Question
QUESTION: Hi Will,

I have a dwarf schefflera - trinity in a 11" pot - its about 16" tall. Everyday in the morning, I can see a few of the leaves fallen on the ground. Mostly the stalk has turned brown - and it has a brown patch in the center. The leaves are falling from the lower half of the plant. I know (to the best of my knowledge) I dont over -water it. I check to see if the top 2" are dry only then do I water (usually once in 10-12 days). I've moved to my patio door - where the indirect light is brighter - but it still faces the north.
Is the falling leaves phenonmenon normal? Or should I be looking for mites or bugs?

Thanks

Farah

ANSWER: Hi Farah,

The loss of lower leaves is a generic symptom with several possible causes. Let's go through them so you can determine what the source of the problem may be.

Light: Your Schefflera arboricola needs very bright indirect light all day long. The north facing window or door is satisfactory as long as it is completely uncovered and not shaded by trees or buildings outside. You didn't indicate where you had it before or for how long, but presumably it was receiving less light. You may find that the location to better light is enough to gradually slow the rate of leaf loss.

Water: Allowing the top two inches of soil to dry is appropriate. However, if there is much loose soil on the surface not in contact with roots, then remove it. That will allow the soil to dry faster and deeper into the rootball. Improved light will also help the soil dry out a bit faster and that is a good thing.

Acclimatization: This is what newly acquired plants do when they are relocated. It can take a month or more for a plant to adapt to its new environment. If the light has been reduced, then the plant will react by shedding older leaves while producing new leaves that are better suited for the reduced light. This process is normal, but it is always preferable to provide more rather than less light.

Pests: There is nothing you have described that is indicative of plant pests.

Do not make the common mistake of repotting or fertilizing in order to help the plant. The pot size is plenty large enough and will be for a very long time. Fertilizer is intended for healthy, vigorously growing plaints. It is not medicine.

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.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
 
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Will,
My Schefflera was previously placed near a north facing window - but the patio door will give it much more light than before. I thought it was probably an issue of light - since I can see the newer stalks and leaves almost bending/stooping towards the door/window. This makes the plant look slightly topsy - since all the stalks are turning away from the room and towards the light source.
This plant came with a top 1 to 1.5 inches filled with mulch, I removed all that and found some of the roots amongst the mulch. So i removed as much as I could without disturbing the roots. I can still see some roots poking through the mulch - I dunno if that caused the leaf fall. These roots are still stubbornly poking thru the surface of the mulch.

I usually check the soil before I water. With this plant I've seen that the soil stays moist 12-15 days.... isint that too long for a plant to go without water. Am I under watering it?
Thanks

Farah

Answer
Hi Farah,

If you rotate the plant a quarter turn each time you water, then all sides will get equal amounts of light, allowing the plant to grow more evenly.

Removing the mulch was a good idea. Some upper root exposure is not a problem and did not cause the leaf drop. The roots are growing vigorously in the mulch because it has been staying moist. That's fine except that means the roots in the lower portion of the pot are staying soggy and are in danger or rotting. So those surface roots need to dry out more.

The mulch may be causing the soil to stay moist for the 12-15 days you mentioned. That is not too long for a plant to go without water. It is too long for a plant抯 roots to go without drying out adequately. The improved light and the removal of the mulch should shorten that interval of drying to 10 days or less.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 (EST)
 
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC