Question
i have a shefflera umbrella plant stands about 4 feet tall.  It is at least 13 years old faces the afternoon sun.  Water it once a week.  The problem I have is the pale yellowish color on the dirt.  I thought it was maybe hardwater, but it is usually white.  I cleaned it out of the dirt a few weeks ago, and today i see something shaped like a yellowish mushroom growing on one of the stems.  It has a yellowish stem with a mushroom shape of the same color on the end of it. Do you know what this happens to be and what do i do to get rid of it.  

Answer
Brenda,

A mushroom growing on a stem is a type of fungal infection. Is it a main trunk? If not I would cut that whole stem off.. If it is a main trunk I would cut as much of the mushroom off as possible and scrape some more off. Then, either way I would spray the plant stems and the soil surface daily for 7-14 days with Lysol spray. It will kill fungal infections such as this. After that if there is any sign of recurrence you should spray it again for another 7-14 days.

I woulds also cut back on the watering and let it dry out more between waterings. Too much water promotes fungal growth. Sheffleras can stand to go very dry between waterins and that will discourage any further fungal growths.

Good luck.

Darlene