A Detailed Guide to the Cultivation Methods and Effects of Schefflera arboricola
Schefflera arboricola has fairly strong vitality and is relatively easy and simple to grow. As long as you follow its growth habits and provide it with sufficient water and fertilizer, it will reward its owner with lush greenery. Let's take a look below at the cultivation methods and effects of Schefflera arboricola!
Cultivation Methods of Schefflera arboricola
1. Choosing soil. The potting soil for Schefflera arboricola can be a mix of peat soil, leaf mold, about 1/3 perlite and a small amount of base fertilizer, or fine sandy soil can also be used for potting.
2. Providing light. When grown indoors, Schefflera arboricola can grow well if it receives about 4 hours of direct sunlight each day, and in a bright room it can be enjoyed for a fairly long period.
3. Maintaining moisture. The amount of watering varies with the season. In summer it needs more water, so water once a day to keep the potting soil moist; in spring and autumn, water once every 3-4 days. If there is too much water or waterlogging, it can easily cause root rot.
4. Reasonable fertilizing. During the summer growing period, fertilize once a week; a granular fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can be applied after loosening the soil. Note that for variegated varieties, less nitrogen fertilizer should be applied, because too much nitrogen will cause the variegated patches to gradually fade and turn green.
5. Disease and pest control: Schefflera arboricola is prone to anthracnose and leaf spot disease. In terms of pests, it is also susceptible to damage from leaf miners, red spider mites, scale insects, thrips and so on, so control measures need to be strengthened, and some pesticide can be sprayed when necessary.
The Effects of Schefflera arboricola
1. The leaves of Schefflera arboricola are palmate, and its white flowers give off a faint, delicate fragrance. Schefflera arboricola has excellent ornamental value.
2. Besides its ornamental value, Schefflera arboricola can also be soaked in medicinal liquor, or boiled in water and taken, and it can clear heat and detoxify, invigorate the blood and remove dampness.
3. The leaves of Schefflera arboricola can be applied externally to stop bleeding, and its stems and leaves can also relieve a certain amount of pain.
4. Mix Schefflera arboricola with other plants, for example with the leaves of Ixora chinensis, mash them, stir-fry them in liquor, and apply to rheumatic joints; this can prevent and relieve rheumatic joint pain and so on.
Finally, let's take a detailed look at the medicinal value of Schefflera arboricola.
1. Treating traumatic injuries: Take four or five kinds of herbs such as Schefflera arboricola leaves, mugwort, Eupatorium japonicum, white-flowered Leonurus, Sambucus javanica, Crinum asiaticum, wild grape and Moghania philippinensis, mash them, add liquor, massage and apply externally to the affected area, twice a day, to reduce inflammation, swelling and pain.
2. Treating gonorrhea: Use Schefflera arboricola leaves, Mesona chinensis, sow thistle, kohlrabi, Houttuynia cordata, cucumber and Zehneria japonica, add fruits such as watermelon, pineapple, star fruit and orange, and take it as a vitality soup.
3. Treating lung abscess and pulmonary empyema: Use several kinds of ingredients such as Schefflera arboricola root, wild grape, Trachelospermum jasminoides, Ixora, Glechoma hederacea, goosegrass, Lysimachia nummularia and Houttuynia cordata, and take it decocted in half liquor and half water.
4. At present, the preparations used clinically include Schefflera arboricola injection, which is suitable for treating traumatic injuries, rheumatic joint pain, pain from gastric and duodenal ulcers, trigeminal neuralgia, postoperative pain and so on; Schefflera arboricola tincture is used to treat stomach pain, traumatic fractures and external injury pain.
It can thus be seen that the medicinal value of Schefflera arboricola should not be underestimated. In daily life, if a family member accidentally falls and causes swelling and pain in some part of the body, the most convenient and easy measure at that time is to pick Schefflera arboricola leaves, mash them and apply them externally, so as to promptly reduce inflammation and swelling.