Ivy

The cultivation, reproduction and use of useful properties of ivy

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Botanical characteristics of ivy

Ivy – an evergreen plant, lianovidny, belonging to the family Araliaceae. With the help of his strong and tenacious roots-suckers ivy climbs trees, pipes, fences and poles. The long ivy a thicker trunk than those that don't climb to a height of 20 meters. In the forests you can see the Mat of ivy on the ground.

The leaves of the plant often have a base heart-shaped, alternate, dense dark green color. The ivy flowers are inconspicuous, greenish-yellow, collected in umbrellas. The ivy flowers are both unisexual and bisexual. Male and bisexual flowers have 5 stamens, while female flowers is the pistil 5-10-alopecia ovary. The fruit of the ivy in size similar to a pea. Flowering plant in the fall.

Wild ivy can be seen in Eurasia. In Western Europe, the ivy is found in the trees and on the ground in light and riparian forests. On rocks and rocky precipices ivy also grows well. In Russia, the ivy grow, and in the wild will not see it. For growing choose parks, gardens, courtyards and even use ivy as houseplants.

Reproduction of ivy

Ivy is propagated by cuttings, shoots and cuttings. Propagated by cuttings plant as follows: cut off the cuttings they need to plant in pots for 2-3 units on top of them covered with foil. For planting cuttings you must first prepare the soil, and to mix the sand with leafy ground. Best rooted cuttings with air roots.

Reproduction of ivy cuttings. For this method you need to take long shoots down to make cuts and primepay them to the ground using special brackets. When plants are rooted, they carefully and slowly you need to separate and replant separately.

Propagation by shoots. Take the escape, which has 8-10 leaves, and put it on the sand. Now put it inside the sand with indentations caused. The surface needs to be only leaves. 10 days later on the stem where buds of aerial roots, there will be underground roots. Now escape need to get out of the sand and cut so that each cutting had a leaf and roots. The cuttings can not stand in water until the appearance of roots, for this you just need to handle them with a special powder. When the cuttings are rooted, they are planted in the prepared pot or ground.

The cultivation of ivy

Soil when growing this low-maintenance plants need to constantly moisturize. In the summer watering should be abundant in winter is moderate. Ivy perfectly responds to frequent spraying. This plantprefers fertile soil. Ivy responsive to feeding of any kind. The ends of the shoots should be periodically pinch back – this will give the plant density of foliage and more decorative.

Transplant the ivy once in two years in a pot whose diameter is greater than the previous. For better development and growth of the plant must be grown in a bright and Sunny place.

Ivy, though rarely, but still exposed to various diseases and pests. If the room is warm, then the plant is affected by scale insects. In this case, the damaged stems should be cut and the plant to be moved to a cooler place. If you notice that the ivy leaves turned yellow and fall off, it indicates lack of moisture.

Useful properties of ivy

Ivy has antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used as astringent, emetic, laxative. Alcoholate ivy is used to lower blood pressure and wart removal. A decoction prepared from this plant helps to cure coughing and get rid of headaches. Due to the fact that drugs based on plants have hemolytic properties, ivy is taken for the maintenance of tone in all vessels of the body.

In the plant contain organic acids, iodine, glycosides, due to which the ivy is used as a tonic.

The use of ivy

Even in ancient times, the ivy was used in folk medicine. On the basis of this plant is prepared the drugs used in children's cough and whooping cough, bronchitis and asthma. The ivy is used in diseases of the respiratory tract and inflammation of the bronchi chronic in nature. Ivy contains a large amount of iodine, so it is used for hyperthyroidism.

Preparations of ivy helps with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gout and rheumatism. Infusion and tincture of ivy are used in catarrh of various kinds. Ivy used externally – as a means to wash in the presence of skin diseases.

The ivy decoction in skin diseases. For its preparation you need to take 1 tablespoon of crushed ivy leaves and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Put everything in a water bath for half an hour. Removing the composition from the water bath, take cheesecloth, fold it in 3 layers and filter tool. The resulting broth is adjusted to the original volume with boiled water. Takethis medicine three times a day for 1 tablespoon. The same decoction can be used to wash.

Broth with rickets. 1 teaspoon of leaves of plants pour 400 ml of cold boiled water and insist 1 hour. After straining the decoction is taken 4 times a day for a quarter Cup.

Ivy the flu. For preparing this medicine need to take a fresh ivy leaves, squeeze the juice from them and connect it with the same amount of garlic juice. This juice should drip into the nose and nasopharynx. The same drug can be used in the presence of chronic pain in the head.

Ivy sore throat. You need to take 10 grams of leaves of the plant and boil them in old wine and add a pinch of salt. Finished a little hot broth to rinse a sore throat.

Contraindications to the use of ivy

Ivy should only be applied in moderate doses, otherwise excessive dose will lead to poisoning. Some people on this plant can appear allergic.