Scheffler. Description and care of the Schefflera flower. Recommendations for caring for the Schefflera arborescens plant at home description
Schefflera (Shefflera), ( lat. Schefflera) - genus of plant family Araliaceae.
Named after the 18th century German botanist Jacob Christian Scheffler ( German Jacob Christian Scheffler). Shefflera's homeland is territory Southeast Asia, Hawaii, Taiwan.
Representatives of the genus are shrubs, vines and trees that can reach 1.5-2.5 meters in height.
The leaves are complex, dissected into 4-12 lobes, resembling a palm with widely spread fingers. With age, the tree trunk becomes bare, the leaves remain only at the top. In some countries, shefflera is called "tree - umbrella", because the bases of the leaf lobes emerge from one point, like the spokes of an open umbrella. Inflorescences are paniculate or racemose.
IN natural conditions Shefflera height can reach 40 m. In indoors it can grow up to 2 m. room conditions Schefflera blooms extremely rarely. But in the wild it blooms beautifully and even bears fruit! In our country, only old specimens bloom in equipped greenhouses.
Scheffler– very impressive ornamental plant, which is grown for its beautiful decorative leaves. It looks good in spacious, bright rooms, offices, and winter gardens.
To limit the growth and formation of a tree, the plant can be pruned as necessary. Schefflera grows well in hydroponics. Schefflera makes excellent bonsai!
The genus Schefflera includes up to 200 plant species.
Types of shefflera
. Very spectacular look, which is characterized by an unusual type of leaf arrangement. On cream drooping petioles there are 8-12 leaves of an elongated lanceolate shape, 30-40 cm long and 10 cm wide, with a pointed tip. The leaves are shiny, leathery, young ones are olive green, old ones are light green; the veins are lighter than the main leaf tissue. The underside is matte, pale green.
. A low tree with an erect branching stem. Young branches are green; in older plants they become light brown. Unlike other species, the leaves are imparipinnately compound, up to 20 cm long. It has a number of varieties.
Variety Gold Capella- reminds appearance palm trees, green leaves decorated with a scattering of small yellow spots.
Variety Amate attracts attention with shiny bright green leaves. This is one of the most pest-resistant varieties. Satisfied with low lighting levels.
Schefflera radiata
or star-leaved (stellate) (Schefflera actinophylla)
. The most famous and widespread species in culture. It has a powerful, erect trunk with a thickened base (caudex) of grayish-brown color. The petioles are very long, reddish-brown. The leaves are palmately compound, consisting of 7 ovate leaflets with a slightly wavy edge. The leaf blades are shiny, bright green in the original form. Sometimes in the middle part they are so wide that the edges of adjacent leaves overlap. The vein is lighter than the main leaf tissue.
Numerous varieties are available.
Variety Green Gold- leaves are golden yellow.
Variety Nova- attracts attention by the similarity of the very long, jagged, shiny leaves with oak leaves. Their color is olive-yellow-green.
. Synonyms: Aralia schefflera . The species is native to New Zealand. Low, 3-8 m tall trees. The leaves are palm-shaped, dissected into 7-10 lobes, 15-35 cm long; lobes lanceolate, 6-8 cm long and 4-6 cm wide, oblong pointed, thin, parchment-shaped, old ones serrated at the edges, young ones unevenly lobed or pinnate. The petiole is cylindrical, 7-20 cm long. The flowers are small (6-8 mm wide), 4-8 in number, in umbellate inflorescences.
Shefflera care
Lighting. Schefflera needs bright, diffused lighting. The plant should be shaded from direct sun, but the plant can tolerate some amount of direct sun (but in summer period exposing the plant to direct midday sunlight can cause burns). Best suited for windows with western and eastern exposure. Can be grown near a north window (but green-leaved varieties are better suited for this location - variegated varieties need more light).
In winter, the sheffler needs to be provided with as much light as possible. If the plant overwinters at temperatures above 18°C, it is advisable to illuminate it with fluorescent lamps.
In summer, you can take the plant outside open air, providing it with protection from direct sunlight.
Temperature. In summer, Schefflera is kept at a temperature of about 20°C; the plant is favorably affected by a decrease in night temperature. Minimum temperature in winter time is 12°C, optimal temperature for the plant during this period 14-16°C. The plant should not be placed near heating appliances.
Watering. Water the Schefflera in spring-summer period moderately, a day or two after top layer the substrate will dry with soft, settled water. Do not allow the earthen clod to dry out. In winter, watering is limited. At all times, overwatering and acidification of the soil are very dangerous for shefflera. The soil temperature should not be lower than the air temperature, so it is necessary to water it with water at room temperature.
Air humidity. Schefflera prefers high air humidity. The plant needs regular spraying with settled soft water at room temperature. The container with shefflera can be placed on a tray with wet expanded clay or peat.
It is especially desirable to increase air humidity for plants that overwinter at high temperatures.
Fertilizer. Feed Schefflera during the active growing season (from spring to autumn) 2 times a month with universal fertilizer for indoor plants.
Pruning greatly reduces decorative qualities plants, therefore, to create the effect of a bush, several sheffleras are often planted in one pot.
Transfer. Schefflera is replanted once every two years, in the spring, into a pot significantly larger than the previous one. The soil for replanting is light, slightly acidic (pH about 6). A mixture of turf and humus soil with sand (2:1:1) is suitable. The bottom of the pot must provide good drainage. The plant is suitable for growing hydroponically.
Reproduction. Schefflera is quite difficult to reproduce. Propagated by seeds, cuttings and air layering.
Propagation by seeds. Seeds are sown in January-February. To sow seeds, use peat and sand mixed in equal parts, or use a substrate consisting of light turf, leaf soil and sand in equal parts. Be sure to disinfect the soil before planting seeds. You can first soak the schefflera seeds in warm water with the addition of epin or zircon. The thickness of the embedding is equal to two sizes of the seed. The substrate is watered or moistened with a spray bottle and placed in a warm place. Maintain temperature within 20-24°C. Periodically spray and ventilate the container with seeds. Using a mini-greenhouse with bottom heating improves the percentage of seed germination. When the seedlings have two or three leaves, they are planted in pots and kept for the first three months at a temperature of 18-20°C. After the young plants have entwined their roots around the entire earthen ball, they are transplanted into pots 7-9 cm in diameter and kept in a well-lit place with an air temperature of 14-16°C. Young plants grow well and by autumn they are transferred into 10-12 cm pots. A substrate for young plants is used consisting of turf, leaf soil and sand (2:1:1).
Propagation by cuttings . Before planting, semi-lignified cuttings are treated with root formation stimulants (heteroauxin, succinic acid, radifarm) and planted in a mixture of peat and sand (1:1). Place containers with cuttings on the bottom heating (on the radiator central heating placement is not recommended). Maintain temperature within 20-22°C. Periodically spray and ventilate the container. Cover with polyethylene and provide diffuse lighting. After the cuttings take root, they are kept at a temperature of 18-20°C. When the young plants have entwined their roots around the entire earthen ball, they are transplanted into pots 7-9 cm in diameter and kept in a well-lit place with an air temperature of 14-16°C.
Reproduction by air layering. Large specimens can be propagated by air layering. To do this, in the spring, make a shallow cut on the trunk, wrap it with damp sphagnum moss, soaked in phytohormone or nutrient solution(1 g of complex fertilizer per 1 liter of water), and cover with film on top. Moss is always kept moist (that is, moistened as it dries). After a few months, roots appear at the site of the cut.
About two months after the roots have formed, the top with roots is cut off below the formation of roots and planted in a separate pot. The remaining trunk is not thrown away, even if there are no leaves on it. It is cut off almost to the root. The stump from the old plant must continue to be watered (you can cover it with moistened moss), perhaps it will produce shoots that will grow well, and you will have another specimen of the plant.
Precautions
All parts of Schefflera are slightly poisonous and can cause contact dermatitis.
Possible difficulties
In summer when conditions are too hot or in winter when temperatures are low and there is excess moisture leaves may fall.
With a lack of light leaves become faded, and in case of its excess light spots appear on the leaves.
With a constant excess of moisture in the soil the roots rot.
In dry air or insufficient watering the tips of the leaves turn brown.
Damaged
Useful properties of shefflera
Schefflera improves the environmental situation in the house, saturates the air with oxygen, air ions, ozone, and increases air humidity.
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Description:
Schefflera is a very beautiful, unpretentious tall decorative foliage plant in the form of a tree or bush. Sheffler flowers are inconspicuous, small, collected in inflorescences and you almost never see them when growing this plant in a room. But with such large, spectacular palmate leaves, you can successfully do without flowers. There are many varieties of Scheffler with leaves of different shapes and colors. You can often find on sale seeds and adult specimens of Schefflera actinophilla with leathery, shiny green leaves up to 30 cm long. The plant itself can reach 1.5-2.5 in height. There are Scheffler varieties with differently colored leaves, including large yellow spots.
Lighting
Bright diffuse light. Can grow under artificial light
Location
Grows well in cool rooms at 13-14°C, preferably no higher than 20°C, winter minimum 12°C. Schefflera prefers a warm (about 18°C) room all year round.
Watering
Watering should be regular, abundant in spring and summer, moderate and careful in winter. The soil should not dry out or be too wet, because... Schefflera is very sensitive to excessive watering.
Additional humidity
Frequent spraying - loves moist air, because due to large size It is problematic to place Schefflera under the shower, so periodically wash the leaves in a basin.
Care
Scheffler-enough unpretentious plant, not requiring complex care. The most important thing when growing it is proper watering. During the period of active growth, the plant must be fed once every two weeks. mineral fertilizers During the dormant period, it is enough to apply fertilizer once every month and a half. Excessively overgrown ends of the schefflera must be pinched to make the plant bushy. In summer you can take it to fresh air. Leaves can be coated with polish
Reproduction
Schefflera is propagated by cuttings, seeds, and air layering. To root, cut the cutting (be careful, it has poisonous juice) 5-10 cm long, treat with a growth stimulant (heteroauxin, root) and plant in sand. Cover the top plastic bag and place in a bright place without direct sun. The seeds are placed in light fertile soil to a depth of 0.5 cm. The container is covered with glass and placed in a warm place. Shoots appear in 2-3 weeks. Young plants are usually planted 3-4 per pot for greater decorative effect.
Transfer
Every two years in the spring, if necessary in the spring. Soil mixture for adult plants - turf, leaf, humus soil and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1.
Possible difficulties
The main danger for scheffleras is spider mites and scale insects. If improperly cared for, spots appear on the leaves.
Schefflera or Schefflera(Schefflera) from the Araliaceae family unites more than 150 species of evergreen trees, shrubs and vines. Breeders have bred decorative deciduous miniature trees and lush shrubs, adapted for growing at home, as well as in a greenhouse, in winter garden and in open ground for decorating gardens or personal plots. The decorative value of the plant lies in its special beauty large leaves, the complex plates of which are dissected into lobes diverging in different directions from one point on a long petiole. This finger-dissected shape of the leaf blade is very reminiscent of an open palm, and in some countries the schefflera is still called the umbrella of gnomes, umbrella tree or an umbrella tree. Caring for the unpretentious sheflera at home is quite simple, provided you follow certain rules for growing indoor decorative foliage plants. Photos of popular indoor varieties You will find these miniature trees or shrubs below in this material.
At home, Schefflera blooms extremely rarely. But some decorative deciduous varieties bloom quite regularly in greenhouses. Small flowers white collected in elongated racemes or paniculate inflorescences.
- photo: inflorescence with small flowers
Some indoor plant lovers grow schefflera in the form of a lush bush or tree, similar to home topiary. With regular pruning, this solitaire plant can be easily transformed, forming a trunk and crown as easily as the popular Ficus Benjamin. For example, Schefflera arboricola (Schefflera arboricola, Heptapleurum arboricola) will fit perfectly into the interior of a modern office, as well as living space, as a floor (tub) or even table plant. Bonsai is easily formed from Schefflera arborescens. In addition, this miniature tree is not as whimsical as a bonsai from a domestic azalea or from a blooming fuchsia. Non-lignified shoots begin to be formed using thin wire, then branching shoots are regularly cut off so that the trunk of the tree is decorated with a lush crown. To make the bonsai trunk look thicker, it is formed from several intertwined stems. Phytodesigners often use shefflera to create home floral compositions along with such popular indoor plants as Dracaena Marghinata, flowering Kalanchoe, Money tree (Crassula), Dollar tree (Zamioculcas), tree-like yucca, Hamedorea palm, Monstera with pinnately dissected leaves.
- photo: shefflera bonsai
Another popular type for home grown- Schefflera octophylla with luxurious elliptical palmate leaves on drooping petioles, which consist of 5-16 “fingers” lobes. The color of the leaves can be either uniformly green or variegated - with yellowish or white streaks, streaks and spots. When forming floral composition against the backdrop of these lush bush-like plants, unpretentious flowering indoor plants will look interesting - phalaenopsis or dendrobium orchid, Saintpaulia house violets, geranium pelargonium, tuberous begonia, hibiscus Chinese rose, gerbera, hydrangea.
♦ WHAT IS IMPORTANT!
Location and lighting.
The best option is to place the pot with the plant on the window sill on the east or west side. If the shefflera is already tall enough, then you can place the pot next to the window on a wooden stand. Variegated varieties can be placed on south-facing windows so that the pattern on the leaves is more pronounced. But be sure to protect the plant from direct sunlight and shade the window glass in the spring and summer. In autumn and winter it is advisable to place it next to room cheflera phyto-lamps for artificial lighting to save decorative look leaves.
Temperature conditions.
Autumn and winter comfortable temperature for shefflera - 16-19°C, but lowering the temperature to 12°C will not harm the plant. In spring and summer, the plant will feel comfortable at a temperature of 17-24°C. Small temperature changes during the day are quite acceptable and even have a beneficial effect on the development of indoor plants. But be sure to protect the sheflera from drafts, and also keep it away from heated heating devices.
Air humidity.
The optimal air humidity is high (50-60%). But sheflera quickly adapts to moderate humidity levels. Spray the plant with warm, settled water once every 3-4 days, and on hot summer days - every day, additionally wiping the leaves with a damp soft sponge. At the end of spring and summer, you can place a pot of shefflera on a tray with wet expanded clay, and place a container filled with water next to it to maintain the optimal humidity level.
Watering.
Water for irrigation is soft, well-settled and warm. In autumn and winter, water the plant very sparingly, avoiding overwatering. In spring and summer, water regularly, not allowing the earthen ball to dry out, but also not over-moistening the soil. Pour out all excess water that flows into the pan to prevent moisture from stagnating around the roots.
Earth mixture and fertilizing.
Slightly acidic earth mixture you can make it yourself by mixing humus, sod land and clean sand in equal parts. For variegated varieties, you can make a mixture of humus soil, fibrous peat and river sand (3:1:1)
Fertilizing should be applied once every two weeks during the growing season. You can feed with a solution of universal fertilizer for decorative indoor plants.
Transfer.
Choose a pot for transplanting sheffleras that is spacious enough, adding to the bottom drainage layer broken bricks or expanded clay. Up to three years, replant the shefflera annually, and an adult plant once every 2-3 years. The best time for transplantation is mid-spring.
Reproduction.
Indoor Schefflera varieties can be propagated by seeds, air layering and cuttings.
To sow seeds, use a mixture of peat and sand in a wide container. Before the procedure, you can soak the seeds in water with dissolved Epin. Optimal time for sowing - mid-winter. We moisten the substrate from a spray bottle with warm, settled water and cover with a glass container or cellophane. Spray and ventilate the substrate with water once a day. Pick into separate pots only after several leaves appear on the seedlings.
To propagate by cuttings you need sharp knife cut off a slightly woody cutting and keep it in a solution with a root formation stimulator. Root in a mixture of peat and sand. The container must be covered with a translucent plastic bag.
Schefflera or Schefflera belongs to the Araliaceae family. Under natural conditions, this plant is found in the tropics all over the world, especially often in China, Japan, Australia and the Pacific Islands. In nature, representatives of this genus are bushes or small trees.
Schefflera is valued in indoor culture for the beauty of its leaves - they look like a palm with widely spaced fingers. The complex leaf blades are dissected into 4-12 lobes, growing from one point on a long petiole. In many countries the plant is called the umbrella tree or gnomes' umbrella.
Schefflera inflorescences are racemose, elongated, similar to antennas or tentacles. You can only see them in botanical garden, since the plant does not bloom at home. It is valued because beautiful leaves and the graceful shape of the entire plant.
Schefflera, like ficus benjamina, can be grown as a large indoor plant.
- tapeworm, formed in the form of a tree or large bush.
Its shoots are thin and long; young specimens are sometimes planted several in a pot, forming a common intertwined stem. The only tall, flexible plant in a pot is often supported with support.
It is not difficult to grow sheflera at home - the plant is quite unpretentious. The rules of care are the same as for most familiar, common indoor plants.
Important: Schefflera contains substances that irritate the skin and mucous membranes; care must be taken when handling this plant.
Species
Schefflera octophylla is very impressive; on its drooping petioles there are 8-12 leaves of an elongated lanceolate shape, with a pointed tip and light veins. The leaves are shiny, leathery, change color depending on age: young ones are olive green, old ones are green;
Schefflera Arboricola is a low tree with an erect branching stem. Young branches are green; in older plants they become light brown. The leaves are imparipinnately compound, up to 20 cm long. It has a number of varieties with white, yellow or cream spots on the leaves.
Schefflera actinophylla is often found in cultivation. The petioles are reddish-brown, long. The leaf blades are shiny, depending on the variety they are bright green, golden yellow, or olive yellow.
Schefflera Digitata – low plants, leaves are dissected into 7-10 lobes, wavy along the edges. The variegated forms look impressive.
Care and conditions of detention
Lighting. Scheffler light-loving plant, in autumn and winter, southern windows are best suited; in the summer heat, they should be shaded from direct sun. big plant It is best to place it next to a south window, but windows with western and eastern exposure work well. In insufficient light, you can grow sheflera with green leaves; variegated varieties need more light.
In summer, you can take the plant out into the open air, placing it in light partial shade.
Air humidity. Useful high humidity air. Sheflera adapts normally to normal room humidity, but regular spraying with soft, settled water is beneficial for it.
Temperature. Regular fits room temperature. In winter, it can be kept at 16-18 degrees, the minimum temperature is 12 degrees. Daily slight fluctuations in day and night temperatures are beneficial, and cold drafts can cause leaves to fall. Schefflera should not be placed near heating appliances
Watering. Moderate, regular, water with soft, settled water. The earthen clod should not be allowed to dry out. During cool winters, watering is strictly limited. It is important to remember that it is better to slightly overdry than to overwater, because overwatering and souring of the soil are very dangerous for shefflera. Also, do not water cold water, - the soil temperature should not be lower than the air temperature.
Reproduction
Sheflera is propagated at home by seeds, cuttings and air layering.
Seeds can be purchased and are sown in January-February. To sow seeds, peat and sand mixed in equal parts are used. You can first soak the schefflera seeds in warm water with the addition of epin or zircon. The substrate is watered or moistened with a spray bottle and placed in a warm place, covered with glass. Maintain temperature within 20-24°C. Periodically spray and ventilate the container with seeds. When the seedlings have two or three leaves, they are planted in separate pots.
When propagating by cuttings, semi-lignified cuttings are used. Before planting, it is advisable to treat them with root formation stimulants. Root the cuttings in a mixture of peat and sand at a temperature of 20-22 degrees, covering the container with the cuttings with polyethylene. Ventilate the container periodically.
Transfer
Young plants are replanted every year in the spring, adults - as needed, usually once every few years. The pot is taken much larger than the previous one. It is imperative to ensure good drainage at the bottom of the pot to prevent stagnation of water in the pot.
Soil. The mixture for transplantation is light, slightly acidic (pH about 6). You can make a mixture of turf and humus soil with sand (2:1:1) or 3 parts of fertile humus soil, 1 part of fibrous peat and 1 part of sand.
Top dressing
Fertilize regularly during the active growing season (from spring to autumn) every 2 weeks with universal fertilizer for indoor plants. Sheflera can be fertilized after transplantation only after young leaves appear.
Trimming. To create a lush bush, several plants are often planted in one pot. The tree-like shape of the sheflera is obtained as a result of pruning. Improper pruning can damage the plant.
If the sheflera is not properly cared for, it sometimes loses all its leaves. If the plant's roots are healthy, then pruning the trunk low can save the plant. The remaining stump can continue to be watered; it is useful to cover it with damp moss; it is likely that new shoots will appear.
Rest period. In winter, the plant requires a period of relative rest. At this time, growth usually stops; the sheflera is kept in a bright room at a temperature of 14-16 degrees, with limited watering.
Diseases and pests
Damaged by: aphids, scale insects, spider mites.
Leaves fall - there are many reasons: it’s too hot in the summer, a cold draft in the winter, it’s too humid and the roots have begun to rot.
Light spots appear on the leaves - too much sun.
Faded leaves, elongated stems - too dark.
The tips of the leaves turn brown if the air is too dry.
With dry air or insufficient watering, the tips of the leaves turn brown.
