How to prune Schefflera arboricola? Learn the correct pruning method
Schefflera arboricola (dwarf umbrella tree) has an elegant plant shape and strong adaptability. It is an excellent potted foliage plant, and it can absorb harmful substances such as nicotine and formaldehyde, making it very suitable for growing in bedrooms, living rooms and other places. Below, let us take a look at the pruning methods for Schefflera arboricola.
Pruning methods for Schefflera arboricola
Pruning Schefflera arboricola should be combined with the season and its current growth stage.
Pruning of young Schefflera arboricola plants mainly involves thinning and light pruning, with the purpose of shaping the plant. During the seedling stage, you can leave about 30 cm and pinch off the growing tip; after the side buds grow out, leave three leaves at 15 to 20 cm and pinch off the growing tip again. When an old plant becomes too large, heavy pruning can be carried out for adjustment. For larger plants, repotting should be done before they are moved outdoors in spring, along with appropriate shaping and pruning.
If the lower leaves have all dropped off and it becomes a bare stem, cut it back by half from the top to encourage new shoots to sprout. The cut branches can also be used for cuttings, and after rooting they will become new plants. Young plants should be repotted every spring, and mature plants should be repotted about once every 2 years.
When pruning Schefflera arboricola, pay attention to the length of each branch to keep the plant shape round and neat. In addition, do not prune during the dormant period of Schefflera arboricola.
How to grow Schefflera arboricola
1. Soil: For the growing medium of Schefflera arboricola, use peat soil or leaf mold plus a little basic fertilizer or sandy soil, and it can be planted directly. This can ensure the air permeability and drainage of the soil.
2. Temperature: The most suitable temperature for growing Schefflera arboricola is 15-25°C. Once the temperature is below 5°C, leaf drop will occur, and attention should also be paid to ventilation at ordinary times.
3. Light: Schefflera arboricola is a semi-shade plant and tolerates shade. Be sure not to place it in direct sunlight. As a potted plant, it is enough to place it on a balcony or in a bright spot indoors.
4. Watering: The potting soil should be kept moist. Except in winter, do not water too much in the other seasons; watering once every three or four days is enough. In winter, watering should be appropriately reduced, and the water temperature is best similar to the soil temperature.
5. Fertilizing: In spring, summer and autumn, apply fertilizer to the potting soil every month. The fertilizer ratio is: nitrogen:phosphorus:potassium = 2:1:1 compound fertilizer.
6. Pests and diseases: The main diseases of Schefflera arboricola are leaf spot and anthracnose, which can be sprayed with fungicides. The main pest is scale insects, which can be killed by spraying omethoate emulsifiable concentrate.
Schefflera arboricola is a potted plant very suitable for indoor arrangement. Grown indoors, it has a strong contemporary feel. The price of Schefflera arboricola is related to the size of the plant, and the price also differs from region to region. For example, a 30-45 cm Schefflera arboricola is priced at 2.20 yuan. Of course, the Schefflera arboricola price information provided here is for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for purchase. If you want to buy one, it is best to check with your local flower and bird market.