Most municipal water sources deliver high pH water (above 7). It's the pH of the solution that affects nutrients, not the pH of the media itself. The media pH only matters if it is capable of altering the pH of the water. Turface can't as it is chemically inert, but the bark can. If you aren't seeing any problems with the water I wouldn't worry about it. If you are seeing problems then add vinegar routinely. The only thing I worry about are blueberries, but you have some plants that I don't. I don't know how quickly the media pH will be changed as it isn't just about pH. I can tell you that my own water which is 7.5 and very hard changes the pH of my blueberry soil (the ground) within a year. It overwhelms the sulfur I add and then raises pH even higher. I have to use vinegar with those.

It looks more like the heftier Schefflera puekleri (formerly Tupidanthus calyptratus). Could be that it does need more light but I'm thinking that a warmer temp might also make it sit up better. Joe

I second the suggestion to have the lady check with your local extension agent. After she calls and finds out where the office is, she can take samples in to the office. If she has a digital camera, she can send in photos, although seeing the physical subject is better. Oddly enough, the symptoms caused by over watering and those caused by under watering are almost the same. While CMs can take quite a bit of dryness, if you are in the same drought conditions that I am in, it may need more water after 2 years of stress/lack of water. Suggest that she dig down in the root area at least 4", and see if it is damp or dry, and treat it accordingly.

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