Starting over?
#Schefflera this was my first plant that I ever took seriously, and Iβve managed to keep it alive through some difficulties for about three years. But I really didnβt know what I was doing and dislike the shape of it. Iβd like it to be much bushier. Is there a way I can cut it back and basically start over? Or should I just try to propagate? οΏΌ
2ft to light, indirect
16β pot with drainage
Last watered 9 months ago
10
Best Answer
@naturenearby Yes you can cut her all the way back. They can grow leaves on bare stems.
I do recommend checking the roots though. That's a very big pot you have her in so should could have root rot from the soil staying wet too long. My big ones are in 10 inch pots and get watered once every 2 weeks. During winter once a month.
Root rot could be why she looks sparse. They will drop leaves when overwatered. I'll share my treatment in case she has root rot. Without treatment she won't improve.
1. Remove from your pot, to check the roots. If there is anything brown black or mushy you have rot and will need to cut it all off. Keep only the healthy roots they will be whitish in color
Now root rot comes from a bacteria that forms in your soil and then attacks your plant. So treatment is absolutely necessary.
2. Cut off all affected roots soak what is left in:
1 part peroxide + 3 parts water and leave in the peroxide mix to soak for 5 minutes this will kill off the remaining bacteria. It will bubble pot and fizz this is good itβs killing the bacteria.
3. Next is soil, the best
choice is to throw it away. Itβs safest. Or bake it for 1 hour in a 200
Degree oven, not the greatest because it REALLY stinks. But itβs effective. Or the most risky way is to thoroughly flush your soil out with your peroxide mix twice! You need to be very careful and do it thoroughly because if even a teeny bit of bacteria is left your rot will come back.
4. Now the pot, it also has that pesky bacteria you must scrub it out with soapy water very well and then also scrub it down with the peroxide mix.
Now you can plant her again. Be sure to add some perlite to your soil for aeration. This will help oxygen reach those roots and I avoid bacteria growth in the future.
I do recommend checking the roots though. That's a very big pot you have her in so should could have root rot from the soil staying wet too long. My big ones are in 10 inch pots and get watered once every 2 weeks. During winter once a month.
Root rot could be why she looks sparse. They will drop leaves when overwatered. I'll share my treatment in case she has root rot. Without treatment she won't improve.
1. Remove from your pot, to check the roots. If there is anything brown black or mushy you have rot and will need to cut it all off. Keep only the healthy roots they will be whitish in color
Now root rot comes from a bacteria that forms in your soil and then attacks your plant. So treatment is absolutely necessary.
2. Cut off all affected roots soak what is left in:
1 part peroxide + 3 parts water and leave in the peroxide mix to soak for 5 minutes this will kill off the remaining bacteria. It will bubble pot and fizz this is good itβs killing the bacteria.
3. Next is soil, the best
choice is to throw it away. Itβs safest. Or bake it for 1 hour in a 200
Degree oven, not the greatest because it REALLY stinks. But itβs effective. Or the most risky way is to thoroughly flush your soil out with your peroxide mix twice! You need to be very careful and do it thoroughly because if even a teeny bit of bacteria is left your rot will come back.
4. Now the pot, it also has that pesky bacteria you must scrub it out with soapy water very well and then also scrub it down with the peroxide mix.
Now you can plant her again. Be sure to add some perlite to your soil for aeration. This will help oxygen reach those roots and I avoid bacteria growth in the future.
You can propagate but it takes a long time.
These guys love to be pruned and each stem you cut will give you 2 to replace it. Cut below a node and then propagate in water that way you'll have propagations going as well as improving the mother plant and making it fuller. I cut mine all the time.
During summers it is as much as every 2 weeks. So don't be afraid to prune she will thank you for it.
For propagation in water just keep the water clean and node covered in water at all times.
It usually take around 3 months to see roots form. They are slow pokes but they get there so be patient!
These guys love to be pruned and each stem you cut will give you 2 to replace it. Cut below a node and then propagate in water that way you'll have propagations going as well as improving the mother plant and making it fuller. I cut mine all the time.
During summers it is as much as every 2 weeks. So don't be afraid to prune she will thank you for it.
For propagation in water just keep the water clean and node covered in water at all times.
It usually take around 3 months to see roots form. They are slow pokes but they get there so be patient!
@SuperbRaspfern thanks for this. Beautiful plants. Can I cut the mother plant all the way back, that is remove all the leaves and stems so I can go for growth lower on the plant?
@SuperbRaspfern Thank you so much. She does lose leaves occasionally, so Iβll use your instructions if needed. Would this treatment apply to any plant that has root rot?
@naturenearby I would keep the stems you can cut the stem all back by 1/3 every time you prune. That will leave her with enough energy for new growth.
But it would be too risky to only leave the main trunk. Although they are a soft wood tree which is why you can do hard prunes.
If she has a healthy root system and started out healthy then yes, it can be successful. But since your tree is already struggling to cut off everything you may not have success doing that.
Because, it takes energy for that new growth and they are dependent on that stored energy. A tree that is already struggling will have spent all of its stored energy just to sustain life. So there will be an empty tank to draw from. β€οΈ
But it would be too risky to only leave the main trunk. Although they are a soft wood tree which is why you can do hard prunes.
If she has a healthy root system and started out healthy then yes, it can be successful. But since your tree is already struggling to cut off everything you may not have success doing that.
Because, it takes energy for that new growth and they are dependent on that stored energy. A tree that is already struggling will have spent all of its stored energy just to sustain life. So there will be an empty tank to draw from. β€οΈ
@SuperbRaspfern No root rot! ππ so I took some cuttings, and cut the plant back all the way to the central stem. If it doesnβt work, Iβll have learned something. But Iβm hoping between the propagations and the original plant Iβll end up with at least one healthy one. οΏΌ
Woohoo! I@ so glad there was no root rot! I hope you get a healthy one out of it all too! π€π