Schefflera problem
Ivana B
2 years ago
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Ivana B
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Schefflera problem
Comments (2)Indiebookman, Thanks for the tip. I have noticed some little critters, don't know the real name for them but when we were kid we called them potato bugs, little scaled things that make your think of an armadillo. Not sure if that is the source. I have been picking them out. The seem to come out of the soil when I water. I am also noticing little spots of a chaulky substance on the leaves in places....See MoreSchefflera house plant dying - what to do??
Comments (77)Nothing TO do other than turning things over to the Dept of Patience. One important reminder is to be extremely careful not to over-water. Use a wood dowel as a 'tell'. The wooden stick (bottom row of tools and toward the right) is something I use as a root pic, but it's almost exactly what you would use as a 'tell', only difference being your tell would be 24" long and sharpened at both ends. Use a 48" x 1/4 or5/16" birch dowel rod from a hardware or home improvement store. Cut it in half and sharpen all 4 ends in a pencil sharpener. Push the dowel deep into the pot (as in all the way to the bottom), then remove it. If it comes out moist or stained dark by the soil, withhold water. You can also use a bamboo skewer in a pinch, but the dowel is better. If the plant is going to live, you should see signs of back-budding inside of 2-3 weeks, but it might take longer. I've worked with temperate plants I thought were dead go a full summer with no signs of life, only to wake up the next spring and grow like nothing was wrong. Some of the tools I use for repotting ^^^. Al...See MoreAmate Schefflera - help problems and growth
Comments (6)Hi Lorra. You asked if one branch would yellow due to over-watering. Usually, yellowing or browning starts somewhere, but you are right, leaves yellow on all parts of a plant.. Is it possible the branch cracked or damaged? Cracking would be a simple solution..all you'd have to do is remove it. But of course, things aren't always simple. :) So, your Scheff is in two pots..Exterior and interior. I used to work at a plant store. We'd get plants/trees in two pots. To keep a plant/roots from sitting in water, we'd set a sheet of styrofoam inside the exterior pot, then set the interior pot on the styrofoam. Sometimes two or three sheets were needed. A 24" pot is large. The first few inches/top of soil dries, 'sometimes within a couple days.' But the center and bottom 'soil' can be soaked. The best way to test for moisture is by inserting a thin stake/stick deep into the soil. If the stake comes out wet/muddy, mid to lower soil is wet..if it comes out dry, it's time for a drink. Have you ever baked a cake? Same concept. The instructions suggest sticking a tooth pick in the cake to tell if it's done. If the tooth pick comes out clean, the cake is ready, if moist, bake longer. The same applies to soil. Because a 24" pot is deep, finger testing isn't adequate. A long stake is needed. So, even if the soil is dry on top, test before adding more water. Watering by schedule is a no-no. Homes differ..Temps, humidity, sun, plus soil and pot material. Since Amate doesn't like wet feet, water when stake comes out clean/dry. When you do water, soak the entire root ball. Check soil with stake about 10 days after watering. If it's wet, wait a few more days and retest. Continue testing until the stake comes out clean/free of soil. It was a very good idea you inserted your finger in the drainage holes. That had to be fun tilting such a big pot. :) Since it's w/o insects, it's possible your Amate was over-watered. For the time being, I'd test before watering, and see how it does. Do you know if fertilizer was added? Do you see small balls or pellets in the soil? Eventually, you should add a balanced or All Purpose Fertilizer. Once a month is fine. Read dossage before adding..I use half-strength. As for the lighter leaves, time will tell. As long as your Scheff is getting sufficient light, it should do fine. Hopefully, the leaves will darken in color. Supposedly, Amate has naturally shiny leaves. Like watering, growing rate depends on light conditions, and a few other factors. As long as its container isn't too large, (two sizes bigger than the rootball) it should produce new growth. Most indoor/potted plants, grow at a slower pace than those in the ground. Depends on its environment. This is optional, Lorra. I'm a firm believer in misting leaves. Especially during winter months. It's your choice, but spraying keeps leaves clean, unclogs pores from dust particles, lessens insect infestation and helps, somewhat, with humidity. A humidifer can't be beat, but misting/showering perks up plants. I really hope your Scheff is okay. The Amate is one of the prettieist Scheffleras around. Wish I can be more help. Toni...See MoreSchefflera (arboricola?) problems
Comments (4)The best media are those you can water to beyond saturation w/o having to worry your soil will remain soggy so long it affects root function/health. I use this as my soil, and nothing more than Foliage-Pro 9-3-6 as a fertilizer. I have no trouble, after a little pinching, growing attractive and healthy plants: My impression is, you're going to much more trouble than what's required to grow consistently healthy plants. If by chance it's not an over-watering issue, the problem probably lies in some of the other ministrations you described. If you can get your plants in a soil you can water appropriately, and provide favorable light/temps for your plants, fertilizing and just maintaining plants in a state of good vitality suddenly becomes MUCH easier. Al...See MoreTiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
2 years agoIvana B
2 years agoTiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
2 years agoIvana B
2 years agoTiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
2 years agoIvana B
2 years agoTiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
2 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years agotapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
2 years ago
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