Hello! I inherited this plant from my dad, who has had it since he was in college roughly 40 years ago. It's been in the same pot since I can remember, so I'm guessing about 15-20 years. When he first gave it to me, I trimmed a few stems which resulted in new growth at the top of the plant. I'm guessing it's some type of umbrella tree, but postings I've read about this type of plant indicate that it grows rather quickly... my plant has barely grown at all since owning it. Does anyone know what this is? I've been toying with the idea of re-potting it since I'm fairly certain it's root-bound. But this scares me to death because I don't want to kill it!! I'm located in the northeast, so the plant comes inside during the winter and I move it back outside during the summer. Any help with its identity and what to do to make it grow more will be MUCH appreciated!
Yup, that's Schefflera actinophylla all right. It looks desparately potbound - it needs something about three times the size it's in now in order for you to see new growth. Repotting doesn't have to be traumatic for you or the tree; start with a pot that's about three times the size, fill it about a third to a half with a good mix of soil, peat, bark and a touch of charcoal, then (and have a friend help you, since Scheffies that size are heavy), pop the old pot off of the plant, set it into the new pot, and fill around the edges with soil. Give the soil a light patting down and the plant a good drink, and voila! You've repotted your Schefflera. They are very tolerant of this kind of abuse and it will likely sulk for about a day and then perk right back up again.
Thanks, Lorax! After it's re-potted, how often should I be watering it? My watering schedule now is pretty sporadic (ie whenever I remember)... it seems to like drying out before it gets watered again... does this sound right? Should I be fertilizing it every so often? Also another question.... lots of pictures I've seen of these on the net have many more leaves than mine does... should I consider pruning at all? If so, how do I do this?
Get it repotted first and await developments. Delay pruning, fertilizing, etc. and give your plant a chance to adjust to its new home...and breathe a sigh of relief! Entirely agree with lorax's diagnosis and advice.
I never fertilize Scheffs, but I have excellent soils and mine are all in-ground, so I'm not a good person to ask about that. In pots, I'd water when the soil is dry to the depth of my first knuckle, when I stick a finger in. And follow Togata's advice - delay pruning and fertilizing until the plant is fully established in its new pot. Flushes of new growth will follow!
