Dwarf Umbrella Tree (Schefflera) Cutting Propagation Methods and Daily Care Tips
The dwarf umbrella tree (Schefflera) is a very common green plant, also known as the octopus tree, and it can bring fresh air to households with smokers. Its umbrella-shaped leaves can absorb nicotine and other harmful substances from smoke-filled air, and through photosynthesis convert them into harmless substances of the plant's own. Its main method of propagation is through cuttings.
Dwarf Umbrella Tree Cutting Propagation Methods
1. Soil cuttings: In combination with repotting, heavy pruning in spring, or before buds sprout in early spring, cut 1-year-old branches 10-15 cm long as cutting material. Remove the lower leaves, keep 3-4 leaves at the top, and cut the bottom end into a slanted surface.
First use a small wooden stick to poke small holes in the substrate, then insert 2/3 of the cutting into a pot with perlite (or sifted, clean fine river sand) as the substrate, with a single plant or 3 plants per pot. After inserting, spray water to keep moist, place in a low-light spot indoors, spray water once a day on sunny days, and adjust according to specific conditions on cloudy and rainy days. Keep the room temperature at 15-25°C; roots can form 1.5 months after cutting. 15-30 days after rooting, transplant into a pot with a substrate mixed evenly from 5 parts garden soil, 3 parts humus soil, and 2 parts fine sand, water thoroughly, place in partial shade, and move to normal light after 1 week.
2. Water cuttings: Use a mineral water bottle or glass cup, tall glass bottle, or canning jar, rinse clean, and use as a container. Cut the lower end of the cut 8 cm cutting into a flat opening, keeping only 3-4 leaves at the top. After filling the container with clean water, insert the cutting into the container and suspend it in the water so it cannot touch the container wall or bottom. The number of cuttings depends on the size of the container. Cover the cutting with a transparent plastic bag, place in diffused light, and keep the room temperature at 15-25°C. When white roots 1-2 cm long grow from the bottom of the cutting, remove it and pot it up; the transplanting method is the same as above. It can also be moved into a more attractive glass container or transparent plastic container for hydroponic culture.
3. Full-light mist cuttings: Use plastic film or a small glass greenhouse to create a small high-humidity environment, so that Schefflera can propagate quickly under high temperature and high humidity conditions. First lay a layer of bricks on the bottom of the cutting bed, then spread a 30 cm thick layer of sterilized plain sandy soil on top, and select 8 cm young shoots grown in the current year as cuttings; the treatment of the cuttings is the same as above. Insert 2/3 of the cutting into the plain sandy soil, and spray mist after inserting. Keep the room temperature at 15-25°C, and spray water on the leaves once a day. It can be transplanted once roots form, with the same method as above.
4. Air layering: From April to June, select 2-year-old branches, girdle the bark with a width of 1 cm, mix 1 part wet sphagnum moss or coniferous soil with 1 part garden soil, wrap it around the wound, and tie both ends tightly with plastic film. On sunny days, use a syringe to water every day to maintain the humidity of the substrate. After rooting, cut it off from the connection with the mother plant and transplant it; the method is the same as above.
How to Grow the Dwarf Umbrella Tree
1. This plant likes a semi-shady environment; never place it in a dark place, especially in winter, when insufficient sunlight plus overly frequent watering can very easily cause large areas of yellowing leaves and leaf drop.
2. It has relatively strong drought tolerance; watering once every 10 days is best. Watering too frequently can very easily cause large areas of leaf drop and breed many pests and diseases, with many aphids appearing on the undersides of the leaves.
3. It has poor cold tolerance; the indoor temperature in winter should not be lower than 15°C, otherwise the entire pot of plants will be damaged by cold, and it will be very difficult for them to revive.
4. Do not fertilize randomly; it can very easily cause large areas of soil hardening.
Medicinal Value of the Dwarf Umbrella Tree
The dwarf umbrella tree is used medicinally with its root bark, roots, and leaves. It can be collected throughout the year; wash the roots and root bark, slice them, and dry them in the sun for later use. The leaves are used fresh.
Effects: clearing heat and detoxifying, relieving itching, reducing swelling and dispersing blood stasis. Root bark: cold and fever, sore and swollen throat, rheumatic bone pain, traumatic injuries; leaves: for external use to treat allergic dermatitis and eczema.
Can the Dwarf Umbrella Tree Be Grown Indoors
The sap of the dwarf umbrella tree is slightly toxic. Apart from this point, the leaves of the dwarf umbrella tree are still greatly beneficial; its leaves can absorb harmful substances in smoke, purify indoor air, and help households with smokers reduce harm. It can also reduce indoor formaldehyde concentration, which is beneficial to human health.
The dwarf umbrella tree grows relatively independently and does not require a large amount of energy and time to care for. It has strong vitality, so growing the dwarf umbrella tree saves effort and money.
Because its sap is not very toxic, it can be grown indoors, but attention should be paid to children, not letting them accidentally eat it or bite and play with it. Once these points are taken care of, it can be grown indoors with peace of mind.
The dwarf umbrella tree also has great ornamental value and is suitable for placement in a hall or indoor living room to beautify the space. Therefore, it has become a common indoor green plant. To grow the dwarf umbrella tree well, one still needs to fully understand its growth habits. When growing plants, one should also pay attention to the toxicity of this plant and prevent children from accidentally eating it.