of water; when they grow a good bundle of roots pop them into small individual pots of potting compost or decent soil; plant them out when they start making decent growth - keep them watered until the winter.

I must admit that I've never done this on purpose but we feed our stick insects on ivy bundled into a jar - after a few weeks the twigs always grow roots.

[Jez]

Thankyou kindly Mr.Mabbot