A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2005 VERY tall schefflera

My schefflera is about 22 years old and way too tall...over 12 feet. I am told I can air layer and start another shorter plant. I do not want to kill my old friend! Neither do I want to lose most of the leaves to shock (leaves from top to bottom, only lose 2-3 a year).

If I air layer, will I then have 2 stalks like I see in plants at restaurants and doctors offices who look sorely neglected and "chopped off?"

Thanks for any suggestions.

When mine gets too big, I just cut way back to about a foot above the soil. That stimulates good new growth, especially if you fertilize. The last time I pruned, I had 3 main stalks. I now have 4 main stalks and 4 smaller side branches and it looks great. I set it outside on the west side of my house in the summer. It really likes that. It only gets full sun for about an hour and a half around noon as there is a huge oak tree on that side of my house.

I've never tried air layering, as I get a full sized plant much quicker by using this method.

think one of my plants at work may be a schefflera does anyone have a good picture of this. The one at my job is very big and has many branches that are stretching out into one of the cubicules. It also has a braided trunk, and has developed into a tree. As soon as i can get a picture I will post it here. I am afraid to touch it as far as pruning goes because I do not know what I am doing and I do not want to kill it. I am very new to taking care of plants but I am developing a real love for plants, and am willing to learn.

I've cut mine back with no problem, I didn't know it could be done until the kids broke it off while acting around, now it is thicker. I've cut it again.

So Should I just cut off the branch that looks the weakest. there is 1 side where the leaves are very droopy. i will be brave and give it a whirl, or should I say chop.

You can cut it back no problem. Then, you can take the cutting, cut that into 3-4 inch sections and root them in water to start new plants! I did that to a 10-15 year old one I have and started 4 new plants.

Happy holidays!


Tom

Thanks Tom,
I chopped it and I am trying to root them now. we will see how it goes for me.

I put the bottom one inch of them in water, when you see little bumps emerg they are the roots starting to form. Once they get about an inch long pot up in a good draining potting soil and keep moist.

Tom

Whenever I prune my scheff, I just place the cuttings directly into the same soil as the parent plant where they usually root without additional attention.

BTW, Myrna, are you still looking for schleff photos?

Cricket

I have finally taken pictures of the plants at work and at my house so as soon as I get them developed I will try to post them here. I think that I have identified them correctly, but won't know until I can get on here. Since I had cut the tree back I have seen lots of new leaves This makes me proud because the plants were dying before I wish had pictures of them a few months back, but they are still not thriving yet just starting to recover. thanks to all the advice