Oct 15 2018

Sheffler - home care

Schefflera is a beautiful ornamental houseplant that often adorns offices, shops and apartments. Sheflera is distinguished by unusual leaves and unpretentious care at home. Among plant species there are variegated varieties, with different shapes and colors of leaves.

Shefflera (or Schefflera) grows in many countries with a tropical climate. In nature, it grows in the form of a tree or shrub. There are species that reach a height of forty meters. These species are not suitable for indoor breeding. Many specimens in nature are more modest in size, reaching two meters. Indoors, the plant can reach one and a half meters. Therefore, the plant can often be found in spacious halls, offices, winter gardens. If space permits, then a sheffler can be successfully grown in an apartment, you just need to take into account its rapid growth.

It belongs to the Araliev family, and about 400 species grow in nature. The plant got its name from the name of the famous botanist Jacob Christian Scheffler from Germany. It is characterized by leaves in the form of an umbrella, consisting of several dissected lobes. The number of lobes per leaf ranges from 4 to 12, depending on the variety. The leaves are located on long petioles.

In nature, the plant blooms with inconspicuous small white flowers collected in an umbrella. Under indoor conditions, it is not possible to achieve shefflera flowering, but this does not upset flower growers. Because decorative leaves more than compensate for the lack of flowers.

Species and varieties

In indoor floriculture, the following types are used:

• eight-leaf;
• radiant;
• treelike;
• palmate.

On the basis of these species, breeders have developed new varieties of shefflers, which we will consider a little lower.

eight-leaf

The plant got its name from the number of leaf plates, which ranges from eight to twelve. The leaves are lanceolate, pointed at the top. Their length reaches 30-40 centimeters, and their width is about ten. Leathery leaves have several shades of green, and the veins on them are a light cream shade.

radiant

It is also called star leaf for the shape of the leaf plate. You can recognize it by the number of leaves extending from the petiole of a red-brown color. Sixteen leaves are ovoid at first. As the plant grows, they stretch in length, but remain blunt at the ends. Their length is fifteen centimeters, and their width is five. Bright green leaves have a shiny leathery surface and light veins. This species is the most popular among flower growers. It should be noted the rapid growth of radiant shefflera. On the basis of this species, varieties with yellow-green and golden-yellow leaf plates were bred.

treelike

The plant is a tree growing up to 1.2 m, in which shoots extend from a straight trunk. This species is native to Southeast Asia. The number of leaflets, located on long petioles, ranges from seven to sixteen. The leaves, which are up to fifteen centimeters long, reach eight centimeters wide. The size and shade of the leaves may vary depending on the variety.

palmate

The homeland of the fingered shefflera is New Zealand. At home, the tree grows up to eight meters, and resembles a palm tree. Eight ellipsoid-shaped leaves are on long petioles, reaching twenty centimeters. The length of the leaves is from fifteen to thirty centimeters. It differs from the radiant species in compactness.

Janine

Schefflera Jeanine is distinguished by variegated foliage. Light dots and stains are scattered on a dark green background of leaves. This variety is distinguished by the fact that it tolerates shading well and does not lose its variegated color.

Nora

Variety Nora refers to variegated. Narrow green leaves are covered with yellow dots. The edge of the leaves is framed with teeth. Schefflera Nora is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and lush crown.

Gold Capella

The variety was bred on the basis of the tree shefflera. The tree has a lush crown with bright green leaves covered with golden spots.

Gerda

Variety Gerda prefers diffused light, moisture and fertile soil. The leaves of the plant are variegated, yellow-green. The height of the plant depends on the conditions of detention, and varies from 0.5 to 2.5 meters.

luzeana

The Luzeana variety is distinguished by openwork leaves with yellow-green stains. Shiny leathery plates add additional decorative effect.

bianca

Plants of the Bianchi variety have short leaves, the length of which does not exceed eight centimeters. The leaf plate has denticles along the edge, covered with a white border. Beige blotches are visible at the base of the leaves. The variety is decorative due to the shape and color of the leaves.

Custer

This variety, bred by breeders, is more suitable than others for growing in our apartments. The plant does not grow more than 120 centimeters. Its leathery, dark green leaves are medium in size.

Rules for caring for a sheffler at home

Scheffler is distinguished by its unpretentiousness when grown indoors. But there are simple maintenance rules that will ensure the beauty and long life of the plant.

Lighting

Since the chefler needs diffused light, the window sills of the east and west windows will be the best place in the apartment. On the northern windows, you can put types of shefflers with monochrome green leaves. In summer, it is recommended to take the pot with the plant to the balcony or loggia, but at the same time be sure to shade it from direct sunlight and protect it from drafts. In autumn and winter, the flower needs additional artificial lighting, especially when the temperature in the room is above eighteen degrees.

Temperature

Although shefflera comes from the tropics, but does not like high temperatures. In summer, the ideal temperature for her is twenty degrees Celsius. If the weather is very hot, the flower may shed its leaves.

In winter, the optimum temperature is the range from fourteen to eighteen degrees. If the plant remains in winter in a room with central heating, then it is necessary to protect it from the dry warm air of radiators.

How to water

Schefflera prefers moist soil without overdrying and waterlogging. Therefore, the regularity of watering should be given special attention. In summer, watering is carried out approximately once every two days, after the topsoil has dried. But at the same time, watering should be moderate in order to prevent stagnation of water in the soil. Stagnation of water leads to rotting of the roots. For irrigation, only settled water at room temperature is used so that the temperature of the soil in the pot is not lower than the air temperature.

Schefflera prefers high humidity of the surrounding air. You can place a pot with a plant on wet expanded clay. Spraying is carried out in the summer every two days. Spray water should also be settled and warm. When kept in the room in winter, they also continue to spray or wipe the leaves with a damp sponge.

top dressing

Regular timely feeding contributes to the growth and health of cheflers. Liquid complex fertilizers for decorative and deciduous houseplants are suitable for it. From spring to late autumn, shefler is fed twice a month. You can feed with organic and mineral fertilizers, alternating them.

The soil

Schefflera prefers light, nutritious, slightly acidic soil. For self-preparation, you need to take the following components:

• leaf ground (30%);
• sod land (40%);
• humus (20%);
• sand (10%).

You can prepare a soil mixture of soddy soil, humus and sand, taken in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. But it's still easier to buy a ready-made substrate in a flower shop. For cheflera, a mixture for growing ficuses and palms is suitable.

Transplant and pot

Transplanted to sheffler in the first half of spring. Young seedlings are planted in several pieces in one pot. The shefflera pot is chosen stable, rather deep, so that the drainage layer is two to three centimeters. For drainage, expanded clay, crushed bricks are used.

When transplanting a young plant, which is carried out after two years, a little earthen mixture is poured onto the drainage layer. The earth from the roots is slightly shaken off, the flower is transferred to a new pot and the roots are sprinkled with earth. The earth is compacted and watered abundantly.

At the next transplant, each new pot should be four to five centimeters wider than the previous one. Large plants are transplanted by transshipment, without shaking the earth from the roots. The older the flower, the less often it is transplanted. Do this when the roots have completely filled the pot.

Sheffler crown formation

A feature of shefflera is its negative reaction to pruning. Cutting off a large number of shoots greatly weakens the plant, and it begins to hurt. Therefore, gentle pruning can be carried out only as needed.

A young, fast-growing plant is pruned to form side shoots. The upper shoot is cut into four internodes. The cut is made with a sharp pruner or knife, but not with scissors. The place of the cut is sprinkled with activated charcoal. After a year or two, side shoots can be shortened to give the bush a spherical shape.

The best way to get a lush bush is to plant several cuttings in one pot. Cuttings after cutting are used for rooting and obtaining new young plants.

Sheffler breeding

Scheffler breeds at home in several ways:

• cuttings;
• seeds;
• air outlets.

Reproduction by cuttings

For propagation, shoots cut off during pruning are used, or shoots are cut in spring, choosing branches with partially woody stems. Cut with a sharp knife or secateurs. The cut is treated with Kornevin or another drug that stimulates root formation. Cuttings are planted in soil consisting of peat and sand in equal parts. Before rooting, cover with a transparent bag on top, and place in a place with a temperature of 22 degrees. The film is periodically removed for ventilation, and finally removed after rooting. After the formation of roots, the temperature is lowered to eighteen degrees. When the roots fill the small containers in which the cuttings were planted, you can transplant the sheffler into a larger pot with soil for adult plants.

Reproduction by seeds

Start sowing seeds in the middle of winter. Soil can be prepared in two ways. The first way is to mix sand and peat in equal parts. The second way is to take turf, leaf soil and sand in a ratio of 1:1:1. The mixture is pre-disinfected by heating in the oven for half an hour. The cooled soil is poured from seedling boxes. A layer of drainage must be poured at the bottom of the tank.

Schefflera seeds are first soaked in water for two to three hours with the addition of Epin or Zircon. Then the seeds are planted, deepening them by five centimeters. The soil is moistened with a spray bottle and the container is covered with a film. The boxes are placed in a warm place with a temperature of 22-24 degrees. Periodically remove the film for ventilation and spraying. The presence of a mini-greenhouse with a bottom heating will accelerate the germination of seeds.

After the appearance of the first leaves, the seedlings dive and transplanted into separate pots, reducing the temperature to 20 degrees. After three months, the sprouts are transplanted into a larger pot, planting several pieces from one pot. Then the pot is placed in a room with a temperature of 14-16 degrees.

Propagation by air layering

A new plant can be obtained using air layering. This method is used for adult flowers, the trunk of which is stiff. In early spring, before the start of the growing season, a small incision is made on the trunk. It is covered with sphagnum moss soaked in a nutrient solution, which is prepared by dissolving one gram of complex mineral fertilizer in a liter of water. The trunk with moss is wrapped with a film. Constantly make sure that the moss is in a wet state. If there is no moss, then you can use a bandage, moistening it and wrapping it with a film on top.

The appearance of roots is expected after two to three months. And after another three months, a branch with new roots is cut off and planted in a new pot. The cut point is left covered and continues to be moistened until new shoots appear. This is how the adult shefflera will be updated.

Schefflera diseases

Many people wonder what to do if the leaves fall off the cheflers? The plant, despite its unpretentiousness, reacts negatively to high and low temperatures, a sharp temperature drop, waterlogging and draft, lack of light. The reaction to many external stimuli in a tropical flower is the same - sheffler sheds leaves. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully analyze the conditions of detention in order to determine and eliminate the cause of leaf fall. When conditions improve, the plant stops shedding leaves, and over time, its decorative effect will be restored.

It is more difficult to cope with root rot that occurs with frequent waterlogging, keeping at low temperatures. Rot is manifested not only by wilting and falling leaves, but also by the appearance of black spots on them. With such symptoms of the disease, the plant is taken out of the pot and the condition of the roots is checked. Damaged, diseased roots are removed. Then the root system is immersed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for twenty minutes to disinfect, and then planted in a new pot and new soil. The old pot must be disinfected before reuse.

• Excessive watering can be manifested by the appearance of small bubbles on the underside of the leaf plate. This disease is called "dropsy".
• Direct sunlight can cause yellow spots on the leaves. With a lack of light, the leaves turn pale, especially the variegated varieties lose their decorative effect.
• The tips of the leaves turn brown and dry out with insufficient watering or low ambient humidity.

Pests

Schefflera is attacked by indoor plant pests such as spider mites, thrips and scale insects. The spider mite is noticeable by a white coating on the leaves and internodes, similar to a small cobweb. The scale insect leaves a sticky coating, and the insects themselves can be seen in the form of small brown tubercles on the leaves. Thrips can be detected by black dots on the back of the leaf plate.

Spider mite Thrips Shchitovka

If the number of pests is small, you can use folk methods:

• wash the leaves with soapy water;
• moisten a cotton swab in alcohol and wipe the leaves in places where insects are found.

If these methods did not lead to the destruction of pests, then it is necessary to treat the plants with insecticides such as Aktara. After a week and a half, the treatment should be repeated.

Conclusion

Schefflera, with simple care and the right choice of a place of detention, will delight for many years with its unusual leaves, while purifying the air in the room from harmful substances.

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An evergreen shrub, liana or small Schefflera tree (Schéfflera) of the Araliaceae family, native to tropical countries. There are other names for the culture - an umbrella tree, an umbrella plant, a sheffler, and also a shefler. In the wild, it sometimes grows on other trees as an epiphyte. Glossy, palmate, evergreen leaves are connected on vertical stems.

Scheffler, grown at home.

The sheffler flower is popular due to its small size and unpretentiousness. The optimal growing environment is a warm and evenly humid microclimate with bright, indirect light. Schaeffler will fit perfectly into the interior of your home, office or garden.

Lighting

Schaeffler comes from regions with a lot of sunshine. Caring for a houseplant at home involves the creation of dimmed or indirect lighting. You can protect the sheffler on the windowsills with the help of adjustable blinds or roller blinds. Using safety measures will limit the flower from the effects of extreme heat and direct sunlight, which can cause foliage burns and dry the soil excessively.

High indoor temperatures do not affect schaeffler as these plants are native to warm temperate and tropical areas. However, extreme swings or exposure to cold drafts can cause a number of illnesses. Sheflera at home retains its decorative effect best in warm greenhouses or closed loggias.

Watering and humidity

Schaeffler prefers a uniformly humid environment. During active growth, the plant should be watered regularly. In winter, it is necessary to prevent the drainage of the earthen coma and moisten the soil as needed.

If there is too much liquid in the flowerpot without drainage, it is urgent to take action - drain the remaining water from the pan. If this does not help, you need to change the soil. Otherwise, inaction will lead to many pathogenic diseases and problems with the vegetative growth of the flower. Leaves that turn black and fall off are the first sign of overwatering. Insufficient amount of liquid leads to twisting of the tips of the leaves.

Prolonged exposure to indoors with cool temperatures or drafts causes rapid drying of the soil. If the temperature cannot be adjusted for the schaeffler, for example in an office, more frequent watering needs to be taken care of.

Transplant Features

How to transplant a sheffler? The process of changing soil and container includes:

Transplanting cheflers into a larger container.

1. Careful inspection of the shefflers for the degree of need for replanting the plant. Roots on the surface of the soil are a clear sign that the plant needs a larger pot.
2. The new container should be filled with fresh soil.
3. The houseplant must be carefully removed from the flower pot and placed in a large container.
4. Carefully add and level the soil around the base of the plant.
5. Water the flower generously.
6. The optimal place for growing shefflers in the house is the southeast or southwest side of the building.
7. Feeding should begin no earlier than two weeks after transplantation.

How to cut a flower correctly

To maintain the desired shape in the form of a tree, it is necessary to cut the stems directed closer to the ground. To create a shrub structure, long side branches should be removed. To do this, using sharp scissors, it is necessary to cut each stem above the leaves. To remove the entire stem, you need to make a neat side cut at the base.

Shaping the shefleur structure with regular pruning.

To thin out the plant or give the desired size, you can cut the side shoots on the main stems.

Remove dead foliage or damaged stems at any time during the year. The entire damaged area should be cut at the very base of the stem.

Prune only healthy plants. Until the condition of the flower improves, pruning of a weakened or diseased crop should be avoided.

Sheffler outdoors

Outdoor care for sheflera does not differ from the requirements of a plant indoors. The only feature in caring for a sheflera on the site is a large number of preventive measures against pests and various diseases.

For good outdoor care, you should clean the leaves of dust and debris, as well as periodically water the plant. In this way, the chefler will create a denser shape for the branches. The plant can become the main decorative decoration of the site, but only for one season as an annual.

The minimum temperature for the plant is +16 degrees. Cold air and the first frosts will destroy the flower. Therefore, it is preferable to grow a crop in tubs and take it out to an open area in the summer. With the onset of cold weather, you should move the flowerpot to the greenhouse or conservatory.

Scheffler in the natural environment.

Container Growing Basics

Soil for shefflers

As a soil, you can choose a ready-made mixture for palm crops or cook it yourself. Take sand and humus in equal parts. Mix with leafy and soddy soil. Be sure to provide drainage. From improvised means, foam plastic, crushed stone and sand are suitable. You can buy expanded clay or a special filler in garden stores.

How to choose a container

To choose the right flowerpot, you need to inspect the plant. A sufficiently large sheffler must be planted in a large container. It should be noted that with each subsequent transplant, the pot should be changed to a capacity that exceeds the size of the previous flowerpot by at least 5 cm. To maintain the integrity of the root system, it is necessary to use the technique of transshipment of a dense plant with large branches.

Feeding technique

Fertilize the plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during vegetative growth. You can also choose an alternative option - apply half of the recommended portion of bioregulators when watering every 2-3 weeks.

A prerequisite for successful top dressing is moist soil. To normalize the development of the plant, you can spray fertilizer on the foliage. Zircon and Epion are used as sprayers.

Typical Sheffler Problems

Bacterial diseases

Pseudomonas aeruginosa leaf spot (pathogen - Pseudomonas aeruginosa) appears, as a rule, on the edges of the leaves of the dwarf shefflera. Initially, small water spots appear. Then they merge, turn black and lead to a sharp fall of the leaf.

Defeat shefflera fungal disease.

Black bacterial spot affects the entire surface of the leaves. Yellowish punctate lesions form dotted lines. Then they increase between the veins of the leaf and affect the entire stem. As a rule, cause the complete fall of the leaves.

fungal diseases

There are two main fungal diseases of Schefflera. The fungus Alternatia causes leaf spot in the form of large brown or black spots with yellow halos that can spread throughout the foliage in just a few days. Poor quality or infected planting material may be stale. As a result, the phytophthora fungus develops. Leaf spot caused by Phytophthora resembles Alternatia with one difference - the lower leaves are infected first.

For prevention, you can use fungicides and broad-spectrum bactericides. It should be remembered that the plant is very sensitive to chemical damage. Therefore, you must strictly follow the instructions. How to save a sheflera from bacterial and fungal infections? The disease spreads very quickly on wet leaf surfaces, so a simple preventative measure is to keep the foliage dry.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap. They are usually white or gray in color, covered with a waxy substance. They attack the leaves, stems, and sometimes the roots of the plant. The male representatives of the mealybugs have wings, the females do not.

Small populations of mealybugs can be easily washed off the plant with soap and water. Larger colonies should be controlled with insecticides.

spider mite

Sheflera is sensitive to mites, tiny arachnids that are almost impossible to spot. These eight-legged pests attack the underside of leaves, sucking juice from healthy veins. Early symptoms of spider mite damage include tiny white dots on the underside of leaves or small yellow-brown blotchy spots. As a result, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off.

Infected plants should be avoided indoors, and sheffler should be treated immediately to prevent spread. With a few treatments of insecticidal soap or acaricides on both sides of the leaves of the plant, the spider mite can be killed.

Aphid

Insects can be yellow, bright green, brown or white. They attack the delicate tissues of the plant, including leaves and stems, and suck out the juice. Causes yellowing of foliage. Inaction causes rapid reproduction of insects, which stops the further development of the plant.

Aphids leave characteristic traces on the stems, which are attracted by soot fungus. From the mold, the whole flower becomes black in color. An infected crop can be treated with an insecticidal agent.

Negative reactions to sheffler

Shefflera breeding can cause an itchy rash. Some flower growers have experienced cases of temporary swelling. The plant belongs to the poisonous representatives of the flora and can lead not only to dermatitis, but also to irritation of the mucous membranes.

Take care of the plant carefully with the help of protective equipment - gloves and a respirator. To relieve an allergic reaction, you must take an antihistamine.

reproduction

Shefflera can be propagated using seeds, layering and stem cuttings.

Sheffler from cuttings

Stem cuttings taken from a healthy plant will reproduce an exact copy of the culture. Growing a flower from cuttings is quite simple:

1. Wear protective gloves before touching the plant. Make a side cut 5 to 8 cm below the leaves of the stem. The incision should be made in such a way that two fully formed leaves remain on the branch. It is not recommended to choose old stems placed at the bottom of the plant.
2. Fill the container with new soil.
3. To moisten the soil, it is desirable to use warm water. No need to fill the pot with water. It is enough to carry out periodic watering as the top layer of the earth is drained.
4. Next, you need to make a recess in the pot to accommodate the stem.
5. Pour 1 tablespoon of growth stimulator into a plastic bag and dip the cutting.
6. Place the branch in a pot with moist soil.
7. Cover the flowerpot with transparent plastic or stick a transparent bag on the entire container. Using plastic, you can create a wet miniature greenhouse.
8. Set the planted cutting in a warm room with bright light. Direct sunlight must be avoided.
9. Every day you need to ventilate the flowerpot. For air circulation, periodically open the plastic bag for one to two hours.
10. If the soil surface becomes dry it is necessary to use a water sprayer.
11. After four to six weeks, the development of the root system can be checked. Resistance means the stem has taken root.
12. After the formation of the root system, the plastic should be removed.
13. It is quite simple to continue caring for a new chefler. It is enough to water as the soil drains and keep the delicate plant from drafts and direct sunlight.

Reproduction by seeds

Germination of seeds directly depends on the conditions and terms of storage. Keeping planting material for more than three weeks after collection in a warm room will reduce the likelihood of germination by up to 40%.

To stimulate the seeds, a mixture of vermiculite, ground limestone and liquid fertilizer can be prepared. Before planting, the seeds should be soaked in warm water for 12 hours. The volume of water should exceed the volume of all seeds by 4 times. Heat treatment will shorten germination time by several weeks.

Seeds are sown to a depth of no more than 2 cm. It is necessary to water the soil sufficiently - to make the soil moist, but not damp. Seedlings should be protected from direct sunlight.

How to grow a sheffler with layering

The thick stems of the plant are difficult to root using traditional methods. Therefore, for reproduction it is usually recommended:

Why does shefflera not bloom

In room conditions, the chefler does not bloom. In its natural environment, the culture produces tiny milky and red inflorescences in summer.

planting material

It is more profitable to buy a sheffler in the form of seeds. The average price, for example, for a Janine sheffler is about 20 rubles. Be sure to pay attention to the date of harvest and packaging of the crop.

Schefflera in the style of bonsai.

An adult tub culture of sheflers intertwined (about 160 cm) is estimated at 11 thousand rubles.

"Schefflera arboricola" is a miniature version of "Schefflera radiant". In nature, this evergreen plant reaches 8–9 meters in height (Radiant grows up to 15 meters). Young shoots are green, turning brown as they become woody. Compound leaves consist of 7-9 parts, each of which can reach 20 cm in length and 4 cm in width.

In house plants grows up to 2 meters. Breeders have bred many varieties of this plant, differing in the shape and color of the leaves. Among the popular ones are Gold Chapel (with golden spots on the leaves), Hong Kong, Compacta and others.

A photo

The photo shows the plant with proper care at home:

Home care

Actions after purchase

Young Schefflers are usually sold seated in thin plastic containers with peat or other light substrate. You can give the plant a few days to get used to the new conditions, and then you need to transplant into a larger pot with a thick layer of drainage and suitable soil.

Temperature

Schefflera prefers coolness, the best temperature range for it is 16–22 ° C.

In summer, they feel good in the open air, they can be taken out to the balcony, covering them from the direct rays of the sun.

Too high a temperature harms the plant, causes the leaves to fall, so even in the cold season you should not put a pot with Schefflera near a radiator or heater.

For wintering, it is better to choose a cool room at 14–16 ° C, but not to allow the temperature to fall below 12 ° C.

Lighting

They grow best under diffused but bright light. Direct sun can cause burns on the leaves, so it is best to place the plant on the east or west side.

You can install adjustable shutters on the window to keep the leaves and soil from drying out. If wintering takes place in a warm room where the temperature is above 17-18C, additional lighting will be needed, it is preferable to install fluorescent lamps.

Watering

"Schaeffler" requires uniform watering to maintain soil moisture during the growing season. In winter, watering should be reduced. The soil between waterings can dry out, but you should not allow the roots to dry out or, on the contrary, stagnation of moisture - this can lead to rotting of the roots or infection of the plant.

Blackening leaves are a sure sign of overwatering. A lack of moisture can be identified by wrinkled or curling leaves.

Fertilizer

During the period of active growth (from April to October), you can feed with complex fertilizer for indoor plants every 10-15 days. If desired, you can alternate mineral and organic fertilizers.

Transplant and soil

It is best to transplant Scheffler in the spring, young plants require a transplant every 2 years, and older ones every 4–5 years.

You will need light soil with a slightly acidic reaction.

Ready-made soil for palm trees or a mixture of soddy and leafy soil, sand and humus (2: 1: 1: 1) is suitable.

Particular attention should be paid to the drainage layer - it should occupy at least a quarter of the height of the pot. Expanded clay is suitable as drainage.

After transplanting, you need to give the plant time to get used to the new land. After about a month, you can resume top dressing.

pruning

Rapid growth can be inconvenient when kept in small spaces. If the plant has become too tall, you need to prune by removing the upper part of the shoot with a growing point.

This will give the Sheffler branching a boost and keep it from getting too big. The resulting cutting can be rooted. The best time for pruning is early March.

Interesting! Regularly trimming the tops, you can get a round crown.

If you want to give the plant the shape of a tree, you need to remove the lower side leaves.

reproduction

"Schefflera", growing at home, usually does not bloom and does not produce seeds, therefore, it is propagated by semi-hardened cuttings or air outlets.

The cuttings cut with a sharp knife are placed in a soil substrate of equal parts of sand and peat. To ensure a suitable temperature (about 22 ° C), diffused light and humidity, you need to cover them with a film or place them in a greenhouse. After rooting, the temperature should be reduced to 18 ° C.

You can transplant young plants when their roots envelop the entire earthen ball. In this case, the diameter of the pot should be no more than 9 cm. Low, not higher than 16 ° C, the temperature contributes to better growth.

Air layers can be obtained from a large mature tree by making a cut in the trunk. Sphagnum soaked in a nutrient medium should be placed on the incision and wrapped with a film. Keeping the moss moist, after a few months, you can get roots on the tree trunk.

After that, you need to cut the trunk just below the incision. The remaining part is also likely to give new shoots if cut off at the root and watered regularly. In this way, you can get two plants from one.

Diseases and pests

"Schefflera Treelike" is less susceptible to pest attacks than other species of this plant.

Most often, the Sheffler is attacked by a spider mite.

This happens at low humidity, so for prevention, it is enough to spray the leaves of the plant with a mild soapy solution once a week.

Other insect pests that are not indifferent to the Schefflers are aphids, scale insects, thrips.

All of them are sensitive to modern insecticides.

Excessively wet soil can cause root rot.

To combat the disease, you need to reduce the intensity of irrigation and treat the land with a fungicide solution.

Important! The leaves of "Shefflera" are a kind of monitor of the state of the plant.

So, light spots on them indicate too bright lighting. If the leaves fall in winter, you need to raise the temperature in the room and reduce watering. When falling in the summer, on the contrary, move to a cooler place.

Benefit and harm

"Schefflera Treelike" refers to weakly poisonous plants. However, it is unlikely to harm an adult. As a safety measure, you can wash your hands after cutting the plant and avoid getting its sap in your eyes.

Attention! Owners of small animals and cats should be treated with caution to Scheffler.

At the first signs of poisoning (vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety), you must show your pet to the veterinarian.

In a well-lit, spacious room, Schefflera Arborescens quickly grows into a beautiful tall plant. It is worth giving it a little attention to protect it from drought and pests, and the open palms of the leaves will delight the eye with their bright glossy greens all year round.

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Among lovers of ornamental plants, a small "rosette" tree - shefler is popular. Caring for this flower at home does not require special skills, but in order to maintain its appearance, it is important to follow a number of simple rules.

Sheffler's indoor flower belongs to the Aralievs. In nature, its representatives settle in Australia, Japan, China. Among the genus Scheffler, which has about 600 species, there are mainly low trees, shrubs, and sometimes lianas. Wild species can reach 2 m, indoor ones are much lower. The leaves are of decorative value: complex, divided into several lobes, sitting on long petioles. Because of their shape, the sheffler is popularly called the "umbrella tree". The trunk of young plants is leafy, becoming bare with age.

Blooms only in natural conditions. The inflorescences are elongated, racemose, reminiscent of tentacles. That is why natural varieties are called "octopus tree". All parts of the shefflera are poisonous.

Species and varieties

Among the many types of shefflers in indoor floriculture, the following are cultivated:

1. Radiant. The trunk is erect, strong, grayish-brown, grows up to 80 cm. Petioles are brownish-reddish; leaves are green, may have up to 16 lobes. Based on it, the "Compact" variety was developed with variegated leaves and sizes more suitable for home conditions.
2. Tree-like, which is sometimes called "Abricola" (schefflera arboricola). A compact plant, shaped like a branched tree. The leaves are large, up to 20 cm long, bright green. Variegated varieties have been bred, for example, Janine: its leaves are creamy, with chaotic dark green spots.
3. Schefflera is the most elegant. Compact, up to 50 cm, plant with serrated leaves, sometimes decorated with cream edging.

On the basis of natural species (mainly variegated shefflers), varieties designed specifically for indoor floriculture have been bred. The most popular among them are:

1. Scheffler Melanie. The leaves are medium-sized, golden in color, sometimes with green patches.
2. Scheffler Gold Capella. The leaves are glossy, fleshy, golden olive in color, sometimes green at the edges. To maintain variegation, it needs bright diffused light all year round.
3. Sheffler Nora. It differs in the original form of dark green leaves: the lobes are long, narrow, with large, unequal teeth. A yellow edging stands out along the edges; vein is lighter in color. Unpretentious, densely leafy and elegant variety.
4. Scheffler Bianca. The shape of the leaves is similar to the previous variety, but they are shorter, with a white border around the edge.
5. Scheffler Louisiana. An elegant plant with leathery shiny leaves of bright green color with yellow or white speckles. The central vein is clearly visible. The variety is undemanding to the conditions of detention.

How to care for a shefflera at home

Caring for a sheflera at home requires compliance with the rules of agricultural technology aimed at recreating "native" tropical conditions.

Lighting and temperature conditions

The need for light depends on the type of shefflera. In variegated forms, it is higher; window sills of western or eastern orientation will be optimal for them. Plants with plain leaves feel great even on northern windows. Excess light, and even more so direct sunlight, harm the sheffler. In the warm season, you can take the tree out into the fresh air, choosing a shaded place for it. In winter, it is desirable to have artificial lighting. If it is not there, the pot is moved to the southern window sills.

The optimum temperature for an umbrella tree is 18-25 degrees. It is easier for him to endure the summer heat in the open air. In winter, the temperature can drop to 15 degrees. During this period, the sheffler is placed away from the batteries and protected from cold drafts.

Air humidity

Like all araliaceae, shefflera needs high humidity. In summer, the leaves are sprayed daily. You can place the pot on a pallet with wet sand, expanded clay or sphagnum, which will preserve the beauty of the leaves throughout the hot period. With a decrease in temperature, the number of sprays is reduced; if in winter the sheffler is kept at 15-18 degrees, then they stop completely.

Watering and fertilizing

Sheffler is watered moderately, allowing the top layer of soil to dry out. The plant responds negatively to both excess and lack of moisture. Soft rain or spring water is used, in extreme cases, tap water can be defended. Before use, it must be heated to 30-35 degrees.

Sheffler is fed from March to October twice a month. It is advisable to alternate mineral and organic fertilizers. The dosage is reduced by half of the recommended.

In winter, watering is reduced, without bringing the earthen coma to complete drying. Top dressing is stopped altogether, as is spraying. Flower care in winter is no different. Sheffler pruning is not needed.

reproduction

If care does not cause problems, then the reproduction of shefflers may be beyond the strength of novice flower growers. It propagates in several ways: cuttings, layering and seeds.

To successfully root cuttings, you need:

1. Cut off strong healthy tops 7-10 cm long with a sharp knife.
2. Soak them in a solution of any stimulant (Heteroauxin, Epin, Succinic acid) for several hours.
3. Prepare small containers with drainage holes, lay a layer of expanded clay on the bottom.
4. Fill containers with a mixture of sand and peat (1:1).
5. Plant cuttings, carefully water the soil.

After planting, the containers are placed in greenhouse conditions. It is important to air the seedlings daily. The temperature in greenhouses should be kept within 20-23 degrees. For successful rooting, it is desirable to provide seedlings with bottom heating. Central heating batteries are not suitable for this purpose. Sheflera leaf does not reproduce.

Roots appear in about a month. After the young plants grow a pair of new leaves, they can be transplanted into cramped pots (0.25-0.35 l) and placed in a permanent place. Experienced flower growers are advised to plant several cuttings in one pot; they can even be intertwined.

Growing roots on cuttings is similar to propagating by cuttings, with the difference that the young plant does not separate from the mother until it grows its own roots.

To get layering, a shallow incision is made on the trunk of an adult plant 7-10 cm below the top. Then it is wrapped in wet sphagnum and wrapped in a plastic bag. The package is fixed at the top and bottom with a thread or wire. This is done to create a greenhouse effect. Moss is constantly kept moist. After the appearance of air roots, the stalk is cut off, planted in a sand-peat mixture and placed in a greenhouse for several weeks.

Sheffler from seeds is one of the easiest, albeit requiring patience, methods of reproduction. Seed material can be purchased at specialized flower shops. It is problematic to get it on your own, since the umbrella tree does not bloom in room conditions.

Before planting, the seeds are soaked for several hours in a solution of Epin, Zircon or any other stimulant. Landing tanks should be deep. A layer of drainage is laid in them, covered with a mixture of peat and sand, moistened. Seeds are planted in holes 0.5 cm deep. The containers are placed in greenhouse conditions. Preferably with underfloor heating.

After the emergence of seedlings, greenhouses begin to air daily. After the appearance of 2-3 leaves, the seedlings dive into separate containers using the same soil mixture that was used during planting. Seedlings are kept in greenhouse conditions, sprayed and aired daily, until they are strong and ready to be transplanted into permanent pots.

Transfer

Young plants are transplanted annually, as they grow intensively. Adult shefflers do not tolerate this procedure well, so they are transferred to large containers only as needed, that is, once every 2-3 years.

The optimal soil for sheflera should contain 2 parts of sod land and 1 part of peat and sand. You can purchase the appropriate mixture in flower shops. The first pot is selected so that 3-4 cm remain from the trunk to the sides. Each next container should be 2-3 cm larger.

Sheflera transplantation is carried out as follows:

• a layer of drainage and fresh soil is laid in a new container;
• the plant is removed along with an earthen clod, trying not to violate its integrity;
• set in a prepared pot so that the trunk does not have to be buried;
• pour soil on the sides, lightly tamping it;
• watered abundantly.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to transplant the chefler "out of time", for example, if she began to rot. In this case, the root system is completely freed from the soil. Rotted areas are cut off, sprinkling cuts with crushed charcoal or activated charcoal; you can withstand the roots in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or Fundazole.

The plant is planted in a container that is closer than the previous one. In the composition of the soil, the proportion of sand is increased. After planting, be sure to place the sheffler in a greenhouse, treating her like a cutting.

Growing problems

Schefflera can be affected by scale insects, mealybugs and spider mites. The scale insect is easy to recognize at the initial stage of infection by sticky spots on the leaves. Soon the foliage begins to turn yellow, and only then adult females appear on the plant - small brownish tubercles. Shchitovka is a dangerous and "tenacious" pest that can quickly occupy not only the infected, but also neighboring plants. Do not start the fight by washing the leaves with soap, alcohol - these tips are only good as a concomitant remedy. The main one should be repeated spraying with systemic insecticides.

A tick infestation can be judged by a thin cobweb on the leaves. The upper leaves begin to lag behind in development, the growth point is inhibited. When the first signs appear, treat the sheffler several times with any acaricide, for example, Neoron. It is important to observe an interval of 7 days between sprayings.

Common sheflera diseases are stem and root rot. They appear with excessive watering, especially in the cool season. Transplantation will help to reanimate the plant with the removal of all rotten parts. It is important to treat sections with crushed coal or fungicides. In advanced cases, they try to save at least the upper part by re-rooting it.

Sometimes the condition of shefflera worsens due to violations of agricultural technology.

Schefflera is a tropical plant that rarely blooms at home, but has leaves of interesting shape. Scheffler was named after the famous botanist Scheffler. How to properly care for and propagate a chefler at home, why the “vampire” is kind and brings happiness and prosperity to the house - we will consider in the article.

Types of cheflers

In the wild, there are about 200 varieties of plants. Let us dwell only on those that are grown in room conditions.

• sheflera eight-leaf. The most common plant. It represents a bushy form with leaves that look like outstretched fingers. The shape of each leaflet is lanceolate, with lighter veins than the leaf itself. The height of the plant is small, up to 50 cm. There are varieties with variegated leaves. If there are several seedlings in one pot, they form a lush spreading hat;
• sheflera arborescens- has the shape of a small tree, with green or spotted leaves extending from the trunk. It is desirable to have a support for this species that will support and guide a thin trunk;
• sheflera radiata- has, most often, 7 leaves and grows in the form of a small tree. The color of the leaves is predominantly green;
• shefler business- the height of the plant in room conditions is no more than 40-45 cm, it has an interesting and larger oak leaf shape. The color of the leaves can be either green or spotted.

Landing cheflers

If you bought the plant in a peat-based nutrient medium, it needs to be transplanted into a pot with drainage at the bottom and palm nutrient medium. Landing is carried out by transshipment. Nutrient soil can be made independently from soddy soil and peat, sand, humus, leafy soil. The ratio of sod land to the sum of all other parts is 1:1. The soil should be light. After planting, the plant needs to be well watered.

Care for a chefler at home

The plant is unpretentious and is often placed in office premises (a beautiful and neat tree or bush is in harmony with the working environment). But, nevertheless, it is important to know the basic rules of care and some features of the plant.

Watering

Like any plant in the tropics, she loves moderate watering, as the topsoil dries out. In summer, the plant is watered every 2-4 days, depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment, in winter - once every 10-12 days. Sheflera needs periodic spraying with soft, slightly cool water. You can put a container with a plant in a small pan with water or moistened moss. The plant will absorb the required amount of moisture through the drainage hole and leaves.

top dressing

The plant needs a complex of vitamins and minerals, which will give it the opportunity to grow and develop. This will help top dressing with any complex mineral fertilizer for decorative leafy plants. Top dressing is carried out through watering or spraying the leaves. In summer 2 times a month, in winter - 1 time.

pruning

If you want to get a spherical version of the plant, you need to cut off the top with a sharp knife at a height of 4-5 internodes. The plant will gradually take on a given shape. In order not to cause harm, pruning is carried out in stages. If you want to grow a neat tree, carry out the same pruning of side shoots and leaves that stand out too much.

Transfer

If you purchased a young plant, it should be transplanted once a year according to the method specified in paragraph 2. An adult plant is transplanted every few years by transshipment if the soil is depleted and the bush has grown greatly. It is also necessary to transplant the chefler if the roots become visible through the drainage hole. This means that the pot is too small for her.

Reproduction of cheflers

You can get new plants in 3 ways:

• cuttings;
• seeds;
• air outlets.

The first 2 breeding methods for cheflers are available to beginner flower growers, the third one requires some experience, therefore it is not very common.

When forming the crown of a plant or spring pruning, the cuttings are treated with Kornevin or crushed coal, planted in small containers with nutrient soil and drainage. From above, the cutting is closed with a bag to create optimal conditions for germination. After their rooting, the plants are planted in pots. The survival rate of cuttings is high.

If the sheflera is propagated by seeds, they must be soaked in any growth stimulator and placed in a mixture of peat and sand in a ratio of 1: 1, lightly sprinkled with earth. The container is also closed with a bag and removed only for ventilation. In the phase of the second true leaf, the cuttings are seated.

When layering is obtained, an incision is made at the junction of the leaves with the stem with a sharp knife and this place is wrapped with wet moss. After some time, the appearance of roots is observed. When a good shoot is formed, it is carefully separated from the mother plant and planted. The difficulty of this method is that an illiterate incision can damage the plant.

flowering sheflers

As mentioned above, sheflera in room color is rare. This is due to the necessary balance of air humidity and intense lighting, which is difficult to create in an apartment.

If flowering occurs, then the flowers are paniculate inflorescences of yellow color from small flowers. Flowering comes in summer.

Diseases and pests

Sheflera diseases are most often associated with improper care:

• with excessive watering, the leaves may turn yellow and fall off;
• with excessive dryness, the plant fades, spots appear on the leaves, and they become lethargic;
• improper watering or contaminated soil can provoke the appearance of aphids and mites.

If the cause of the disease is an excess or lack of moisture, it is necessary to normalize watering and place the plant in a lit place. After a while, it will take its original forms.

If you notice pests on the leaves of a flower or in the soil, you need to treat the chefler with an insecticide and place it in a bag for several days. Repeat if necessary. Be sure to isolate the flower from other plants.

Signs

"Good vampire", although it refers to plants with poisonous juice, normalizes the energy of the house. It is believed that it absorbs only negative energy, thus cleansing the home.

By placing the plant in the bedroom, you harmonize relationships and normalize the energy flow. If the plant withers, which is associated with falling or yellowing of the foliage, the atmosphere in the house is far from positive and harmonious.

If the plant quickly started to grow - wait for an addition to the family.

Sheflera's magical properties

It is no coincidence that sheflera is used as an office plant. In addition to a neat and strict look, unpretentious care, she is able to attract money, good luck, good partners and customers. According to the state of the flower in the office, one can in some way speak about the state of affairs in the company.

"Good vampire" - a chefler in a house or office not only normalizes the situation, but promotes harmony between spouses and the development of normal relations in a business setting.