Fatshedera, sometimes called tree ivy, is a plant of hybrid origin, resulting from a cross between Fatsia japonica, a small native Japanese tree, and our familiar English ivy, Hedera helix.
A handsome upright ivy, which lends itself graciously to home decoration, is available in many greenhouses and florists’ shops throughout the country.
Offered for the most part in small sizes, its possibilities are often overlooked.
Growing Fatshedera with Palm Posts
A single young plant is less attractive than four small tree ivies arranged around a 30-inch palm post in an eight-inch pot.
Palm posts, or totem poles, which are cut square, do not shed like the sphagnum posts and combine a pleasing rough-textured surface with strength and durability.
Arranging and Maintaining the Stems of Fatshedera
If too much post shows at first, it will be apparent soon that the ivies need the height provided, for they are too heavy-stemmed to be trained round and round. Instead, they must be allowed to grow upright.
The stems may be stapled to the post with the long staples used by florists, but common green twine is held easily by the rough post and permits better and looser arrangement and rearrangement.
When the plants reach the top, they may grow for some time without any other support.
Characteristics of Fatshedera Leaves
The leaves of fatshedera are almost as large as those of maple. They are five-lobed, deeply indented, with a prominent midvein to each lobe.
Spaced closely on the stem, they make for compact growth and often attain a width of 5” or 6” inches on plants 12” or 14” inches tall.
Pest Control for Tree Ivy
Tree ivy does not seem to harbor insect pests as much as other ivies, but it should be inspected occasionally.
Spraying with a hand spray on both sides of the leaves keeps foliage free of dust and often dislodges pests.
Plant Care: Watering and Sunlight
Usual house temperatures are satisfactory, and some sunlight is desirable, but never the protracted glare of hot sun, which causes wilting or spotting and burning of the handsome foliage.
Wilting may be caused, too, by lack of moisture, especially if the plant is large. Ivies do not like to dry out, and tree ivy is unhappy if the roots are not kept moist at all times.
As soon as the soil appears to be drying, water thoroughly, then leave alone until the top soil begins to dry.
Preventing Waterlogging in Tree Ivy
If planting is done in a decorative container with no drainage, place several large lumps of charcoal in the bottom and water with extreme care, as “wet feet” are tolerated no better by tree ivy than any other plant unable to stand water soaking.
The proper amount of water for a container without a drainage hole may be determined by filling an ordinary clay pot of that size with soil and watering with one cup of water at a time until water appears from the hole.
Keep count of the number of cups of water and subtract from the amount which drained.
44659 by Edith Saylor Abbott