Question
My Tree
I received a Umbrella Schefflera tree for mothers day. I was so excited that I planted my tree that is 3 1/2 ft in a pot that is about 18inches wide. It is a nice looking tree but the last week or so I have be noticing a lot of brown almost black leaves falling off and more and more leaves keep changing to that color. It is in the living room corner about 12feet from the window that faces east. I always have the blinds open and my house right now sits about 76 degrees. I have checked for bug and there are none I added more soil to the pot because the root was showing a tiny (tiny) bit! I might be over watering it but the soil doesn't feel wet. It is damp and I water about 2 times weekly. Please help me not kill my new tree! Thanks
Tanya
AnswerHi Tanya,
For starters, your Schefflera is not getting enough light. It must be no more than 2-3 feet away from your east window and would prefer to be right in front of it. Because it is not getting enough light, its growth rate has slowed and that means it should not be in a pot that large and it also uses less water. So your Schefflera is reacting to a combination of poor light, over-potting and over-watering.
Because your plant is now in a fragile state, I don't recommend moving it to a smaller pot. But do move it closer to the window and do not add any water until the top 3-4 inches of soil feel dry. That will probably take a very long time. Let's hope that it dries out soon enough to prevent roots from rotting beyond recovery. After the top 3-4 inches of soil are dry, then add just enough water so that it dries out again in about a week.
I have written an article on Schefflera care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at
[email protected].
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
