How to water and fertilize Schefflera arboricola? How often is it suitable to water

When it comes to Schefflera arboricola, many people may not know what it is. In fact, Schefflera arboricola is a foliage plant. Although it can bloom, its leaves are more attractive, with emerald green color and a beautiful shape, and it can also absorb harmful gases and purify the air, making it very suitable for indoor cultivation. So do you know how to water and fertilize Schefflera arboricola?

How to water Schefflera arboricola (how often to water)

Schefflera arboricola itself has a certain tolerance for drought and moisture, but this is only relative. Compared with other flowering plants, its drought tolerance and moisture tolerance are both relatively high. When watering it, we should do so when the soil shows signs of drying out, and be careful not to water too much. In hot and dry summer, the watering frequency can be appropriately increased, because evaporation is greater at this time and will quickly evaporate excess water; watering more can let Schefflera arboricola grow better. Generally, a small amount of watering once a day is enough to keep the soil slightly moist. In spring and autumn, watering once or twice a week can meet its water needs.

How to fertilize Schefflera arboricola

When it comes to fertilizing, during the summer period when Schefflera arboricola grows relatively vigorously, fertilize about once every seven days. If you are growing a variegated variety of Schefflera arboricola, you should reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer; if too much nitrogen fertilizer is used, the variegated patches will gradually fade until they disappear. From April to September, Schefflera arboricola can be given a light fertilizer about once every 30 days, which can ensure what it needs for normal growth. The fertilizer for Schefflera arboricola should always be kept sufficient, so that its leaves will not drop.

When fertilizing, try to ensure sufficient nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium elements. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer used should be moderate, and it should not be too much or too little, otherwise it can easily cause Schefflera arboricola to grow unattractively. When choosing fertilizer, choose one with a suitable combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content. Using it together with soil containing humus can make Schefflera arboricola grow with lush branches and leaves, improving its ornamental appeal.

Pest and disease control for Schefflera arboricola

1. Schefflera arboricola round scale

Round scale is the main pest of Schefflera arboricola, and it can occur repeatedly 2~3 times indoors. Many plants are targets of its damage. It generally parasitizes on the underside of leaves, and in severe cases causes leaves to lose green color and drop, affecting ornamental value. Control methods are as follows:

Regularly observe the underside of leaves, and when pests are found, brush them off promptly. Be careful not to cause mechanical damage to the leaves, as this will worsen the pest damage.

When Schefflera arboricola is damaged by round scale, households can use soil-buried insecticide. Use 1 gram per pot, buried about 2 cm into the soil.

April—May and September—October are the peak hatching periods for nymphs. During this period, spray 1000 times diluted 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate, spraying once every week for 2—3 consecutive times, which can effectively prevent pest occurrence.

2. Schefflera arboricola leaf miner

When leaf miners appear, they mainly chew the leaves, and in severe cases the leaves look like mesh threads.

When Schefflera arboricola is affected, a 3000~4000 times solution of decis emulsifiable concentrate can be selected for spraying to kill them. (Fulin emulsifiable concentrate, fenvalerate, dimehypo aqueous solution, etc. can all be bought in flower markets.) When spraying for control, note that different types of chemicals should be applied in rotation to avoid pests developing resistance.

Reasons for yellowing and dropping leaves of Schefflera arboricola

1. Improper watering

To let Schefflera arboricola grow normally, controlling moisture is very important. Too little watering makes the potting soil too dry, causing Schefflera arboricola leaves to droop and fall. Too much watering makes the potting soil too wet, root respiration is blocked, root rot is likely, and leaves turn yellow and fall.

2. Unsuitable light

Schefflera arboricola is a shade-loving plant, and it is usually enough to keep it in a place with bright light for care. If placed in a darker place, it will affect the growth of Schefflera arboricola and cause leaves to turn yellow and fall. But too strong light is also one of the reasons for leaf drop. Schefflera arboricola is not suitable for growing under strong light, and even changing the environment needs to be done slowly. If it is suddenly moved from a place without sunlight to sunlight, leaf drop will become even more severe.

3. Improper fertilizing

Schefflera arboricola has a certain demand for fertilizer. Especially during the growth period, insufficient fertilizer will cause leaves to turn yellow and fall. If raw fertilizer or concentrated fertilizer is accidentally applied, causing root burn, leaf drop will also occur.

4. Pest and disease invasion

Schefflera arboricola is often invaded by diseases, such as leaf spot disease. When it occurs, brown spots appear on the leaves, and in severe cases yellow leaves and leaf drop occur.

As mentioned above, general foliage plants are very easy to grow, and Schefflera arboricola is no exception. It stays evergreen through all four seasons, and usually does not require much thought for care. Watering once or twice a week is even enough, making it especially suitable for lazy growers!