Question
My scheffeleras are starting to shoot limbs out like crazy.  What is the best way to trim them to be bushy without being lopsided?  I destroyed the shape of a tall single Hibiscus, can you help me rescue it?  I love plants but am not a skilled gardener.  Thanks

Answer
Read 'Pruning Your Hawaiian Schefflera' on the Garden Opus website:

http://www.gardenopus.com/PruningHawaiianSchefflera.htm

where they recommend pruning techniques for this houseplant/shrub: 'One technique with the lank, unbranched multiple plant specimens sold at discount stores (such as the one in my photo) is to cut alternate stems ... back half way or more in Spring or Summer to promote branching from below the cut.'

Cutting a plant stimulates hormones at the node, where leaves grow on the branch.  The hormones trigger growth of a new branch.  This works on most of the things we grow that have nodes, from Azaleas to Zinnias.

During Winter, you do no pruning.  Then, the following Spring, they tell us to 'cut the remaining three stems below the level of the fresh new branches which have appeared.'  Harsh, but very effective in the long run.

Wild growth is a problem for many Schefflera growers.  It's a nice problem to have.

To avoid the 'lopsided' look, make sure you prune and illuminate evenly.  Sunlight on one side of the plant will not give you even growth, especially if you are pruning.  And remember that every node is a potential sprout for a branch.  If you prune enough, eventually the plant hormones will get it going.  Thanks for writing!