Houseplants: Question about Schefflera..

Replies: 21 Views: 143

Author	Comment
daisylovn Wilmer, AL (Zone 8b) October 22, 2009 10:33 AM	I potted up a large clipping of a deep green Scheff that I got from my doctors office, They let me have a large piece of it after my 4th visit, just before sending me to a specialist. I guess they knew I had been envying that gorgeous specimen. I don't know exactly what it is called, but is looks like the one Tapla posted a pic of in the thread titled "How do you prune a Schefflera?" -- It has been potted for several weeks, it is close to both an east and north facing window... I have kept it watered and have spritzed it morning and night with a water bottle. It has NEW GROWTH now !!!! Does that mean is has rooted? If so, I will be so proud of myself. I'm going to learn this gardening stuff yet. I must say that I hope when this plant grows up, it looks as beautiful as Tapla's !!!
plantladylin East Central, FL (Zone 9b) October 22, 2009 01:14 PM	Congratulations, if it has new growth it must be happy! Sometimes you can test to see if a plant has rooted is by gently tugging on it, just gently. Usually you will feel a bit of resistance if there are roots in the soil, but that may not be the case with all plants and it might depend on how many roots have sprouted. I have a tendency to lay out a layer of newspaper, then remove the plant to see if any roots have formed. Good luck with your Scheff ... I hope it has plenty of roots and thrives in it's new home!
tapla Bay City, MI (Zone 6a) October 22, 2009 01:22 PM	I would get a new specialist - they should have given you a piece of the plant after your second visit - no later than the third!!!! I would sat it has rooted. Strong work! That buds open on a recently potted cutting is no clear indication of roots, but growth from leaf axils (crotches) or other meristematic parts of the plant (like new leaves emerging from the growing tips of branches) is a much stronger indicator. Please stop the misting. It is far more likely to do harm than good. ;o) Here's another, almost like the other: Al View Larger
tapla Bay City, MI (Zone 6a) October 22, 2009 01:29 PM	The roots that form on new cuttings are very fragile. Some are so small they are actually microscopic. Obviously, these roots break very easily, and it puts a strain on the cuttings energy reserves when the plant has to lay out additional energy to replace roots broken by wind or tugging on the cutting to ck to see if it has rooted. It also delays the hydraulic hook-up between roots and vascular organs that transport water to the top of the plant, which increases the possibility of myriad fungaluglies destroying the viability of the cutting. Once you've stuck a cutting, you should be patient & look to signals other than the resistance you get when you tug on a cutting to determine if it has struck (rooted). Al
daisylovn Wilmer, AL (Zone 8b) October 22, 2009 02:18 PM	Thanks plantladylin, and Tapla (may I call you Al?) I'm so excited.. It seems to have produced new growth on an leaf axil. I read somewhere to mist it twice a day...That is NOT good for it? What type of damage might it cause? I guess I need to scrutinize it to be sure it is still healthy as I have been doing that ever since I potted it.
tapla Bay City, MI (Zone 6a) October 22, 2009 03:42 PM	Please do (Al) It's always fun for me to share someone's enthusiasm when they discover something new - especially something like a new skill! One reason misting can be counterproductive is many fungi that grow on foliage require moist incubation periods of varying lengths. Misting helps provide the moisture and the duration required for the fungi to multiply. It can also spread the fungi from leaf to leaf. Insects and eggs can be spread in the same fashion. Perhaps the larger question is why do we feel we need to mist? We know it is virtually totally ineffective at raising humidity levels for more than a few minutes at a time. It is more likely to exacerbate necrotic (dead) leaf tips and margins (unless you're using distilled water) because the dissolved salts that accumulate on leaf surfaces when the tap water we (usually) use evaporates tends to pull moisture from leaves (like salt pulls moisture from ham/bacon). Most people do mist because they feel they are helping reduce burned foliage by raising humidity levels, but we need to look beyond humidity levels for the root cause of this problem. We can usually trace burned foliage straight back to the soil. If we can eliminate operator error (us forgetting to water) and we still have leaf burn, look to either over-watering or a high level of salts in the soil. Both conditions are usually caused by using heavy soils that drain poorly. Soggy soils kill roots - roots can't move enough water to the top of the plant - leaves show a drought response, even though the roots are swimming in water. The second possibility - an accumulation of salts in the soil - is usually the result of a heavy soil that drains poorly because you have to water in small sips to prevent the heavy soil from staying wet so long roots rot (see just above). When you water this way, all the salts in the fertilizer solution AND in the tap water (even when you only water, there are dissolved salts in the tap water) accumulate in the soil. As salts accumulate in the soil, it becomes increasingly difficult to impossible for plants to absorb water. The result is dead tissue above the soil because the plant cannot move enough water to keep it hydrated. Higher humidity levels are only marginally helpful in slowing the tissue death I mentioned, and since misting does so little to raise humidity levels, we can say with a good degree of certainty it is very close to ineffectual. Al
plantladylin East Central, FL (Zone 9b) October 22, 2009 04:13 PM	Al, You are such a knowledgeable person and such an asset to this site. If you haven't written or considered writing a book you really should! When reading your posts, some of us feel the technical explanations are way over our heads. I am easily confused. I get confused when my husband tries to explain technical stuff to me and he can't understand why I can't understand his tutorial. I tell him it has something to do with the male vs female brain and the way we process things differently, LOL. Most of the time with whatever I read, I have to go back, read and re-read a few times to understand, and then five minutes later forget what I just read. So, it would be great to have an easy to understand book regarding soil and water for growing container plants. I'd love to have a book right at my fingertips to refer to time and again. It would be nice to have a Forum here on DG titled: SOIL AND WATER, where all of your generous knowledge could be stored in what's called a sticky at the top of the forum. It would help the novices like me, as well as the more knowledgeable growers as well. After all, soil and water are probably the two most important ingredients to growing healthy, happy plants, and keeping them that way for a long time! So, I just wanted to say Thank You for sharing your knowledge, and for helping us as we try to become better gardeners! Lin
tapla Bay City, MI (Zone 6a) October 22, 2009 04:50 PM	What kind words, Lin! Thank YOU very much for taking the time to offer the thank you. I try not to be too technical, but some of the things that pertain to how plants work is technical by nature (and sometimes I forget, too). ;o) It really is a challenge when I say something like "You need to take a close look at your soils if you're having trouble with burned leaves" because most growers don't make a connection between heavy (water-retentive) soils and burned leaves, so I have to find a way to show the connection that can be understood. I make heavy use of analogies and parenthesis (to further explain things) in an attempt to make it easier. BUT - I wish you guys would ask questions if you need clarification or there is something you don't understand. I really enjoy the idea that something I offer might help whoever's reading it to squeeze a little more satisfaction out of their growing experience or make growing easier. I have 'stickies' on the container gardening forum, but if there is some interest, I could put together something about soil and watering for this forum. Whether or not it becomes a sticky is up to Admin and your suggestions. If you have a specific problem or question that's buggin', and you think I might be able to help, you can always start a thread and request an answer from me in the thread title so I'll be sure to see it, or just mail me. Daisy - You DID know I was kidding about changing specialists - right? ;o) Al View Larger
plantladylin East Central, FL (Zone 9b) October 22, 2009 05:01 PM	Al, You sound so much like my husband re: "I wish you would ask questions!" LOL, maybe it's a woman thing! You know how guys don't like to ask directions when traveling and getting lost? Well, I guess a lot of us gal's don't like to ask questions sometimes ... me, I like to try things on my own and see if I can figure it out and when I can't, and get frustrated ... THEN I ask questions, and questions and questions ... until I finally GET it. My husband teaches in a very technical profession (Aeronautical Science) and tends to think with a technical mind ... and after 40 years of marriage I still get frustrated with him trying to explain something computer or camera related to me! It's a great idea to have information in a sticky at the top of the Beginner Houseplants Forum too. If someone needed more clarification and you weren't on-line, they could be directed to the sticky info, and if they have specific questions could always d-mail you! Hey, I think it would be good to have some great information regarding soil and water at the top of every plant related forum! Thanks again for your input to the threads! Lin
daisylovn Wilmer, AL (Zone 8b) October 22, 2009 05:29 PM	plantladylin, He sounded an awful lot like my hubby too. : ) Al, Yes, I knew you were kidding.. but you were right. They should have offered the cutting MUCH sooner. :)
joycerogers0713 Poplarville, MS (Zone 8b) October 23, 2009 04:22 AM	Al, Love the root over rock bonsai! I'm assuming it's one of yours.(?) I too would be interested in learning more about soils and water. I always read your stickys and learned so much from the one about water movement- I believe it was called. You have been a God send for me and my plants. Bless you and thanks so much for your time and patience with us. You are appreciated! Joyce
3jsmom31 zone 6a, KY October 23, 2009 08:19 AM	I was looking at Al's root over rock pic and my son comes up and exclaims "That's beautiful". I had to share. I found Al's plant to be fascinating. My scheff is growing roots up the trunk and I don't know if that's good or bad. I am trying to get together the ingredients you listed in your soil mix. I am not a member yet to be able to read the whole discussions, but maybe some day. Al, do you use finer mixes for rooting?
plantladylin East Central, FL (Zone 9b) October 23, 2009 10:39 AM	Great growing Al, that is one amazing Schefflera Bonsai!
tapla Bay City, MI (Zone 6a) October 23, 2009 10:24 PM	Whew! I just got home from an all day trip to Hidden Lake Gardens, where we met with a rep of the national arboretum & talked mainly about how to institute a program to help them decide when to cull problem trees. It was 6 hrs in 45* and horizontal rain, but ya know what? - it was da bomb - a good time .... but the story's too long, so back to the topic. ;o) Plant people are nutts, eh? Thanks again to all of you - for the very kind words! They are much appreciated. I'm not absolutely sure if it's a good thing or not - sounding like everyone's hubby; but, you guys are really nice, so your hubbies must be nice, so that makes it a compliment - yes? I hope my reasoning is sound. ;o) Yes, the root over rock is mine - started about 8 years ago from a cutting. It's much larger than in the picture now, where it was 4 or 5 years old. I have 2 or 3 others (scheffs) growing as bonsai, along with about 50 other tropical & subtropical trees/shrubs. 3Js - Any healthy scheff wants to grow the roots you describe that sprout off the trunk. The only thing that prevents them from occurring is low humidity. You can prune them off with no ill effect, or you can allow them to grow downward until they hit the soil, after which they'll lignify (get woody) and become part of the trunk structure as they (and the trunk) fatten. They're commonly referred to as air roots, or areal roots, but the botanical term for them is adventitious roots. You want to shy away from fine mixes for rooting cuttings. Cuttings root best in damp soil conditions (but not wet) with lots of air in the rooting medium. My favorite for rooting cuttings is a 50/50 mix of screened Turface and chopped sphagnum moss (this is not peat moss - see picture below), but screened perlite + sphagnum moss is excellent, too. The sphagnum moss is superb for many hort applications, including air layering, and has anti fungal properties in addition to stimulating root formation and speeding the rooting process. When you're starting cuttings, you're in a race with fungi. You need to get the roots formed and a connection made with the vascular parts of the plant (the tubes that conduct water) before the fungi can destroy the tissue and make the connection impossible. The whole moss. Chop it in a blender of food processor: Al View Larger
3jsmom31 zone 6a, KY October 24, 2009 08:13 AM	Thank you, Al. I like the roots so I leave them alone. I have to scout around to find turface. When I saw your soil pic, I wondered if it was kitty litter, but after seeing a discussion in a fig forum on a different garden site, I know it isn't the same :). I guess my biggest concern will be getting the right grade, the #8's or MVP? If anyone is looking up the sphagnum moss, I would try to make sure it isn't milled. You can always cut bigger bits down to fit your job. I have always used perlite and some kind of pro mix to root in, but you are right, it is a race to get roots before rots. I am just now relearning the value of sphagnum :). It lasts such a long time without breaking down.
tapla Bay City, MI (Zone 6a) October 24, 2009 10:13 AM	Not to get too far off topic ......... but what are you referring to when you say #8's? Screening size or a product I'm not aware of? You're right about kitty litter. Some is made of bentonite or fired at temperatures too low to make it stable. Some products also contain additional clumping agents (like guar) or perfumes that might pose problems. Al
3jsmom31 zone 6a, KY October 24, 2009 10:19 PM	screening size, I read that you can find turface (and other names of same) at concrete places. I am going to check the farm store. I'm still trying to figure out where in the middle of nowhere would have it. I know I can get the aquatic, but I don't want to pay for it by the ounce :).
tapla Bay City, MI (Zone 6a) October 25, 2009 11:00 AM	I'll see what I can find out: I'm back already - ;o) Try Caudill Seed in Morehead, (877) 775-7333 Or the John Deere Landscapes dealer in Lexington, (859) 269-8803 I don't think you'll find Turface at concrete places. Golf courses use it quite often. Companies that build athletic fields also use it extensively. Let me know if those two places can't get it for you, and I'll try my bonsai contacts in Lexington, if you're willing to travel that far or have someone heading in that direction pick it up for you. BTW - when you talk to the JD dealer, you'll ask for AllSport, which is Turface MVP in different packaging. Al
3jsmom31 zone 6a, KY October 25, 2009 11:05 AM	Thank you so much!!! I'll try caudill tomorrow. If I have to go to Lexington, it will be closer to Christmas :). Hey, do you think concrete would pose an alkalinity problem for plants laying around on it with long aerial roots, and poking through the pot roots?
tapla Bay City, MI (Zone 6a) October 25, 2009 11:09 AM	Not aged concrete, but fresh concrete (less than a years exposure to the weather) just might ...... kind of like how you want to age hypertufa before you plant in it - or soak it in a vinegar or other slightly acidic solution. Al
3jsmom31 zone 6a, KY October 25, 2009 11:30 AM	It was exposed for several months before we covered it... Last year the only plants I had on it were in/on plastic bags as a barrier, but this year, I just didn't think about it until the other day (as I sprayed the floor to raise humidity, lol). So it's been poured 1.5 years and covered for about a year. Do you think I should do a vinegar solution at this point? I just looked up hypertufa, and that is very interesting. Hmmm... a project for another day :)
tapla Bay City, MI (Zone 6a) October 25, 2009 11:44 AM	If you haven't seen any ill effects so far, I wouldn't be to concerned. Watch out for the roots heating up on concrete if it gets direct sun, though. Most roots begin to shut down when soil temps reach 85-90* and by 95*, many roots just don't function at all, function poorly, or begin to die - starting with the finest roots first. Al