Sheflera
Content:
Schefflera / Schefflera /, belonging to the Aralievs, can be easily found in the wild in the tropical climate of any continent (of course, if there are tropics on this continent). These are Australia, China, Pacific Islands, Japan. The wild chefler can be seen in both tree and bush form.
Shefler, with its beautiful, showy leaves, similar to the palm of a person, is often compared to an umbrella. And in some countries the names "gnome umbrella" or "umbrella tree" have stuck to the plant.
Scheflera description and characteristics
Schefflera / Schefflera / belonging to the Aralievs can easily be found in the wild in the tropical climate of any continent (of course, if there are tropics on this continent). These are Australia, China, Pacific Islands, Japan. The wild chefler can be seen in both tree and bush form.
Shefler, with its beautiful, showy leaves, similar to the palm of a person, is often compared to an umbrella. And in some countries the names "gnome umbrella" or "umbrella tree" have stuck to the plant.
On the leaf blades, located on high petioles, there are cuts into 4-12 parts.
The shape of the elongated racemose inflorescences of the cheflera is very similar to the tentacles or antenna. True, you can see the plant blooming only by visiting the botanical garden, since it will not bloom at home. She decorates the house with her graceful shape and spectacular foliage.
It is often compared to ficus benjamin for its similarity in cultivation. Sheflera is most often grown as a large house solitaire plant, with the formation of a small tree or bush.
Two or three (or more) young plants are usually planted in one pot container, from which one intertwining stem-stem is formed. It is possible to plant one plant, but with support.
Sheflera is grown at home is not difficult in view of its undemanding and unpretentiousness. There are no more tricks in caring for it than other common house plants.
It should be remembered that the chefler, if it gets on the mucous membranes, can cause irritation, so be careful with it.
Sheflera growing and care at home
About illumination
Good illumination is necessary for chefs. In autumn and winter, it is placed on the south window, and in the summer, it is shaded and does not allow direct sunlight to hit the plant. It is best to place an adult plant next to the southern (in extreme cases, the east and west are also suitable) windowsill.
In the absence of sunny and warm places in the house, choose non-variegated varieties for growing, as they are very fond of light.
In late spring and until mid-autumn, it is good to put the flower on the balcony in a small partial shade.
About moisture
Sheflera prefers high air humidity, but she will easily adapt to normal air. But spraying is indispensable here (soft, warm, settled water will do).
About temperature conditions
For chefs, home conditions are comfortable conditions. In winter, the most preferable temperature is from 16 to 18 degrees (at least 12). Ideal for chefs - normal room temperature, no drafts or heating appliances.
With slight fluctuations in temperature, the culture thrives.
About watering
The chef should be watered regularly and little by little with settled non-hard water. It is important that the soil does not dry out. In winter, watering is significantly reduced. I would like to emphasize that moisture stagnation and soil acidification are contraindicated for chefs. Otherwise, she will die.
Another small nuance: the water for irrigation should not be cold, only room temperature is suitable.
About fertilizers
Feeding the cheflers produce universal fertilizers. The frequency of dressings is 2 rubles / month during the growing season (spring-summer). For transplanted chefs, top dressing should be applied as soon as young leaves appear.
About the features of pruning
For the splendor of the bush, more than one chef is often planted in one pot container. The tree-like shape can be obtained by pruning. True, this procedure must be carried out correctly so as not to harm the culture.
It happens that improper care leads to the fact that the chef begins to lose leaves. In this case, low pruning can be called for help. Of course, in this case, the plant must have a healthy root system. The stumps are watered and even covered with wet moss. With detailed observance of all the recommendations, very soon the chefs can see the appearance of young shoots.
About the dormant period
In winter, there is a period of growth pause (relative rest). Shefler at this time is transferred to a bright room with a temperature regime of + 14 + 16 degrees. Reduce watering.
About transplant rules
For a young plant, transplantation is carried out every year in the spring. An adult chef is transplanted much less often or for some reason. For transplanting, take a pot container of a necessarily larger size and do not forget about good drainage.
How to choose the right soil
Transplanted to the chefler in slightly acidic (pH should be below 6) light soil.
We offer 2 compositions of potting soil for the chefler:
a) fibrous peat - sand - humus (1: 1: 3).
b) sand, humus earth, sod land (1: 1: 2).
Breeding chefs
Here, cuttings are used, sowing of seed, air layering is also possible.
Seed material is purchased in markets. Sowing is carried out mainly in the middle or at the end of winter. To do this, take sand and peat (1: 1), and sowing is carried out in this mixture, soaking the seeds in zircon or epine in advance.
Next, the planting should be moistened with a spray bottle and placed in a warm place at a temperature of 20 to 24 degrees). The newly planted seeds are covered with a glass cloth or polyethylene. Do not forget about airing and moisturizing at this time. As soon as 2-3 leaves appear, the plants are planted in small pots.
When grafting, take a semi-lignified cutting. To root it, place it in sandy-peat soil, not forgetting to pre-treat it with one of the means that stimulate the growth of the root system. Cover the stalk with polyethylene, maintaining the temperature regime from 20 to 22 degrees and sometimes ventilate.
About harmful insects and diseases chefs
The sheffler can be attacked by spider mites, aphids and scale insects.
Let's talk about the reasons for attacking plants and the possibilities of getting rid of pests.
- A possible cause of foliage falling off can be cold drafts in winter, high temperatures in summer, as well as decay of the root system due to waterlogging.
- Light spots on the leaves may be the result of direct sun exposure.
- Pulling shoots and faded foliage can result from a lack of sunlight.
- The reason for the appearance of brownish rims on the leaves is the low values of air humidity.
Varieties
Have the cheflera tree-like, this small tree has a branched straight trunk. Mature branches have a light brown color, while young ones have a greenish color. The length of the complex odd-pinnate leaves reaches 20 cm. Sometimes the leaves can be spotted (the color of the spots is yellow, cream or white).
Have the chefs fingered, of a low appearance with dissected seven to ten lobed leaves, a bright appearance. Very often, the choice of landscape designers stops at the variegated varieties of this culture.
The chefs have an eight-leaf petiole has 8-12 oblong-lanceolate leaflets with light-colored veins and sharp tops. Young, shiny leaves have an olive-green color, while mature ones have a deep green.
The cheflera have a radiant or star-leaved long burgundy petioles, the palette of shiny leaves can be - from golden, olive to deep green.
