Schefflera (Umbrella Tree) Growing Methods and Precautions Explained in Detail

Schefflera can be grown in a mix of peat soil and leaf mold, with 1/3 perlite and base fertilizer added. About 4 hours of direct sunlight per day will speed up its growth, and it is a plant that can be enjoyed for the long term.

In spring, summer and autumn, water once every 3-4 days, but not too much water, otherwise the roots will become waterlogged and rot. During the summer growing season, fertilize once a week as appropriate, using a mixed fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Every spring, before the new buds of Schefflera sprout, repot it, remove the old soil and replace it with new soil. If the plant is a many-year-old specimen, it needs timely pruning or repotting during cultivation. Normally, because Schefflera grows slowly, it also needs regular shaping and pruning.

Schefflera Growing Methods

First, Soil

For growing Schefflera, choose deep, loose and fertile soil. For pot cultivation, you can generally use leaf mold or peat soil and garden soil mixed evenly with about 1/4 river sand or perlite; to make it more fertile, add a small amount of cake fertilizer powder as base fertilizer.

Second, Watering

In spring, summer and autumn, water once every 3-4 days, but not too much water, to avoid waterlogged roots and rot.

Third, Fertilizing

During the summer growing season, fertilize once a week, using a mixed fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Every spring, before the new buds of Schefflera sprout, repot it, remove the old soil and replace it with new soil. If the plant is a many-year-old specimen, it needs timely pruning or repotting.

Fourth, Sunlight

Schefflera likes semi-shade and is best kept in bright, indirect light. When the light is suitable, the leaves are glossy green and vivid, and it can be enjoyed for a relatively long time. In winter, it can be moved near a south-facing window so it receives more sunlight and keeps its leaves glossy. Every spring and autumn, it is best to move the pot outdoors to a well-ventilated environment with appropriate light for a period of time, but during outdoor care you must avoid direct sun exposure, otherwise the leaves easily turn yellow and wither.

Fifth, Temperature

Schefflera is not cold-tolerant; in winter the room temperature must be kept above 10°C. If the room temperature stays below 8°C for a long time, the leaves will gradually turn yellow and wither, and if the temperature drops below 0°C, the leaves will fall off and the stems and branches will dry up and die. Therefore, maintaining a suitable temperature in winter is very important.

Sixth, Pests and Diseases

The main diseases are leaf spot and anthracnose, which can be controlled by spraying a 1000-fold dilution of 10% antiseptic 401 acetic acid solution. The main pest is scale insects, which can be killed by spraying a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate. In addition, red spider mites, thrips and leaf miners easily damage Schefflera leaves, and can be killed by spraying a 3000-fold dilution of 10% permethrin emulsifiable concentrate.

Seventh, Pruning

Schefflera easily produces leggy shoots, so mature plants need frequent pruning to keep a neat and attractive shape. For perennial old branches, if the plant grows too large, you can combine repotting with heavy pruning before new buds sprout each year, cutting off the upper branches and leaves and some old roots.

Eighth, Propagation

1. Cutting propagation: carried out from April to September. Cut 1-year-old terminal branches about 8-10 cm long, remove the lower leaves, insert them into a sand bed, keep it moist, and maintain a room temperature of about 25°C; they can root 30-40 days after insertion.

2. Seed propagation: sow indoors in pots from April to May. The suitable germination temperature is 20-25°C. Keep the potting soil moist, and germination occurs 15-20 days after sowing. When the seedlings are 5-8 cm tall, transplant them into 4 cm pots.

Schefflera Growing Methods and the Flower Language of Schefflera

Schefflera is also known as umbrella tree and goose-foot tree. Today the editor will share with you the growing methods of Schefflera and knowledge about its flower language.

Schefflera Growing Methods:

1. Soil: For the soil, use peat soil; leaf mold with a little base fertilizer or sandy soil can also be used for cultivation. Make sure the soil has good air permeability and drainage.

2. Temperature: The general growing temperature for Schefflera is 15-25°C. Below 5°C it will drop its leaves, so pay attention to ventilation at ordinary times.

3. Light: Schefflera is a semi-shade plant; four hours of direct sunlight per day is enough, and it must not be exposed to harsh sun.

4. Watering: In spring, summer and autumn, water roughly once every 3-4 days, but do not water too much; if water accumulates, the roots will rot, yet the soil should still be kept moist. Reduce watering in winter, and the water temperature is best close to that of the soil.

5. Fertilizing: Schefflera is mainly given a mixed fertilizer of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. For variegated varieties, if there is too much nitrogen fertilizer and the light is weak, the patches on the leaves will become less obvious.

6. Pruning: Schefflera generally does not need pruning. If leaves fall off and the lower branches become bare, you can cut off the upper part to encourage new branches to sprout. The cut parts can also be re-inserted for cuttings.

The Flower Language of Schefflera:

Schefflera is also called goose-foot tree. It got this name because the shape of the goose-foot tree's leaves when reversed looks like a goose's foot. The flower language of the goose-foot tree is: nature and harmony. This is because the goose-foot tree has tenacious growth power and strong adaptability. It has the atmosphere of a tropical jungle, presenting a luxurious and magnificent scene, giving people a feeling of prosperity and new life on earth, and making life become optimistic and uplifting.