our church plant

In the early days of planting the church in La Crosse, I purchased a houseplant and named him Phil. He grew slow and steady - with care. One day I remember looking at him and wondering how he got so big, arms stretching out every where. I remember transplanting, pruning, relocating, sometimes problem solving to bring about the optimal health and growth that was desired.

Recently I was at the store and the small starter houseplants caught my eye. Perhaps, we need a church plant for our Madison adventure as well. So, here is Ivy:



Ivy (Hedera species) is a versatile houseplant that can be grown in many different situations. Ivies can be grown in hanging baskets, at the base of other houseplants and in pots of their own. Ivy is often trained on trellis frames or wire topiary forms into various formal or whimsical shapes,
-my personal favorite.

HEIGHT/SPREAD

While most ivies are virtually unlimited in their spread, you can easily keep them pruned to almost any size that you want when grown as houseplants. Small-leafed, slow-growing types are easier to maintain in a small pot. Large leafed, rapid growers such as Algerian ivy are ideal for hanging baskets, where its vigorous growth is an advantage. (Sounds like the Church.)

ORNAMENTAL FEATURES

Ornamental ivies have an amazing range of different foliage types. The leaves of some ivies are as large as a saucer while others have leaves smaller than a dime. Many ivies have leaves edged, splashed or centered with silver, gray-green, white, cream, yellow, chartreuse or gold.

PROBLEMS

In the home, plant diseases are very rarely a problem. Too much or too little water plus insects and mites are the main problems. Root rot usually results from a soil mix that does not drain quickly or overly frequent watering. Mealybugs, mites, aphids, whiteflies and scales are the most common insect pests of ivies grown as houseplants. If the area infested is limited you can prune out those parts of the plant. Periodic washing can help prevent many pest problems. Wash plants by dunking the foliage upside down in a gallon of water to which insecticidal soap has been added. Hold the soil in the pot with a cover of foil or plastic. Maintaining cooler temperatures and high humidity will help prevent some of the most common insect pests, but the plant will grow more slowly. Some people develop a skin rash as a result of contact with the plant sap. (I know people who develop rashes when in contact with the church - well, at least they seem to think that's what will happen.) Wear gloves (respect the response, be a bit more careful and nurturing) when pruning ivies if you know that you have this reaction.

CULTURE

Most cultivars of ivy grow best in THE bright light...don't we all!