Schefflera is a great helper in home life
Large potted Schefflera plants, placed in living rooms, studies and bedrooms, have a strong modern feel, present a natural and harmonious green environment, and can bring fresh air to households with smokers. In spring, summer and autumn, they can also be placed in shaded courtyard areas and on building balconies for viewing. How do you grow Schefflera? And what role does it play in home life?
I. How to grow Schefflera
1. Cutting propagation: carried out from April to September. Cut 1-year-old terminal branches, 8-10 cm long, remove the lower leaves, insert them in a sand bed, keep moist, at a room temperature of about 25°C; roots can form 30-40 days after insertion.
2. Seed propagation: indoor pot sowing in April-May, optimum germination temperature 20-25°C, keep the potting soil moist, germination occurs 15-20 days after sowing. When seedlings are 5-8 cm tall, transplant into 4 cm pots.
3. For potted Schefflera, 15-20 cm pots are commonly used, with plenty of broken tiles or crushed bricks placed at the bottom of the pot to aid drainage. In summer, shade with a 70% shade net is needed; in winter, no shading is needed. When leggy shoots sprout, pay attention to shaping and pruning. For young plants, thin out and lightly prune, mainly for shaping. Schefflera is mainly harmed by leaf spot and anthracnose, which can be controlled by spraying with a 1000-fold dilution of 10% antibacterial agent 401 acetic acid solution. The main pest is scale insects, which can be killed by spraying with a 1000-fold dilution of 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate. For home propagation of Schefflera, substrate propagation and rapid propagation are used. The best time for cuttings is late spring and early summer; the general room temperature is 15°C at night and about 25°C during the day, which is the most suitable growth temperature for Schefflera after cuttings.
4. From mother plants that have grown for several years, cut 6-8 cm 1-year-old branches, or combine this with repotting and heavy spring pruning and use the cut branches as cutting material. Insert 3 plants per pot or a single plant; roots can form about 1.5 months after cutting, and water should be applied frequently after insertion to keep moist. After insertion, place in a low-light spot indoors, strengthen fertilizer and water management, and after rooting, apply nutrient solution; replenish the liquid once a week in the pot, 100 ml each time.
II. The role of Schefflera in the home
1. Schefflera brings fresh air to households with smokers. Its beautiful umbrella-like 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, thus purifying the air.
2. In addition, Schefflera can reduce formaldehyde concentration by about 9 mg per hour. Schefflera does not have high requirements for the growing environment, making it very suitable for inexperienced growers. If the tender branches near the buds are pruned off, it can grow to 3 m tall and is very beautiful and dense. Larger Schefflera plants need to be reinforced with bamboo poles.
3. Schefflera is slightly sweet and bitter, warm. It can dispel wind and remove dampness, and relieve pain. It mainly treats bruises, rheumatic joint pain, stomach pain, colds, dermatitis and eczema. It can also treat external bleeding, influenza and other conditions. Schefflera is a green plant; placing it at home can green the environment, relax the eyes and protect eyesight. Placing Schefflera beside a computer desk can also absorb radiation and protect family health.