How sheflera blooms at home. Schefflera - planting and care at home. Schefflera in winter

Signs according to the state of the flower

Schefflera is an excellent predictor, and if you take a good look at her condition, you can protect yourself from troubles and troubles.

Leaves change color and become covered with dark spots. This means that a lot of bad energy has accumulated in the house, which leads to quarrels, conflicts and disagreements. You need to try to extinguish the negativity in yourself, and also take a closer look at your surroundings - perhaps someone is trying to put the evil eye on you or cause damage.

The leaves began to fall. This sign indicates possible losses - financial or emotional. According to some signs, this means the illness or death of a loved one.

The leaves of the plant began to curl up into tubes. Be prepared - conflicts await you in your family and at work.

The flower has stopped growing. You need to reassess your values: perhaps you are going the wrong way and you need to change tactics both in business and in your personal life.

The stem and roots begin to rot. This bad omen- means rapid discord and split in the family or at work, even to the point of loss.

Sheflera started grow very quickly. According to signs and superstitions, this indicates an imminent pregnancy.

Glossy and succulent leaves- a sign of prosperity, a white streak in life.

Flower care

To avoid negative signs and superstitions associated with the condition of the sheflera, it is important to know how to properly care for it. Experienced flower growers introduce the basics of beautifying this topical guest.

Watering. Two to three times a week. It is important not to overdry or over-moisten the soil in the pot. Water for irrigation should never come from the tap. It needs to be defended for a day, or better yet, two.

Lighting. Schefflera loves a lot of light, but straight sun rays disastrous for her. Therefore, it is better to choose a western or northern window.

Temperature. Oddly enough, the tropical plant does not tolerate high temperatures. The flower feels good when the room is +20+23 degrees. In summer, you can take the flower pot outside, just put it in a shaded place.

Pot. A wide, squat pot is suitable for this plant, as the roots of the plant grow quite strongly.

Soil. It is enough to buy special soil that is suitable for palm trees - it is rich and fertile. And most importantly, the soil must be loose. You can make it yourself by adding leaf humus, coarse peat and sand to the soil.

Despite all its mysticism and mystery, the shefflera is, first of all, a very beautiful indoor flower. Therefore, aesthetic pleasure and air purification are its main properties. You don’t need to rely heavily on signs and superstitions to avoid letting unnecessary nerves and negativity into your life. If you like the flower, then it is your flower, feel free to buy it and move it into your home. After all, the main adviser for any choice in your life is your heart and intuition.

Botanical name: Schefflera.

Schefflera domestica - family. Araliaceae.

Homeland of the plant. Australia and Oceania.

What it looks like. The genus consists of approximately 900 evergreen shrubs, vines or low trees. Majority indoor plants It is a shrub with erect stems. With age stems become lignified and covered with light brown bark.

Complex leaves Schefflers have very long petioles and are arranged alternately on the stems. The leaves consist of oblong-oval segments arranged in a circle, the number of segments varies from 5 to 14. In green-leaved species, the leaves are solid green; variegated varieties are distinguished by the presence of white or yellow spots on the leaves.

In nature, shefflera is thrown away flower stalks, bearing many small, often reddish flowers. After flowering, the plant forms rounded berries.

Height. In its natural environment, the Schefflera flower takes on impressive sizes and can reach 14 m. in height. IN room conditions plants are pruned or low varieties are grown.

The size of plants at home is also affected by the volume of the pot - in cramped containers, plant development slows down.

2. Schefflera care at home

2.1.Reproduction, growing from a leaf

Schefflera breeds stem cuttings under a cover made of transparent plastic or glass using growth hormones.

Rooting is quite easy, sometimes even in a simple glass of water in spring and summer. It is worth adding a small amount of crushed charcoal to the water for rooting.

It is advisable to treat the bases of the cuttings with growth hormones and cover the young plants with a transparent plastic cap or a simple plastic bag to maintain uniform humidity.

2.2.Transplant

Young plants are planted annually into fresh soil and a larger pot, adults - transplant every 2 - 3 years.

For tuber bushes, the replanting of which is difficult, the top layer of the mixture is replaced with fresh soil annually.

The plant should be given a fairly spacious pot to increase the feeding area.

2.3.When it blooms

At home, flowering occurs very rarely. In nature, plants bloom during the summer months.

• Dracaena - photo, home care, types, reproduction, replanting indoor dracaena, watering the plant, flowering, pruning, diseases and pests
• Ficus - photos, home care, names and photos of varieties, reproduction, signs, replanting indoor plants, watering, pruning and shaping
• Chlorophytum - photo, home care, plant propagation, types, soil for growing in a pot, replanting, watering indoor plants
• Fatsia japonica - photo, home care, signs and superstitions associated with the plant, growing an indoor flower from seeds - reproduction, diseases and pests, soil for growing at home, description of species, replanting

2.4.How to care for shefflera, pruning

The plant is very popular in culture due to its spectacular appearance and ease of cultivation.

Wipe from time to time leaves plants with a damp sponge to remove dust.

Trim the Schefflera in the fall to maintain a compact shape. The plant reacts to pruning by appearing large quantity side shoots, which allows you to form a thick and lush crown.

Pinch apical buds of young plants to form a dense crown.

Provide long stems support for growth.

Periodically turn the pot with the shefflera on different sides to the light source so that the plant develops symmetrically.

2.5.Diseases and pests

• Yellowing and abscission leaves may be caused by stagnation of moisture at the roots.
• With periodic flooding, the plant becomes sluggish and this behavior encourages novice gardeners to water, which further aggravates the situation.Unfortunately, this situation often leads to death for the sheffler.
• When there is a lack of light, plants become elongated.
• As the plant ages, it may lose lower leaves and expose the stems - such plants should be subjected to radical anti-aging pruning.
• Lack of moisture causes the plant drop leaves.
• The leaves are getting smaller and fade due to lack of nutrients.
• If there are cold drafts in the room or if you are located near heating devices plants may lose leaves.

Among the harmful insects that can attack the flower are mealybugs, aphids and red spider mites, and scale insects.

Insects - pests

2.6.Soil

Loose nutrient soil with good drainage.

A mixture of garden soil with leaf humus, peat, with the addition of a small amount of coarse river sand and crushed charcoal is suitable.

2.7.Watering

The frequency of watering will depend on the ambient temperature.

When kept in a room with a temperature above 20° C, maintain the soil evenly moist, but not swampy. At a temperature of about 16 ° C - dry the top layer of soil with a thickness of about 3 cm. between waterings.

A few minutes after watering, excess moisture from the pan should be drained.

2.8.Fertilizers for shefflera

Spring and summer feed liquid fertilizers monthly. In autumn and winter, plants are given rest and feeding is stopped.

2.9.Lighting

A brightly lit area with plenty of reflected sunlight, but without access to direct rays.

Plants also develop well in partial shade, but they can react to a lack of light by yellowing and dropping leaves.

2.10.Temperature

She prefers Schefflera at home cool conditions and does not like extreme heat.

Throughout the year, it is advisable to keep plants at a temperature 16 - 18°C. With more high temperature indoors, the frequency of watering and air humidity should be increased.

During the winter months Not expose plants to temperature below 10°C.

You may also be interested in:

• Zamioculcas - caring for a flower at home, propagation, replanting, why zamioculcas turns yellow, plant flowering, signs, watering, land for growing
• Sansevieria - photo, home care, flower propagation, descriptions and names of species, flowering time, replanting, leaf propagation, soil for mother-in-law's tongue, watering, growing in a pot, planting
• Heptapleurum - photo of indoor plants, flower propagation - rooting cuttings, composition of soil for growing in a pot, temperature, frequency of watering, lighting, fertilizer, description, flowering time, height
• Vineyard - photo, home care, propagation, planting in open ground, why plant leaves turn yellow, growing vines in a pot, varieties, beneficial properties

2.11.Spraying

Increase humidity with tray with wet pebbles or room humidifier, and also surrounding the pot with a layer wet sphagnum moss.

Spray the plant can be watered in the morning room temperature.

Schefflera can be kept indoors without additional moisture, but will look healthier when high humidity air.

2.12.Purpose

Suitable for landscaping spacious and bright rooms.

2.13.
Note

All above-ground parts of the plant poisonous– be careful when handling schefflera and keep children and pets away from the plant.

This species will grow indoors with proper care within many years.

2.14.Hydroponics

Grows well in hydroponics.

3.Varieties:

3.1.Schefflera "Gerda" - Schefflera arboricola "Gerda"

A beautiful variety of tree-like schefflera with variegated, glossy leaves, colored in the center of the leaf blade in greenish, yellow or white, and along the edges of the leaves - in green tint. The plant can reach a height of 2.5 - 3 m, so it needs periodic corrective pruning.

3.2.Schefflera arboricola "Janine"

A low tree-like variegated Schefflera, forming a very lush bush. The leaves are divided into 5 - 7 glossy, oblong-oval, entire-edged segments - fingers, colored in shades of green, white or yellowish. Basic distinctive feature This variety is that many segments have a solid white, greenish or yellow color.

3.3.Schefflera "Nora"

An aerial variety of tree-like shefflera, characterized by its compact size. The leaves are uniform - green, glossy, divided into 5 - 7 very thin, oval fingers. Sometimes on sale you can find plants of this variety with beautifully braided trunks.

3.4. Schefflera "Melanie" - Schefflera "Melanie"

A variegated variant of the tree-like Schefflera, about 50 cm high, with very attractive compound, palmate leaves. The main shade of the leaves is light green or yellowish; standard green may be present only on some fingers or along the edges of the leaf blades in the form of a thin strip.

3.5.Schefflera elegantissima "Bianca"

Schefflera graceful is also called dizygotheca. A valuable ornamental foliage plant with tall, erect, often branched shoots at the base and complex leaves divided into “fingers.” This variety has very long fingers, and the edges of the leaf blades have large teeth. The leaves are dark green with a thin white border along the edges. The central vein is also highlighted in a light shade. Overall, the plant has a delicate, airy appearance.

3.6. Schefflera "Louisiana" - Schefflera "Louisiana"

Variety of tree-like schefflera. The plants are tall - they can reach a height of 70 to 150 cm. The stems are erect, branching abundantly, become woody with age and are covered with light brown bark. The leaves are compound, palmate, green, glossy. The fingers are oblong-lanceolate, thin, giving the whole appearance of the plant an openwork appearance.

3.7. Schefflera actinophylla

In the natural environment, this species often grows as an epiphyte on other trees, although it reaches impressive sizes - up to 12 m in height. It has erect, branched shoots that become woody with age and become covered with smooth greenish-brown bark. The leaves are compound - consist of 7 - 16 fingers, with drooping long, dark green, glossy fingers, reaching a diameter of 60 cm. Often the edges of the leaf blades are slightly corrugated. In nature, this species has the most gorgeous flowering - large inflorescences with many small pinkish flowers are formed at the tops of the shoots.

3.8. Schefflera "Amate" - Schefflera "Amate"

A variety of palmate schefflera, a tall plant, easily reaching 2 m in height even in indoor conditions. The leaves are compound, consisting of dark green, glossy, relatively wide fingers. It differs in that even mature plants do not expose bottom part trunk, in addition, leaf fall does not occur even in low light conditions.

3.9.Schefflera “Gold Capella” - Schefflera “Gold Capella”

A variegated version of the tree-like schefflera. Evergreens perennials up to 3 m high with dark green palmate leaves. The stems are thick, erect, and become covered with smooth greenish bark with age. Plants with intertwined trunks are often found on sale. Bright varietal feature is the presence of yellow spots of various shapes and sizes on plant leaves.

In the interior of official institutions - hospitals, reception rooms, offices - you can often see a plant with the original name “umbrella tree”. Sheffler fell in love, the care of which is reduced to a minimum of activities, and the owners indoor gardens. A tree or bush with a lush crown formed by large leaves that look like palms with spread fingers is equally decorative in winter and summer. When grown indoors, a blooming schefflera is a rarity, but it is beautiful even without buds, the attractiveness of which is questionable for many: when open, they resemble tentacles.

Types and varieties

The culture leads its way to the home garden from the tropical rainforests of the Australian continent, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Its closest relatives are representatives of the Araliaceae family: ivy, eleutherococcus, ginseng. Wild species of Schefflera, of which there are about 200 known, are diverse. They are distinguished from each other by the size, shape, length and color of the leaves. Among them there are vines, shrubs, and huge (up to 20 m tall) trees. About 10 cultivated forms of the flower are grown at home.

Most often indoor garden decorate shefflers of the following types.

• Eight-leaved (Schefflera octophylla). Its leaves are shiny, leathery, elongated, lanceolate. They become pointed towards the top and have a rounded base. Because of their shape, this shefflera is popularly called the octopus tree. The leaves are rough to the touch. They reach 30-40 cm in length and 10 cm in width. The petioles are long, strongly drooping, and milky-cream in color. From 6 to 12 leaves are attached to each. While they are young, their color is olive green with a bottle yellow tint. Over time, they turn a rich malachite shade, against which the paler veins become clearly visible. The bottom of the leaf blade is matte, its color is dull, pale green.
• Palmate (Schefflera digitata). Also known as Aralia schefflera. Found naturally in New Zealand. This is a tall (up to 3-6 m) tree, the shape of its leaves resembles a palm tree. Each of them is divided into 7-10 plates, the length of which is 15-35 cm. The leaves have the shape of a highly elongated oval, pointed at the base and at the top. They are wide - up to 6 cm. Their surface is glossy, leathery, like parchment. The edges of young leaves are feathery, and as they grow, sparse teeth appear on them. They are located on a long (up to 20 cm) tube-shaped petiole. Blooming palmate schefflera produces umbrella inflorescences consisting of 4-8 buds. They are very small. When open, the diameter of the flower is about 0.6 cm. There are also variegated types of this shefflera.
• Tree-like (Schefflera arboricola). The trunk of the plant is erect and branched. The color of the shoots depends on their age. While they are young, it is green. Adult shoots acquire a light brown tint. The tree-like variety of Schefflera is distinguished by the shape of its leaves: they are imparipinnate. They reach a length of 20 cm. The varieties Gold Capella (with lush green leaves covered with small yellow spots), Gerda (with colorful lime green leaves resembling open rosettes), Amate (with increased resistance to diseases and pests and lush green leaves). Schefflera's tree home garden can grow up to 1.2 m in height.
• Radiant leaf (Schefflera actinophylla). Its second name is star-leaved. It is most often grown at home. Its trunk is dusty brown, powerful, straight, noticeably thickened at the base. The leaves are divided into 14-16 lobes. At first they are ovoid, then they become oval-elongated, pointed towards the apex. Their average length– 15 cm, width – 5 cm. They are slightly wavy at the edges, attached to long petioles of a red-brown hue. The color of the leaves depends on the plant variety. In some species they are shiny and rich green, in others they are mustard (Green Gold) or olive-yellow, jagged, similar to oak (Nova). In the middle part, the lobes are wide; their edges may even touch neighboring ones. The veins on the leaves are lighter in color and are clearly visible. An indoor flower can reach a height of 3 m.

All types of shefflera are unpretentious. Caring for them will not seem difficult even experienced flower growers.

Lighting and temperature

Schefflera needs a lot of light. The optimal place for it is a window sill located on the east or west side of the house. A plant with monochromatic leaves will also be comfortable on northern windows. If they are covered with fancy patterns of white and yellow (Gerda, Hong Kong, Gold Capella, Sofia, Janine), the patterns on them will fade due to insufficient lighting.

The southern windows of the Schefflere are not suitable. The flower will be too hot and sunny on them. It is better to place the tree on a well-lit table, moving it towards the window. The plant patiently tolerates unfavorable conditions, but cannot withstand the schefflera for long in the sun - its leaves turn yellow and become covered with burns. Therefore, it is recommended to hide it from the heat under a light curtain.

Shefflera can also be placed in partial shade. But you shouldn’t place it in the back of the room, at a considerable distance from the light source, otherwise, instead of a spectacular tall tree, a stunted misunderstanding with sparse leaves will grow. In winter, this indoor flower needs additional lighting. This is especially important when kept warm (temperatures above 17°C).

In the warm season, the pot with shefflera can be taken outside: to the terrace, balcony or garden. The main thing is to shelter it from the bright sun and protect it from wind and drafts.

Despite its tropical origin, the plant does not like heat. Its preferred temperature is between 17-22°C in summer and at least 12°C in winter period. Schefflera reacts sharply to overheating, throwing off its leaves. For this reason, window sills under which the battery is located and corners near heating devices are poor options for placing it. Flower leaves also fall due to drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations.

Watering and humidity

This indoor plant loves a humid atmosphere, but does not tolerate stagnant water in the pot. For those whose home garden is decorated with Schlumbergera truncata (better known as Decembrist), its requirements will seem familiar. During the period of active growth, Schefflera requires frequent (with an interval of 2-3 days), but moderate watering. The soil should not be allowed to dry out. It should always remain slightly damp. But short-term drought in schefflera is easier to cope with than constant dampness, due to which the soil turns sour and the roots of the tree begin to rot. Overwatering is indicated by blackening and flying leaves. Such problems will not arise if you grow Schefflera hydroponically.

When the flower is in the dormant stage, watering is reduced to 1 procedure every 7-10 days. It is important to follow this rule if the plant is kept at low temperature. Schefflers defend water for irrigation. Distilled or boiled is also suitable. Its temperature should be room temperature or 2-3°C higher than room temperature.

Increased air humidity is the key to the full development of shefflera. On hot days, the tree is sprayed daily, using soft water for the procedures, otherwise, after it dries, white spots will remain on the leaves. To remove dust from this indoor plant, clean it with a damp sponge or arrange it warm shower. In winter, a favorable microclimate for shefflera is created by filling the tray of the pot wet expanded clay. You can replace it with pebbles or moss. The roots of the flower should not come into contact with water. If the room is warm in winter (more than 17°C), do not stop spraying the plant.

Propagation by stem cuttings

Flower growers who are not familiar with breeding Schefflera are interested in how the tree reproduces. You can grow it in different ways:

• from seeds;
• from cuttings;
• from the air layer.

Most often, flower propagation is carried out by cuttings. Having selected the most developed semi-lignified shoot on an adult sheffler, it is cut off with a sharp knife and divided into parts. Each cutting should have 2 internodes. Then the shoots are dipped into a solution of a root growth stimulator (Heteroauxin) for 6-8 hours. It is advisable to stock up on Kornevin. The cuttings are dipped in it before planting.

They are rooted in separate containers in a mixture of peat and sand. To prepare the substrate, both components are taken in equal volumes. The container with the planted cuttings is placed under a plastic bag. In order for them to take root, it is necessary to provide them with two conditions:

• warm (about 22°C);
• bright but diffuse lighting.

Caring for Schefflera cuttings at this stage is easy. You just need to periodically moisten the soil with a spray bottle and ventilate the greenhouse, briefly removing the bag. When the cuttings take root, the temperature is reduced to 18-20°C and the shelter is removed. Plants are left in planting containers until their roots completely entwine the soil ball. They are then moved to larger diameter pots. Until they take root in a new place, the temperature should not rise above 14-16°C.

Alternative methods of reproduction

It is almost impossible to obtain schefflera seeds at home, so you will have to purchase them in the store. They are sown early - in January-February. To increase germination, the seeds are pre-treated with a growth stimulant (Epin, Zircon).

The planting container is filled with peat mixed with sand or a substrate made from the following components:

• turf land;
• leaf soil;
• sand

The recommended planting depth is 3 seed diameters. Having finished sowing, the container is placed under glass or covered with film. Schefflera seeds germinate at a temperature of 20-24°C. Caring for crops comes down to daily ventilation and moistening the soil as needed.

It will be easier to propagate a flower in a generative way if you heat the container with the planted seeds from below. This way the schefflera sprouts will appear faster.

When the seedlings produce 2-3 true leaves, they are picked into separate pots. They should not be large - from 7 to 9 cm in diameter. Spiked shefflers need coolness. The temperature in the room with them is maintained at 14-16°C. Closer to autumn, they are replanted again, using pots whose diameter is 10-12 cm. They need a substrate almost the same as crops. Only the proportions change: the components are mixed in a ratio of 2:1:1.

To propagate an adult Schefflera by air layering, a vertical cut is made on its trunk. Sphagnum moss soaked in a nutrient solution is applied to it. It is prepared from complex fertilizer or immunomodulator drugs. Add 1 g of substance to 1 liter of water. Having pressed the moss to the trunk of the shefflera, it is tightly wrapped with film on top. Constant humidity must be maintained under it, this must be carefully monitored.

Soon roots will appear at the cut site. When they grow up (this will take about 2 months), the flower is cut off and planted in a pot. There is no need to throw away your old shefflera. It is cut off, leaving a low stump. If you water the plant, it will eventually produce young shoots.

Feeding and replanting

During the period of intensive growth (March-August), Schefflera needs care in the form of fertilizing. It is carried out once every 1.5-2 weeks. Complex suits the flower mineral compounds, intended for decorative deciduous crops. It is advisable to alternate liquid feeding of shefflera with the addition of organic matter. The plant responds well to crushed eggshells. 1 tbsp. l substances are scattered over the surface of the soil in a pot. In winter, this indoor flower is not fed.

Young shefflers require annual replanting. For mature trees, the pot is changed less often - once every 2-3 years, when their roots become cramped in the old one. To adhere to this replanting scheme, every spring the top layer of soil (to a depth of 5 cm) is replaced with fresh one. The new container should be significantly larger in diameter than the previous one - by 5-6 cm. Best time for transplantation - spring.

The bottom of the pot is covered with a thick drainage layer. Sheffler likes soil that is light, loose, and high in nutrients. From ready-made substrates It is suitable for palm soil or universal soil.

If you make a soil mixture for a plant yourself, you need the following components:

• compost soil (3 parts);
• peat (1 part);
• coarse sand (1.5 parts).

Transplantation is carried out by transferring the flower from pot to pot and trying not to destroy the earthen lump. The voids are filled with soil, pressing it down. Finish the transplant with watering.

Trimming

If shefflera decorates an indoor flower garden, it is given the shape of a tree or bush. In the first case, it will look spectacular next to the Benjamin ficus. In the second case, Schlumbergera truncata will be a good neighbor for the flower. Young Schefflera have thin stems. In order to get a beautiful powerful tree in the future, they are tied to a support.

Whether a flower needs pruning depends on the variety. Radiant varieties of the plant, which have only one stem, do not require it. If the shefflera is woody, the purpose of such care is to save space. When the flower has grown greatly, the upper parts of its shoots can be cut off. This stimulates their branching.

The decorative appearance of the plant suffers from pruning, so many Scheffler owners do without it. To make the flower bushy and lush, 2-3 trees are placed in one pot. The leaves that interfere with each other are not touched, allowing them to dry out. When this happens, they are pruned. They use it for sharp knife, the blade of which is disinfected with alcohol, a solution of potassium permanganate or by hardening. This will protect the houseplant from infection entering the wound.

If it gets on the skin and mucous membranes, shefflera juice can cause irritation. Therefore, pruning it requires caution. It is recommended to carry it out with rubber gloves.

Leaves change color and fall

Improper care can reduce the decorative value of the shefflera and even destroy it. An indicator of a tree's well-being is its appearance. Yellowing of the leaves of the plant indicates an excess of sunlight. In this case, the flower must be removed from the windowsill or shaded. Insufficient soil and air moisture levels are the main reason for blackening of schefflera leaves at home. It starts from their ends. If you normalize watering and increase the frequency of spraying, the tree will gradually restore its former beauty.

The leaves of a flower fall off due to pests or unfavorable conditions for it:

• prolonged hypothermia (if the room temperature is below 14°C) or overheating (at 30°C);
• chronic waterlogging, which resulted in rotting of the Schefflera roots;
• insufficient lighting (plant species with variegated leaves often react to it this way).

Having discovered that the Schefflera roots are rotting, it is necessary to urgently save the tree. It is removed from the pot. The roots are carefully examined, cutting off diseased areas. Then they are immersed in a solution of a growth stimulating drug (Epin, Zircon). The next step is to disinfect the Schefflera roots. For this you can use Fitosporin or crushed coal. After treating the roots, the plant is planted in fresh, slightly moistened soil mixture. The pot is placed under a plastic bag. Shefflera is kept in such a greenhouse for 5-7 days. Periodically remove the bag to ventilate and water the flower.

Insects dangerous to wood:

• scale insects;
• thrips;
• spider mites.

Due to their invasion, the development of schefflera slows down, the leaves on the flower turn yellow and then fall off. If pests are not controlled, the plant will wither. It is easier to get rid of them in the initial stages of damage. Detected insects are carefully removed from the leaves and stems with a sponge, cloth or cotton swab soaked soap solution.

If pests on the sheffler have formed a whole colony, you will have to use insecticides. Actellik, Fitoverm and Karbofos have proven themselves well. You should work with them carefully, following safety rules and making sure that the drug solution does not get into the soil. If necessary, re-treatment is carried out after 2 weeks.

Schefflera is a truly versatile houseplant. It will subtly highlight the beauty of other flowers in the home garden, but even when planted alone, it will delight the eye with its lush, bright crown, creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. Caring for the tree is easy. It is worth providing schefflere good lighting and constant humidity, and she will thank you for your care by quickly turning into a tall, showy flower.

Lovers of indoor plants who believe in omens will find many reasons to get this guest from the tropics. According to Feng Shui, a well-developed sheffler in the house speaks of material well-being and peace of mind. This plant, like a sponge, absorbs negative energy. Being next to him relieves anxiety, fears and sad thoughts, calming, invigorating and bringing a feeling of peace and harmony. If you place a pot of shefflera in the bedroom, you don’t have to worry about nightmares and insomnia. Its placement in an office or study room would be successful - esotericism ascribes to wood the ability to facilitate and improve the acquisition of knowledge.

Schefflera, this unusual plant with large leaves resembling a human palm, was cultivated not so long ago, but despite this, its decorativeness and ease of care have managed to fall in love with flower growers who prefer unusual pets from the world of flora.

General information

There are more than 200 species in the Schefflera genus. Not all representatives of Schefflera are suitable for growing at home, since many of them in nature can grow up to 40 meters. House plants are much more miniature, but good care they can easily grow to the ceiling.

The flower tolerates shaping pruning well, so the gardener can give his plant absolutely any shape. Caring for shefflera is quite simple, so even novice gardeners will be able to cope with this unusual plant, growing a beautiful specimen that will be the envy of everyone.

Schefflera types and varieties

– is a cultivated form of tree-like schefflera, grown as house plant. The homeland of this species of shefflera is Southeast Asia. The plant is a small tree with a straight trunk that resembles a palm tree. The height of the flower reaches 120 centimeters. It has lush, bright green foliage with golden spots.

- is indoor variety a plant that is distinguished by its elegant foliage and ease of care. The flower has long and narrow leaf blades of a green hue with bright yellow specks. The edges of the leaves are decorated with even teeth. Schefflera has a lush crown and dense foliage.

– has all the advantages of its species and is as easy to care for as other shefflers. Among others, it is distinguished by its elegant, variegated foliage. Dark green leaf plates are diluted with light speckles and streaks. Janine tolerates shade normally and does not lose the variegated color of her leaves.

– is easy to care for. The plant will be comfortable on a windowsill with diffused lighting. It reaches a height of 50 centimeters to 2.5 meters. It needs moist and fertile soil. The leaf blades of the plant are variegated, pale green or yellow-green in color.

- the most graceful representative of her kind. It has openwork, leathery, shiny leaf plates that have an extraordinary decorative effect and a variegated green-yellow hue.

This variety differs from the others in having shorter leaves, which reach up to 8 centimeters in length. Each leaf blade has a white edge and beige patches at the base. Due to the contrast of dark and light shades, the decorative notches decorating the edges of the leaves become almost invisible.

Schefflera arborescens (Schefflera arboricola ) - is flowering bush, whose homeland is considered to be China. In nature, it has a straight trunk and reaches a height of up to 4 meters. The plant has complex, palmate, large leaf blades of a light green hue.

– the plant has decorative sizes, so it will become ideal option for growing in an apartment. It reaches a height of up to 120 centimeters and has dark green, leathery, shiny leaf plates of medium size.

Schefflera radiata (Schefflera starifolia ) - is the most common type of plant. In nature, shefflera reaches a height of 15 meters and can have one or two trunks. When growing a tree at home, it will grow up to 2.5 meters in height. It has dark green, leathery, shiny, large leaf blades with jagged ends. Schefflera blooms with small red inflorescences.

It is one of the smallest species. Its homeland is Asia, China and Australia. The plant has several trunks on which are palmate-compound leaves with a green color and yellowish or white spots.

– the plant can grow up to 2.5 meters in length and has shiny, large, feathery, waxy leaf blades of a dark green hue. The flower is resistant to pests and tolerates shade well, so it is suitable for apartments with windows facing north.

- belongs to the genus Schefflera. It can reach a height of up to 1.5 meters. It has a lush crown with olive, shiny, large leaf plates with dark green streaks. The plant is easy to care for, so it is suitable for novice gardeners.

– this plant grows up to 1.5 meters in length and has dark green pinnate leaf plates with olive streaks and inclusions. It is unpretentious in care and is practically not susceptible to attack by pests.

The plant of this variety is distinguished by its unusual decorative leaves, which are large in size and dark green in color with yellow spots and jagged edges. The flower is easy to care for and is suitable for growing in apartments and offices.

– this species was bred relatively recently. The plant has unusual leaf plates, the outer part of which has a light shade, the edges are decorated with a dark green edging, and reverse side The leaf blades have a rich dark green hue. The plant is similar to a palm tree, is easy to care for and has high decorative qualities.

- this type of plant wildlife grows in China, India and Japan. The height of the tree reaches up to 2 meters. Its leaves are covered with small, light-colored needles, which fall off over time. Each leaf has eight large oval-shaped green leaf blades.

– The birthplace of the plant is New Zealand. In nature, it grows in tropical forests, where it reaches a height of 8 meters. Its leaf plate is divided into 7 parts, which resemble the fingers of a human hand. The leaves have pointed edges and a dark green tint.

The inflorescences of this Schefflera variety have a paniculate shape. They are quite large and reach a diameter of up to 40 centimeters. After the plant fades, fruits appear in place of the flowers, which are eaten by tropical birds. Schefflera is listed in the Red Book, as local residents sell young shrubs to tourists, thereby reducing its numbers.

Schefflera care at home

Schefflera is very light-loving. At the end of autumn, the plant should be moved to a windowsill facing the south side of the house. It should stay there until spring. In summer, the plant needs shading to avoid direct sunlight.

If there is little light in an apartment or house, then it is better to choose those varieties of shefflera that tolerate shade well and have green foliage. Variegated varieties are not suitable in this case, since they require a lot of light to maintain their decorative effect. In summer, the plant must be taken outside, placing it in a shaded area.

Schefflera will be comfortable if the florist in the room provides her with high humidity air, although it can adapt to normal humidity. The plant needs regular sprinkling, which is carried out with warm, settled water.

The tree will grow and develop well at room temperature. IN winter time year, temperatures should not drop below + 12 degrees. There should be no drafts in the room with the shefflera, and it should not be placed next to the battery. However, small temperature changes will benefit the plant.

Heptapleurum is also a member of the Araliaceae family. It can be grown with care at home without much hassle if you follow the rules of agricultural technology. All necessary recommendations You can find it in this article.

Watering schefflera

The tree should be watered systematically, without over-moistening the soil. Settled water at room temperature is best suited for watering. It is necessary to ensure that the soil does not dry out.

In winter, when the plant enters a dormant period, watering should be reduced. It is impossible to allow the mixture to become waterlogged, become sour, and water stagnate, otherwise the shefflera will die.

Soil for shefflera

The soil for the plant should be nutritious and light; only in such a substrate will it feel comfortable.

You can prepare the soil mixture yourself or purchase ready-made soil in the store, giving preference to soil for growing ficus. To prepare the soil at home, you need to take turf, humus and river sand in a ratio of 2:1:1.

Shefflera pot

Having prepared the soil mixture, you should choose the right pot for the plant. Here everything will depend on the age of the plant. For example, small pots or even plastic cups are suitable for seedlings.

But when the roots grow, they should be transferred together with a lump of soil into pots with a diameter of 9 centimeters, and in the fall they should be transplanted into pots with a diameter of 12 centimeters. With each subsequent transplant, the diameter of the pot must be increased by 3–5 centimeters.

Shefflera transplant

A young tree should be replanted in the first year of its life. This is extremely important for proper growth and development in the future. Before transplanting, you should select a pot of suitable size and prepare the soil.

Then you need to put a drainage layer of gravel or expanded clay on the bottom of the pot. A layer of soil should be poured on top of the drainage and placed on it root system plants, lightly shaking it off the ground. After this, carefully fill the remaining space in the pot with soil and compact it lightly to eliminate the void formed in the pot. After transplanting, the Scheffler needs to be watered generously.

An adult tree should be replanted every five years. If the plant is very large, then replanting is carried out very carefully, by moving the shefflera to new pot along with a lump of earth.

Fertilizer for Schefflera

In order for the plant to grow beautiful and healthy, it must be fertilized. Fertilizing is carried out with liquid fertilizers for indoor flowers. The frequency of fertilization will depend on the time of year. During the dormant period from late autumn to early spring, the plant is fertilized once a month, the rest of the time - once every 15–20 days.

The concentration of ready-made fertilizers may not always satisfy the needs of the plant. For this reason, experienced gardeners recommend playing it safe by diluting the fertilizer in a lower concentration and fertilizing the tree twice as often. Dry fertilizers are not suitable for shefflera.

Schefflera flowering

Domesticated specimens of the plant bloom extremely rarely, but if inflorescences appear, they have a paniculate shape with small flowers of red or yellow shades.

Flowering time occurs in mid-summer.

Schefflera pruning and shaping

Flower pruning is carried out in order to form a lush crown and reduce the vertical dimensions of fast-growing plant varieties. The first pruning should be done when the young plant has grown a little. For this purpose, it is necessary to shorten the apical branches by 4 internodes. It is best to cut branches with sharp pruning shears. Sections must be treated with activated carbon.

After the side branches grow, you can begin to form a spherical crown by cutting off the tops of the branches. The cuttings obtained by pruning can be used for propagation. It should be noted that pruning greatly weakens the shefflera, so it must be done in several stages.

Schefflera in winter

The plant's dormant period begins at the end of autumn and lasts until spring. At this time, all processes in the shefflera slow down and it stops growing. Accordingly, her care changes.

During this period, it is better to move the tree to a bright room with a temperature not lower than + 12 degrees. Watering and sprinkling should be kept to a minimum, as well as fertilizing.

Propagation of shefflera by cuttings

For cuttings, shoots are selected whose stems are already partially woody and cut off. Then they are treated with drugs that stimulate the growth of the root system. After treatment, the cuttings are placed in a mixture of peat and sand.

To planting material has taken root, in the room where it is located the temperature should not be lower than + 22 degrees. When the shoots take root, temperature regime change, reducing to +18 degrees.

After the root system has grown sufficiently, become stronger and occupied the entire pot, the young plants can be replanted. You can also germinate the root system on cuttings using water. For this purpose, the shoots are placed in cups with warm water and wait until they take root.

Once the root system is sufficiently developed to be planted in the ground, the plants are transplanted into separate pots for permanent cultivation.

Schefflera from seeds at home

The procedure should be started in the second half of winter. Seed material is placed in peat to a depth of 3 to 5 centimeters. After planting, the soil must be watered, covered with film and provided with a temperature of + 22 to + 24 degrees.

From time to time, the film must be removed to ventilate and spray the crops. When the first leaves begin to appear, the sprouts are transplanted into separate cups and left in a room at 19-20 degrees.

Reproduction of Schefflera by air layering

To use this method of propagation, a small incision is made in the outer layer of the trunk, the resulting scar is covered with moist sphagnum, which should be constantly moistened. The barrel is then wrapped in polyethylene.

After two months, roots appear at the site of the incision. The cuttings are carefully trimmed and transplanted into a separate pot.

Schefflera propagation by leaf

This propagation method is suitable for experienced gardeners. To obtain planting material, you should tear off a large leaf plate from an adult plant and place it in a solution of a growth stimulator. Then the workpiece must be placed in a warm place and covered with polyethylene.

After three weeks, the polyethylene layer should be gradually removed, reducing the temperature to 20 degrees. When the leaf adapts, it needs to be transplanted into a prepared pot with drainage and substrate.

Each gardener will decide for himself which propagation method to choose.

Diseases and pests of Schefflera

The most common ailment of Schefflera is rot . It affects the plant if the grower floods it, keeps it in cold and drafty conditions, or overfeeds the tree. All of the above reasons lead to the plant dropping its leaves, withering, and black spots appearing on the leaf blades. .

To get rid of rot, the plant needs to be transplanted into a new pot and substrate, after going through the root system and removing damaged areas. To completely kill fungal spores, the roots should be kept in a weak manganese solution for 20 minutes, after which the plant can be replanted in prepared soil.

• If Schefflera leaves begin to turn yellow This means they were exposed to direct sunlight and the plant got burned. You can help the tree by moving it to a slightly shaded place.
• Schefflera leaf blades are darkening with a lack of light, so to avoid this problem, the plant must be moved closer to the sun.
• If the leaves droop, the Schefflera dries out, grows poorly or does not grow at all. – the reason is improper care for it. Only by creating a microclimate favorable for growth and development can you eliminate all the problems described above.

In addition to diseases, the plant is susceptible to attack spider mite , thrips And scale insects . The first signs of damage by these pests are sticky leaves. Highlighting your poisonous juice, the sheffler independently tries to protect itself from harmful insects.

To destroy pests, the plant can be sprayed with a soda solution and the leaves can be wiped with soapy water. Sheffler should also be treated with the Actellik insecticide according to the instructions on the package.

As you can see, caring for an exotic green pet is not at all difficult. By following all the above recommendations, you will get a beautiful and healthy plant that will delight you with decorative leaves and rapid growth, turning over time into a luxurious tree with a thick and luxurious crown.

Stunning in its beauty, the Schefflera mini-tree is easy to care for at home. If you care for this flower correctly, it will not only return the invested love a hundredfold, but will also delight you with its greatness, reaching a height of 2 meters. When the tree reaches 50 centimeters and additional shoots form, they can be beautifully braided; the main condition is care so as not to break the branches.

Sheflera not only decorates the room, but also cleans it, thanks to its ability to quickly produce oxygen

Sheflera is great for landscaping not only apartments or houses, but also offices. But in children's institutions it is advisable to place it so that children cannot reach it, since when cut the plant releases juice that causes an allergic reaction.

To grow beautiful and healthy home tree, the following factors must be taken into account:

• illumination
• priming
• watering and fertilizing
• temperature
• reproduction

It is advisable to immediately assign Scheffler to a permanent place, presumably in the southern part of the house and taking into account its further growth. During the adaptation period, it is advisable not to touch it, rearrange it or turn it. Due to its resistance to stress, the chefler’s adaptation takes place in 2-3 days.

Light level

The homemade variety of sheflera comes in two types: variegated and with pure green leaves. Variegated flowers love light, and green-leaved “umbrella trees,” on the contrary, love partial shade.

Due to the variegated color of the leaves, sheflera requires more light, due to which photosynthesis occurs faster, and the rays of the sun are needed to maintain bright color. During the dormant period, any variety of cheflera should be protected from excessive lighting.

Schefflera with dark green leaves should be placed on eastern windows or where there is partial shade or indirect rays of sun.

Priming

Since this flower grows slowly, caring for it will not be difficult. A home tree should be replanted no more often than once every two years, and the pot should be chosen three centimeters wider each time. Expanded clay must be placed at the bottom, because the plant requires moderate watering, otherwise the roots may rot and the cheflera will die.

The unpretentious cheflera will be happy to be transplanted into any soil

To find out if a plant is ready for replanting, you need to pull it out of the pot and see if the roots are completely entangled in the earthen ball, which means replanting is necessary. The remaining soil can be carefully swept away and planted in a pot with new soil added. If replanting is carried out for a young plant, it is advisable to carry out everything using the transshipment method. So that young roots are not damaged.

Watering and fertilizing

There are situations when it was not possible to water the cheflera for a long time. It is possible to revive it; to do this, place the flower pot in a container of water, which is slightly warmer than room temperature. Leave the flower for 15-20 minutes, then take it out and put it in its usual place. It is not advisable to carry out such experiments often, since it is necessary to take care of the sheflera with special care, because it is she who will help defuse the tense situation at home.

During active growth from April to September, shefflera needs to be fertilized. Apply fertilizers a couple of times a month. In the summer, it is advisable to place trays with water near the flower so that it does not get hot. You can spray the leaves or shower in the bathroom.

From October to March, do not fertilize the plant and, if possible, do not water it often, only when it dries out.

Temperature

The optimal temperature for the growth and development of sheflera is 16–25 in the summer and 16–20 in the winter.

The plant does not like very dry air, so it is advisable not to place it on a windowsill under which there is a central heating radiator.

In summer the best way To protect the plant from overheating, use a tray with expanded clay, which must be constantly moistened. The pallet should be placed next to the cheflera; other flowers will also be grateful to this proximity.

There is no need to put anything nearby for the winter.

Reproduction

Schefflera can be propagated by cuttings or seeds; there is also a method of propagation by shoots, but it is quite labor-intensive.

Due to the fact that the plant blooms extremely rarely at home, the seeds are therefore difficult to collect, but if such a miracle does happen, after the seeds have fully ripened, they should be placed in a paper bag for some time (1 - 2 months). so that they ripen. Then pour the seeds into the prepared soil at a distance of 5 centimeters and a depth of 1 - 2 centimeters. Constantly moisten the soil, as young shoots need moisture. It is advisable to cover the tray or bowl where the seedlings will be with a plastic bag. As soon as the first shoots appear, make sure that the soil is not too wet. A week after the first shoots, plant the plants in separate pots.

Propagating shefflera with shoots is a task only experienced specialists can do, because before cutting it from the tree, an incision is made, which is shrouded in moss

Planting by cuttings also does not require any special skill. The main thing is that the plant juice does not get on the skin. After the cutting is cut, it must be planted in the soil and covered with a jar, rooting will occur within a month.

Sheflera is perhaps the most beautiful and useful plant, which is desirable to have at home. After all, thanks to its crown, there will always be oxygen and ozone in the apartment, which increases human immunity, and phytoncides will actively protect it.