Question
This summer on our north facing covered porch I grew a beautiful schefflerra. It had grown to be about 4 foot tall and 3.5 feet wide. Brought it in the house for the winter, placed it in my living room also north facing, was doing ok until I put up curtain. But then the leaves started to drop, and i mean every morning there is a handful. The furnace is also running and drier air. Don't want to lose this plant it is beautiful! Should I mist, use a grow light, fertilize? If so how much and how many hours, love my house plants,can't grow outside in the winter but can have them inside. Getting cold and dreary in PA! THANKS!

Answer
Jeri,

Where in PA do you live? I have a son that lives in Lewistown, PA. I am in northern IN and it is also cold and frequently dreary. Since you say the leaves started falling when you put up the curtain I am sure it is the lack of light causing your problem. I suspect that some of the leaves turn black before falling. If you can't move it to a south facing window with the curtains open all day then you need to put a 2 tube florescent light fixture above the plant and it needs to be on at least 12-14 hours a day. I keep a lot of my 300 houseplants in my basement on large tables with florescent lights hanging from chains from the ceiling and more lights on the underside of the table for the plants that sit on the floor under the tables. My lights are on timers and are on for 14 hours a day. My plants don't just survive the long dreary winter but with that light they actually grow. I have 2 very nice bonsai schefflera's.
Because they are florescent lights that are more economical the 18 2 tube light fixtures only raise my electric bill by about $10.00 a month all winter. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck!

Darlene