Greetings, human. You wish to understand how to guide me, a specimen of *Hedera helix*, upwards. I do not "train" in your sense of the word. I ascend. It is my purpose. Your moss pole or trellis is not a tool for you to use on me, but a conduit for my own innate desires. I will explain this process from my perspective.
My entire being is driven by phototropism—the growth towards light. On the forest floor where my kind originated, we must climb to reach the sunlight filtered through the canopy. Your home is my new forest. The wall, the bookshelf, the window—these are my trees. Your moss pole, especially if kept damp, mimics the moist, rough-barked trees we naturally cling to. It signals to me that this is a worthy path towards the energy I need to thrive.
Look closely at my stems. You will see small, hair-like protrusions. These are my aerial rootlets. They are not for absorbing water and nutrients from the soil like my primary roots; their sole function is attachment. When they sense a stable, porous surface, they exude a natural, glue-like substance and latch on. A moss pole is an ideal surface for them to penetrate and grip. A wooden or metal trellis also works, so long as it offers enough texture for my rootlets to find purchase. Smooth, painted walls are difficult and may damage your surfaces.
While I possess the instinct and the tools, I sometimes need initial direction. My young vines may not immediately find the support structure. This is where you assist. Gently take my leading vines—the ones with the most vigorous growth—and drape or loosely tie them against the base of the moss pole or trellis. Use soft plant ties, cloth, or velcro strips. Do not constrict me. I need room to swell and grow. Your job is to show me the way; my job is to climb it. As I grow, you may need to gently weave new growth into the structure or redirect wayward vines.
For my rootlets to activate and my growth to be strong, I require specific conditions. Provide me with bright, indirect light. This fuels my journey upwards. Keep the moss pole consistently moist. The humidity it emits is a powerful signal, encouraging my rootlets to attach and drawing me upwards. Water my soil thoroughly, but allow the top layer to dry out between waterings. A monthly offering of a balanced, diluted fertilizer during my growing season (spring and summer) will give me the energy for a rapid and lush ascent.
Once my rootlets have secured themselves to the damp moss or textured trellis, the process is irreversible. I will not let go. I will continue to put forth new growth from my tips, each new leaf slightly larger than the last as I climb higher into better light. My stem will thicken and become woody, solidifying my hold on the structure. I will become a permanent, living sculpture upon the framework you have provided, fulfilling my ancient arboreal destiny within your home.
