I've also got an English ivy that has been massacred by spider mites on a number of occasions. I now have the bugs under control, but the plant continues to worsen by looking pale/yellow and losing more leaves. The top parts of the stems are completely bare. Should I completely prune back the plant and start from the beginning? Will new growth begin to form, or is it best to throw it out? Thanks as always!
Well...I vote for trying to save it. You must care about this plant---if you didn't, it would already be in the compost heap! Plants are surprising creatures. Give it a go. Why not? Yes, I would cut it back and await developments. I inherited a small English ivy from my daughter: nothing obviously wrong with it, but it had lost its joie de vivre. Limp, yellowish, sparse growth. I thought it was on its way out. Cut it way back and put it outside last spring...et voila! Wasn't long before it started putting out new growth, and now it's doing OK. In fact, I noted today that it needs to be put on my list for repotting. Perhaps yours might, as well...? Is it possible that whatever you are doing spider-mite-wise might be doing more harm than good? Review other factors too, such as light (enough? too much? not enough?), moisture (ditto), and temperature (same again). Good luck to you and the ivy. Let us know how it goes. (---and grows!)
Here's a picture of the plant in need. And another one to show that not all my plants are in such bad shape! I do have some what of a green thumb!
Very nice! Yes, you have some good looking plants. A coworker gave me a Vriesea"Tiffany" for Christmas, and I hope that I can help it grow to the size of your handsome bromeliad! I think you have a pretty good shot at the ivy rescue. Yes, I would certainly cut it back, and probably repot. A good look at the roots would not go amiss.---Is the location in the photo its usual home? Perhaps a bit more light would be beneficial. Air circulation can be a factor too. I know that the plants I winter over in a cubbyhole-like room in the basement seem to enjoy the gentle breeze from a small fan.
