Question
I received a very large (5 ft) Umbrella Tree about 2-3 weeks ago.  The card that came with the plant said that this type of tree likes a great deal of light, but can also adapt to moderate light as well. It also advised allowing the soil to be somewhat dry before watering it.  The plant has been dropping a lot of leaves, and I am unsure about what I can do to prevent this from happening further.  Thank you for your assistance.
Dee

Answer
Hi Dee,

I am going to assume that your Schefflera is a S. actinopylla rather than a S. arboricola. The former has leaves that are about 5 inches long and the latter has leaves that are about 3 inches long. They have slightly different care requirements, so let me know if yours is not the larger leafed species.

Schefflera actinophylla does best in front of an unobstructed window that gets a few hours of direct sun each day, although it can adapt to less. The top couple of inches of soil should feel dry when you poke your finger into it before watering thoroughly.

There are several possible reasons for the leaf drop. First, it may be adapting to its new environment. Some lower leaf drop is normal. If you are not providing enough light or if you are watering improperly, that will cause more extensive leaf drop. If you repotted the plant or it was repoted just before you acquired it, then the shock of the repotting may cause leaf drop. Finally, spider mites can also cause leaf drop - look for tiny dust-like particles on the undersides of leaves and let me know if you need treatment instructions if you find them.

If you would like to e-mail a photo of your Schefflera to me at the address below my name, I may be able to provide some additional information.

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]

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