Question
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Followup Question:
Hello Darlene,
Light might well be the problem, but this plant has not ever had direct sunlight.  My house is very light, but all indirect, reflective light.  This Scheffleras has been in the same place for 7 years and has grown very well.  I've even taken cuttings that are now larger than it.  

Might this be a soil or root problem?  It's been in the same pot for very long.

I will move the plant closer to the window for Spring and hopefully that helps.  It's a huge pot, so I'm reluctant to transplant it.  Might I more heavily fertilize it?  More nitrogen?  Iron?

Your help is appreciated.

Gerri

Thank you


Original Question -
Why would the new leaves on my Schefflera plant come out perfect and then turn black and drop off before they are a half inch in size?  Only the leaves drop, not the stem.  Thank you.
Answer -
Gerri,

It is not getting enough direct sun. Scheffleras need as much sun as possible. In the summer mine here in northeast Indiana goes outdoors in full sun. Give it more light next to a south facing window with no drapes or minblinds closed all day and you will see an improvement within a week. Good luck.
         Darlene

Answer
Gerri,

It could be a root problem. Take it out of the pot and see.  If the roots are black and mushy it has been overwatered. If they are wiry and it is slightly rootbound it is fine. If it is drastically rootbound and you do not want to repot it take a very sharp knife and cut the outer 1-2 inches of the root ball off all the way around and 1-2 inches off the bottom of the rootball, then put some fresh soil in the bottom of the pot and put the scheff back in. Put fresh soil around the outside of the plant. Then fertilize the plant with 1/4th strength of water soluable fertilizer such as Miracle Grow or one of the generics. Do not use it at full strength or it will burn the newly pruned roots. This is a bonsai practice that works as well on full size plants that you do not want to move to a larger pot.  It reinvigorates the roots and gives you a healthier plant.
After that fertilize it once a month but not in December or January.
If you look at the roots and discover any other problems write again. Otherwise light is the only answer. In my experience scheffs need more than indirect light and mine are happiest outdoors in full sun during the summer. Good luck.

         Darlene