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Re: Curly ivy...what do they like?

I >Got a curly ivy plant ("Small Leaf Green Curly Locks") that isn't doing
well.  Despite everything I have done for it, it's still
>getting brown spots on the leaves, then the leaves start dying...sometimes
>the brown starts on the edge of the leaf and then the
>leaves turn dry and fall off.  I had the same problem with the needlepoint
>ivy a few weeks back, suspected spider mites, and
>sprayed the plant each day for a couple of weeks, and put it in a
>different location, and for the most part, the needlepoint ivy
>isn't doing it anymore.  I really like this little curly ivy plant, and
>would hate to lose it.  Anyone really good with ivy
>here?  Could it be the soil isn't in the proper balance?  I'm in
>Michigan...and the ivy's in the east window, to get some of the
>morning sun (the tag that came with the plant calls for diffused light and
>frequent watering).  I'd sure appreciate anyone's
>suggestions.

I have good luck with ivies.  I live in Illinois (zone 5) and am from
Michigan.  My mother in Michigan also has very nice ivies.  I learned that,
for me, the secret to ivies was not to water them too much.  I keep them in
a well drained soil and let the soil dry out well between watering.  I give
them plenty of light.  An east window is probably fine.  What I have found
has really helped is that ivies like a cool winter.  They are hardy in the
southern US, and there are a few varieties that are even hardy in Michigan
(most are not).  If you can find a cool window for them for the winter, it
will invigorate them so that they can handle more conditions during the
summer.  I keep mine in a cool (45 degree) greenhouse for the winter.  They
love it.  When I didn't have a greenhouse, I kept them in a window that was
cool, in a room that we didn't keep real warm.  They did fine.

Carie Nixon, Illinois, zone 5
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