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  3. Hedera (Ivy)

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Problem Solver Plant Marquee

Plant:

Hedera (Ivy)
Image of Hedera (Ivy)
Adaptation
Throughout the United States
Soil
Indoors: Use any of the standard potting mixes. Outdoors: Most soils.
Water
Indoors: When the top layer of soil begins to get dry. add enough water so that some drains through the pot. Outdoors: Ivy is very tolerant of dry conditions if it is not in direct sun.
Fertilizer
For best growth, feed once a month with a liquid or soluble plant food. If less growth is desired, fertilize every other month.
Light
Indoors: Ivy adapts to various levels of light. It will grow in bright light, but will also grow in relatively dim light, as in a north-facing window. Outdoors: light shade to heavy shade
Related problems

Bacterial Leaf Spot and Stem Canker -

Image of Bacterial Leaf Spot and Stem Canker
Bacterial Leaf Spot and Stem Canker

Fungal Leaf Spot -

Image of Fungal Leaf Spot
Fungal Leaf Spot

Mealybugs - Hedera (Ivy)

Image of Mealybugs - Insects
Mealybugs

Scale Insects - Hedera (Ivy)

Image of Scale Insects - Hedera (Ivy)
Scale Insects

Sooty Mold - Hedera (Ivy)

Image of Sooty Mold - Hedera (Ivy)
Sooty Mold

Spider Mites - Hedera (Ivy)

Image of Spider Mites - Hedera (Ivy)
Spider Mites
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Bacterial Leaf Spot and Stem Canker -

Image of Bacterial Leaf Spot and Stem Canker
Bacterial Leaf Spot and Stem Canker
Description
Pale green, greasy-looking angular areas spot the leaves. The spots enlarge and turn brown and black, with red margins. They eventually dry out and crack. Leaf stems turn black and shriv to older wood. Brown-black lesions form on the stems. During warm, humid weather, an ooze flows from the infected stems.
Analysis

This disease, caused by a bacterium (Xanthomonas campestris pv. hederae), occurs frequently on English ivy growing in humid areas. Leaves kept constantly moist are particularly susceptible to invasion by these bacteria. The bacteria spread from plant to plant in splashing rain, on insects such as ants, bees, and flies, and on contaminated equipment. People also spread the bacteria when they work around wet, infected plants. Other organisms often enter the dying tissue and stem lesions, causing further decay.

Solution

When the foliage is dry, remove and destroy infected leaves and plants. Avoid planting English ivy in hot, humid areas. Water early in the day to allow the foliage to dry quickly.

Close

Fungal Leaf Spot -

Image of Fungal Leaf Spot
Fungal Leaf Spot
Description
Large tan to brown spots appear on the leaves. These oval or circular areas occur on both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. Spots often enlarge to cover most of the leaf surface. Small black specks may be seen scattered over the surface of the spots. The leaves may turn brownish red, die, and fall.
Analysis

Several different fungi cause leaf spotting on ivy. Some of these fungi may kill tender stems. Others merely spot the leaves and are unsightly. The fungi are spread from plant to plant by wind, splashing water, insects, and contaminated tools. They spend the winter on diseased plant debris left in the garden. Leaf spot affects a wide variety of plants, including flowers, vegetables, and groundcovers. Most leaf spot fungi do their greatest damage in temperatures between 50&deg; and 85&deg;F.

Solution

Spray infected plants with a fungicide labeled for fungal leaf spot, following label directions. Remove and throw away leaves that are spotted on more than half their surface to reduce the spread of infection. Don''t work in the diseased plants when the leaves are wet, or you will help spread the fungi. Water early in the day to allow the leaves to dry before nightfall.

Close

Mealybugs - Hedera (Ivy)

Image of Mealybugs - Insects
Mealybugs
Description
Oval, white insects up to 1/4 inch long cluster in white, cottony masses on leaves, on stems, and in the crotches where leaves are attached. A sticky material may coat the leaves. Mold may grow on the sticky material. Leaves may be spotted or deformed. When the condition is severe, leaves and plants may die.
Analysis

Several species of this common insect feed on ivy. Mealybugs damage plants by sucking sap, causing leaf distortion and death. The adult female mealybug may produce live young or may lay eggs in a white, fluffy mass of wax. The immature mealybugs, called nymphs, crawl all over the plant and onto nearby plants. Soon after they begin to feed, they produce white, waxy filaments that cover their bodies, giving them a cottony appearance. As they mature, they become less mobile. Mealybugs cannot digest all the sugar in the sap, and they excrete the excess in a fluid called honeydew, which coats the leaves and may drop onto surfaces below the plant.

Solution

Separate infested plants from those not affected. If only a few mealybugs are present, wipe them off with a damp cloth or cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol. Apply an insecticidal soap labeled for this pest.

Close

Scale Insects - Hedera (Ivy)

Image of Scale Insects - Hedera (Ivy)
Scale Insects
Description
Stems and leaves are covered with white, cottony, cushionlike masses; brown, crusty bumps; or clusters of somewhat flattened reddish, gray, or brown scaly bumps. These masses don''t move when touched. The bumps can be scraped off or picked off easily. Leaves turn yellow and may drop. A shiny or sticky material may cover the leaves and stems. Sooty mold may develop on the sticky substance.
Analysis

Several different types of scale insects attack ivy. Some types can infest many different plants. Scales hatch from eggs. The young, called crawlers, are small (about 1/10 inch) and soft bodied and move about on the plant and onto other plants. After moving about for a short time, they insert their mouthparts into the plant, feeding on the sap. The legs atrophy, and the scales remain in the same place for the rest of their lives. Some species of scales are unable to digest fully all the sugar in the plant sap, and they excrete the excess in a fluid called honeydew, which may cover the leaves or drop onto surfaces below.

Solution

Isolate infested plants as soon as scales are discovered. Remove as many scales as possible with a cloth or toothbrush dipped in soapy water. Spray plants with an insecticidal soap or a horticultural oil labeled for use indoors.

Close

Sooty Mold - Hedera (Ivy)

Image of Sooty Mold - Hedera (Ivy)
Sooty Mold
Description
A black, sooty mold grows on leaves and stems. It can be wiped off the leaves easily.
Analysis

This common black mold is one of several species of fungi. These fungi grow on the sugary material left on plants by aphids, mealybugs, scales, whiteflies, and other insects that suck sap from the plant. The insects are unable to digest all the sugar in the sap, and they excrete the excess in a fluid called honeydew, which coats the leaves. The honeydew may also drip from infested overhanging trees and shrubs onto ivy growing beneath them. Sooty mold is unsightly but is fairly harmless because it does not infect the leaf tissue. Extremely heavy infestations prevent light from reaching the leaf and may cause the leaf to turn yellow. The presence of sooty mold indicates that the ivy or another plant above it is infested with insects.

Solution

Rain will eventually wash off sooty mold. Plants can also be rinsed off with a solution of soapy water, using a mild soap. If only a few leaves are infested, just wipe off the mold with a wet rag. Prevent more sooty mold from growing by controlling the insect that is producing the honeydew. Inspect the leaves and stems of the ivy and plants growing in the area to determine what type of insect is present.

Close

Spider Mites - Hedera (Ivy)

Image of Spider Mites - Hedera (Ivy)
Spider Mites
Description
Leaves are stippled (spotted), yellowing, and dirty. Leaves may dry out and drop. There may be webbing between leaves or on the lower surfaces of leaves. To check for infestation, hold a sheet of white paper underneath an affected leaf and tap the leaf sharply. Minute specks the size of pepper grains will drop to the paper and begin to crawl around.
Analysis

These mites, related to spiders, are major pests of ivy. They cause damage by sucking sap from the undersides of leaves. As a result of their feeding, chlorophyll disappears, producing the stippled appearance. Spider mite webbing traps cast-off skins and debris, making the plant messy. Under warm, dry conditions, mites can build up to tremendous numbers.

Solution

Isolate infested plants from others. Take plants outside or into a shower and wash the mites off the leaves with a strong spray of water. Keep air around the ivy humid to help prevent infestation and proliferation.

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