Question
QUESTION: Hi, I live in the south of England, UK and I have 11-12 foot ceilings. My umbrella plant reached the top last year, growing straight up a support. I bent it a little to give more growing space but this year it is at the top again. How should I continue to care for it? The plant is in a terracotta pot, 10 in diameter, about 16 inches high. I have had it about 6-8 years and it was about 2-3 feet high when I was given it. I water it once a week and feed it sporadically. It has probably been re-potted twice in that time. It is near a south facing window, but sheltered from direct sunlight and has many other plant friends in the room.

Thank you so much for your help!

Best regards,

Suzanne

ANSWER: Suzanne,

You didn't say whether it has leaves growing all the way up the trunk or any side branches. I reccommend that you prune it back drastically. Pruning will cause it to branch out a lot and make it a lot bushier. I woould prune it by half. But do not cut off all the green growth. If there is only green growth at the top cut it down to the lowest green growth. That will force it to send out more side branches and new growth. Once it sends out more branches lower you can prune it back even further if you would like. This is a plant that actually loves the sun so don't be afraid to expose it to more sun. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck!

Darlene

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

QUESTION: Hi Darlene

Thanks for your reply, but I have a further question for you please, before I do any pruning.....

The plant has leaves growing all the way up the trunk with no side branches, so if I cut it in half where might the branches be sent out from?

And, will it be possible to "root" the portion that I cut off? It is so beautiful and healthy and I dont want to waste any! If yes, then how? Just put it in water? or try rooting powder? I've never done that before.

Thanks again, its really helpful to have your expertise to hand!

Best regards,

Suzanne

Answer
Suzanne,

New branches will come out of buds at the base of a leaf stem and the can come out anywhere up and down the trunk. The more sun it gets the more branches it will grow. The part you cut off I would try using rooting hormone and rooting it in a pot of soil  sitting in a sunny location. I would also water it with starter solution which is a mild mix of B-1 Solution available at most Garden centers. You have a 50/50 chance it will root. If it doesn't it won't cost you much. I might also suggest that you cover it with a clear plastic bag while it is rooting to hold in the humidity. That would give it a better chance of rooting. Do not keep the soil too wet or the stem will rot rather than root. Good luck.

Darlene