GROWING SHEFLERS IN HOME CONDITIONS

SHEFFLER – LANDING AND CARE AT HOME

I have always been attracted to the unusual leathery sheffler leaves, palm-like with outstretched fingers. And the plant itself is graceful - a kind of "umbrella tree". And when years 7-8 back I had variegated and green beauties, understood, that the plant is also unpretentious.

SHEFFLER – WINTER CARE

Some growers believe, that the sheffler needs a period of relative rest in winter. I provide mine with a lot of light all year round - eight LED bulbs long 120 cm in one room. Therefore, I do not even stop feeding, I only reduce it to once a month and make a weak fertilizer solution for decorative leafy species. the main thing, I place plants away from heating appliances, to slightly lower the temperature of the content. And although the shefflera loves sprinkling, pamper her, only when in the room above +26 city.

SHEFFLER – LANDING AND CARE AT HOME

SHEFFLER MY OBSERVATIONS

The plant normally tolerates temporary overdrying., however does not forgive the gulf.

Leaves may fall, if it's too hot or cold draft. The same happens from waterlogging..

If light spots appear on green leaf blades, then, probably, there is a lot of sun for the shefflers.

The variegated specimen needs more bright light., otherwise, new leaves will lose their characteristic color. Green - can grow in partial shade. With a lack of light, the stems are stretched.

Dry air turns leaf tips brown. Then I follow the regularity of watering and spray the space around the plant..

SHEFFLER – LANDING AND CARE AT HOME

Sheffler cuttings form well roots in water. Then I plant them in small pots in universal soil., the main thing, so that it is light and slightly acidic (pH approx 6). I transfer to a slightly larger container in the spring.

GROWING HOME SHEFFLERA - LANDING AND CARE, TIPS AND FEEDBACK

SECRETS OF CARE FOR SCHEFLERA

Schefflera with its large glossy leaves in the form of umbrellas will decorate any interior.. However, the popularity of the plant is not only in high decorativeness., but also in surprisingly simple content, durability, tolerance of lack of light and low humidity in rooms. It is considered a good air freshener, leaves release oxygen and absorb pollutants. What conditions and care do the sheffler need, biologist will tell, collector Natalia SEMENOVA (r. Moscow).

Scheffler – Photo

CUTTING AND FORMING SHEFFLERS

Schefflera prefers to grow with one stem up., without giving side branches. As it ages, the lower leaves fall off., baring the stem. To stimulate the development of side shoots, i in the spring cut off the top of the head to the desired height.

The plant tolerates the procedure well., but don't leave completely naked, without a single leaf on top, stem sections, they are prone to dry out.

A haircut will also be needed for specimens that are very elongated from lack of light.. Cut shoots can be rooted.

Liana-like tall stems usually need support.

MAIN PROBLEM

Out of trouble, that flower growers face when growing shefflers, the main one is root rotting from waterlogging, standing water in a pot. The plant will cope much better with a little overdrying., than with frequent watering. If there is any doubt, then you need to postpone the watering can for a few more days. Will not allow water to stagnate and allow air to freely approach the roots well-drained substrate. Signs of waterlogging: the appearance of brown spots on the leaves, their massive yellowing and fall.

SHEFFLER – MULTIPLE FAVORITE

I got a shefflera shank years 10 back (cover photo). When the plant was still small, pinched the top to form.

There is a beauty on the southwest window, sun almost all day, and she seems to like it.

I rarely water in winter., in summer - 1 – 2 once a week. Sometimes I feed with fertilizer for ornamental leaf species..

To propagate the plant, in the spring I cut cuttings from it, that quickly take root.

A few years ago, among the variegated twigs, it appeared with green foliage. At first I thought to separate it, so as not to drown out the variability, but then left, just cutting off the top. I still like this combination of flowers on one bush.

Zarina GIRFANOVA. Tatarstan

I heard, that sheffler can be propagated by seeds. Are there features?

Nadezhda RYKOVA. Samara region.

It is possible to propagate by seeds specific shefflers, and varietal ones are obtained only vegetatively - by cuttings or layering.

Seeds are sown in a shallow container, in pre-steamed, moderately moist peat and perlite substrate (1:1), to a depth of approximately 1 cm. Or one seed (which is preferable) in cups or peat/coconut tablets. Crops are covered with a film or use a greenhouse, to prevent rapid drying of the substrate. At a temperature of about +22-25 city, seedlings appear after 20-30 days.

At the end of Feral, I plan to prune the overgrown variegated sheffler. Is it possible to immediately plant shoots for rooting?

Svetlana LAPPO, r. Vitebsk

Escapes, like apical, as well as intermediate (length of cuttings - 12-20 cm), with few well developed leaves, can be planted for rooting immediately after pruning. Just keep in mind, that variegated varieties take root worse, than green. And those will give roots faster, taken from a healthy plant.

Renew the lower cuts if necessary with a clean, sharp blade., dip in "Kornevin" and land in loose soil. Keep in a greenhouse.

I want to cut a sheffler, but I'm afraid to cut off the crown.

Lilya Khamitova, r. Ufa

Instead of cuttings, you can try the method of air layering.

Choose a place on the stem, where would the cut of the cutting go, but you don't do it. Treat this area with dry "Kornevin", wrap with a wet sphagnum layer in 2-3 cm, then film. Mist the moss regularly.

After about 1-2 month can expect root growth in the wrapped area. After their formation, make a cross section below the strapping and plant the finished stalk in a small glass for growing in a greenhouse.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH SCHEFLERA?

Sheffler, although not a difficult plant to maintain, but in case of violation of agricultural technology, problems are possible.

Strong leaf fall - from waterlogging, hypothermia. But when the lower leaves gradually fall (average lifespan is approx. 3 years old) - this is normal.

Black spots on plates, their yellowing - with waterlogging.

Blackening of the entire foliage at the same time is the result of frostbite.

Small red-brown, sometimes convex spots on the leaves - from excessive lighting.

Large white spots on the side of the glass - sunburn.

From dry air and frequent dryness, the plant can attack the spider mite. A warm shower and acaricide treatments will help ("Nissoran", "Fitoverm", etc.). When a mealybug is found, scabbards, aphids treat the plant with a systemic insecticide ("Aktara", "Confidor" and others.).

By the way

Small light brown pimples along the stem - the beginnings of aerial roots - the norm for shefflers. But they should be distinguished from the shield. Try gently removing the bump with your fingernail. If easily separated without damaging the stem, then it is a pest.

SHEFFLER – LANDING AND CARE AT HOME – VIDEO

© Author: Olga MALYAR Photo by the author