Question
i bought 2 scheffelera trees at lowe's and repotted them and placed them near my front door which gets moderate to low light.,  the leaves are beginning to fall off.  every few days i shake the tree and more leaves fall off.  i do see new growth but what is the deal with the leaves falling off

Answer
Hi Cindy,

There are three factors that are contributing to the leaf drop. The first and most important was the repotting. The second is inadequate light, and the third is normal adjustment to a new location.

New plants should never be repotted until they are well-established and acclimated to their new environment (usually about 3 - 6 months) AND only when the are so rootbound that a thorough watering is required every three days or more frequently. Not only does repotting stress the plant, but it also greatly increases the risk of keeping the soil and roots too moist for too long. I have written an article on repotting for a more complete description of this issue that I can email to you on request.

Scheffleras need lots of very bright indirect light. Low light is not enough. A good location is right in front of an unobstructed north or east window.

I suggest that you remove the soil that you added when you repotted and put your Schefflera back into its original pot. Hopefully there has not been too much damage to the roots so far. Relocating to a brighter spot is also a good idea.

If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

Visit my web site at www.HorticulturalHelp.com

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