Question
I have 3 questions for you today.  The first and MOST important question if for my beloved Umbrella plant or schefflera.  It is dying on me I think.  I posted a question a while bag and here is the link to that question.  
http://en.allexperts.com/q/House-Plants-721/Beloved-Umbrella-Plant.htm
Well now it is sitting outside.  Usually it is not so close to the house, but with strong winds, I have moved it close to my apartment.  The bottom of the stalk is starting to turn brown.  I am scared that it is dying from the bottom up.  I have included pictures here they are.
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x226/Free2Smile/100_0879.jpg
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x226/Free2Smile/100_0883.jpg
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x226/Free2Smile/100_0880-1.jpg

Is there anything that I can do to save this plant?  If it is dieing, can I cut off the top and root it, or is it just a sad goner??

The other two questions are for identification of 2 different plants.  I have included a picture of each.
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x226/Free2Smile/100_0710_01a.jpg
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x226/Free2Smile/100_0886.jpg
The second picture is just of the bottom of the plant.  This plant gets very long leaves.  When it was given to me it was actually in the process of blooming.  With the identification can you please tell me how to take care of them. I truly do appreciate your help.  THANK YOU!!

Jan

Answer
Hi Jan,

I am very sorry that you received very poor advice from another "expert" when you first inquired about your Schefflera arboricola in early May. Let me try to correct the poor information your received.

Alcohol is not a good treatment for spider mites, although it does work well with soap on scale and mealybugs. Spider mites are best treated with just soap and water. The soap spreads better and does not dry as quickly. One or two thorough sprayings with soapy is enough to eradicate spider mites. The frequent sprayings with alcohol that was recommended is overkill and can be toxic to the plant after a while.

Although your Schefflera might have benefited from being moved more directly in front of the window, the advice to move it outside in the direct sun was terribly ill-advised. Arboricolas grow in the shade outside and cannot tolerate the intensity of direct outdoor sunlight. In addition, plants sold as houseplants are acclimated to lower light.        Many of the leaves on yours have suffered from scorching by the outdoor sun.

You originally inquired about pruning back the leggy stems and were told not to do that. In fact, pruning back stems is the only way to deal with legginess and it does not harm the plant as the adviser seemed to imply.

The real problem with your plant was never identified so the problem continued and your Arboricola has now declined to the point where I do not believe it will recover. I am sorry to have to write that.

The problem was that the soil was staying too moist and the roots were starting to rot. Moving your plant to a smaller pot with more porous soil might have helped and reducing the frequency of your watering was essential. Regrettably, you were never told that.

The discolored stems in the recent photos are a sure sign of root rot. After the roots begin to rot there will be some leaf loss. As the root rot progresses and the roots die, then the stems themselves die and the rot progresses up the stems. There simply is no cure for advanced root rot, as much as I would like to offer you one.

The taller of the two stems still has some green stem remaining. If you cut off this stem well above the discolored part, you may be able to root that cutting in plain water. That is the only chance you have of salvaging any of your Arboricola, I am sorry to say.

There is not enough light contrast for me to see what your first mystery plant is. The second plant is called Pregnant onion (Ornithogalum caudatum). Pregnant onion should be placed right in a sunny window where it will get at least 4 hours of direct sun each day. However, it needs some protection from hot midday summer sun. Keep it tightly potted in a porous potting mix. Water it thoroughly, but only when the soil has dried out about half way down in the pot. It will need more frequent waterings during hot summer weather; less frequent in the short days of winter. Fertilize at half strength whenever it is putting out new leaves. Normal room temperatures year round are best. Watch for occasional mealybug infestations. This plant is adept at propagating itself. Small bumps emerge on the outside of the bulbs. In time these bumps develop into bulbets that drop off into the pot and root themselves.

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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