schefflera problem

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by spiderman, May 31, 2008.

  1. spiderman

    spiderman Member

    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    toronto canada
    I have a schefflera which is about 10 years old. it has been a very healthy indoor plant for most of this time. last year it had a bad case of scale which I seem to have beaten.

    something else seems to be disturbing its young leaves: several have failed to grow beyond a little "nub" on the stem which turns brown-black. others have grown out with severe wrinkles and deformations. I originally thought this might be the scale, but now I'm unsure. there are no insects visible to the eye.

    any thoughts?
     
  2. edleigh7

    edleigh7 Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,769
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Brisbane Queensland Australia
    A pic would help us identify the problem : )

    Ed
     
  3. Bluewing

    Bluewing Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    You might want to look "very" closely at the deformed leaves for tiny spidermites. If you have an eye-loop, or a magnifying glass that could help id what pest, if any, it might be.
     
  4. Flaxe

    Flaxe Active Member

    Messages:
    64
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver
    For inspecting spidermites, it might be easier to slowly lift or look under the leaves. Look for fine webs under direct sunlight or bright light - easier to see. I might have suggested burning from fertilizer with the black/brown new growth, but the deformations sound a bit more hostile.
     
  5. spiderman

    spiderman Member

    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    toronto canada
    I have never seen any webs on this plant. and I can't see anything with a magnifying glass.

    Aside from liquid plant food during the growing season, I have only fertilized it once, quite recently, with an organic bat guano based product. the problem pre-dates the fertilizer.

    its almost every second leaf that gets hit.

    here are some snaps.

    thanks!
     

    Attached Files:

Share This Page