How to effectively prevent and control pests on Schefflera
Variegated Schefflera is also called variegated Schefflera octophylla. Its plant is compact, the crown is neat, and the leaf surface is palm-shaped. It is an ornamental plant. So what should be done when Schefflera has pests? What fertilizer is suitable for Schefflera?
1. What to do when Schefflera has pests
1. Circular scale
When Schefflera is harmed by circular scale, households can choose a 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 of nymphs. During this period, spray 1000 times diluted 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate, once every week, for 2—3 consecutive times, which can effectively prevent the occurrence of pests.
2. Leafminer
When leafminers appear, they mainly chew the leaves, and in severe cases the leaves look like netting. When Schefflera is affected, a 3000-4000 times solution of decamethrin emulsifiable concentrate can be used for spraying to kill them. (Folin emulsifiable concentrate, fenpropathrin, 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 and diseases developing resistance.
3. Red spiders and thrips
Red spiders and thrips are also common pests on Schefflera. When they occur, a 3000 times solution of 10% dichlorophenyl ether pyrethrin emulsifiable concentrate can be used for spraying to kill them.
2. Fertilizers suitable for Schefflera
The fertilizers suitable for Schefflera are organic fertilizer and compound fertilizer. Schefflera is mainly grown for its foliage. In order to keep the leaves evergreen throughout the four seasons and the branches and leaves lush, nitrogen fertilizer is needed; in order to strengthen the root system and branches, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be supplemented appropriately; this plant grows relatively quickly, so the amount of nitrogen fertilizer should be controlled to avoid leggy growth. During the growing season, granular fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can be applied as a top dressing, and it needs to be diluted before application; diluted organic fertilizer can also be applied once every half month.