Question
My wife's "miniture" schefflera has grown to exceed 8 feet in height. She does not want to simply prune the longer stems; she wants to root them and begin her own little jungle. The stems in question are over 1" in diameter. How should we go about accomplishing this task?

Answer
Hi David,

Thick stems do not root easily using the conventional methods, so air-layering is usually recommended. Air layering is a bit complex, so an alternative is to root the Schefflera arboricola tip cuttings in water or moist potting mix. A tip cutting refers to the topmost 4 inches of any stem.

Air-layering is a method of propagating woody stem cuttings that are difficult to root in water or soil. It is a technique that allows the roots to develop on the cuttings before they are completely severed. Here is how to do it:

1.Pick the place that you want to cut the stem back to. At this point, take a sharp knife and cut a V-shaped notch one third of the way through the stem. This is where the new roots will develop and grow. Alternatively, remove the bark and outer layer of the stem in a one-inch band around the stem.

2.If you have rooting hormone, put it into the notch or on the exposed area. If you don't have it, don't worry about it.

3.Wrap a handful of damp sphagnum moss in a ball completely covering and surrounding the wound. The roots will grow into this moist sphagnum moss.

4.Place clear plastic wrap around the wad of moss covering the wound. Seal the plastic wrap tightly with tape or rubber bands. This must be airtight so the moss cannot dry out.

5.Wait patiently for roots to develop and grow into the moss. This usually takes a month or more. If you can't see anything after a month or so, carefully remove the plastic wrap and check for roots and to make sure the moss has not dried out.

6.When you have a healthy batch of roots growing in the moss, completely sever the stem just below the developing roots. Remove the plastic and pot your rooted cutting into a small pot.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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