Sheffler mix care. Proper care of indoor flower sheflera. How to water, fertilize, prune an umbrella tree. Sheflera - signs

Plant sheflera (lat. Shefflera), or sheffler, or umbrella tree , refers to the big family plants of the Araliaceae family, numbering about 200 species. Sheffler's flower got its name either in honor of the German botanist Jacob Christian Scheffler, who lived in the 18th century, or in honor of the Polish scientist Peter Ernest Jan Scheffler. In nature, representatives of this genus are lianas, shrubs or trees, reaching a height of two and a half meters and growing in the tropics of Australia, South-East Asia and the Pacific islands. In culture, some garden forms of cheflers with variegated foliage are in demand; cheflera has been grown relatively recently in the house.

This is an exotic relaxant plant that absorbs negative energy like a sponge, saturates the air with oxygen and increases its humidity.

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Planting and caring for a sheflera

  • Bloom: the plant is grown as an ornamental deciduous plant.
  • Lighting: bright light in the first half of the day, bright diffused light or light partial shade in the second (eastern and western window sills). You can keep the chefler near the south window, but behind light curtain. Variegated varieties are more photophilous than forms with single-color leaves.
  • Temperature: during the growing season - usual for residential premises, in winter - 16-18 ˚C, lower temperature threshold - 12 ˚C.
  • Watering: regular, moderate, with cool wintering - rare.
  • Air humidity: above average. It is recommended to spray the leaves with warm soft water, especially in the heat and during the winter in a warm room.
  • Top dressing: from March to August 2-3 times a month with complex fertilizer for decorative and deciduous crops. The rest of the time they do not feed.
  • rest period: from September to February.
  • Transfer: young plants are transplanted annually, adults - as needed. Transplantation is carried out in the spring, at the beginning active growth.
  • Reproduction: seeds, air layers and cuttings.
  • Pests: aphids, thrips, scale insects, spider mites.
  • Diseases: from chronic waterlogging of the soil - root rot, due to poor care - loss of decorative qualities.

Read more about growing cheflers below.

Shefler flower - description

Shefler's home flower is an ornamental deciduous plant with palmately dissected leaves with 4-12 lobes, which look like a palm with spread fingers, solid green or variegated colors with yellow or white spots and stains. The inflorescences of sheflera are elongated, racemose, similar to tentacles, but you are unlikely to be lucky to see them, since the plant blooms only in nature or in a botanical garden. Typically, a room chefler is shaped like a tree, like Benjamin's ficus, or in the form of a bush. The shoots of the plant are thin, so when grown in one trunk, it has to be attached to a support.

Schefflera is relatively unpretentious, so it will not be difficult to grow it even for a beginner grower, however, it should be remembered that the plant contains substances that irritate the skin and mucous membranes, so care must be taken when caring for it.

Care for a chefler at home

How to care for a chef

Sheflera is a light-loving plant, so it is placed on the southern, western or eastern windowsill, but during the period of too strong sun activity, the plant is covered from direct rays with a light curtain. If you already got an adult large shefler, install it near the south window in the immediate vicinity of the curtains. In an apartment where there is little light, you should not grow variegated varieties, since they are more photophilous than a shefler with green leaves: from a lack of lighting, variegated leaves become monochromatic.

In the summer, the chefler takes vacations well on fresh air in light partial shade, protected from wind and drafts.

The humidity in the room where the chefler is located should be above average, and although the plant easily adapts to room conditions, daily spraying with settled water will have a beneficial effect on it. When dust accumulates on sheflera leaves, it is advisable to arrange a shower for it or wipe the leaves with a damp sponge.

AT winter time when heating devices are working in the apartment, the shefler is installed on a pallet with wet expanded clay or pebbles, but in such a way that the roots of the plant do not touch the water. As for the temperature, in the summer the chefler feels normal in the usual temperature for this time, but in winter she is more comfortable in conditions of 16-18 ºC, the lower limit winter temperature for a plant 12 ºC.

Water the chefler with settled water, preventing the earthen clod from drying out. However, one should refrain from too frequent and abundant watering, which can lead to acidification of the soil and rotting of the roots. The water temperature for watering the sheflera should be the same as the temperature in the room, or a couple of degrees warmer.

Schefflera transplant

It is advisable to transplant young plants annually in the spring, and adults - once every few years, as the pot is filled with roots. The container is taken 5-6 centimeters in diameter more than the previous pot. Before transplanting a shefler, place a thick layer of drainage in the pot, which will prevent stagnation of water in the roots.

Soil for sheflera requires light, permeable, but at the same time fertile. The three-part potting mix best suits cheflera tastes compost land, one part fibrous peat and one and a half parts coarse sand, although universal purchased soil or soil for palm trees. In a new pot with a drainage layer, carefully transfer the shefler along with an earthen clod, add required amount soil mixture, lightly tamping it. After transplanting, the plant is watered.

Sheflera fertilizer

Caring for a sheflera at home provides for mandatory fertilization of the soil in which it grows. Shefler is fed two to three times a month from March to August with complex mineral fertilizers for decorative leafy plants in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, alternating them with powder from crushed eggshell in the amount of one tablespoon. In winter, the chefler does not need additional feeding.

Sheflera in winter

When the dormant period begins, the chefler is placed in a bright room with a temperature not higher than 16-18 ºC, where she will stay until spring. Sheflera in winter does not need such frequent and abundant moisture as in summer time, but the principle of watering remains the same: as the top layer of soil in the pot dries. We remind you: in winter, the chefler does not need fertilizers.

Home chefler - reproduction

How to propagate sheflera

Sheflera is propagated at home by seeds, air layering and cuttings. by the most in a simple way propagation is cuttings, especially since the indoor sheflera does not bloom and, therefore, does not produce seeds.

Propagation of a chefler by cuttings

For grafting, it is necessary to cut off the most developed semi-lignified shoots, cut cuttings with two internodes from them with a sharp knife, treat them with a growth stimulator - hold for 6-8 hours in a Heteroauxin solution, and dip them in Kornevin immediately before planting. Shefler cuttings are planted in pots filled with a mixture of peat and sand in equal proportions, covered with a transparent cap and, keeping the temperature under it within 22 ºC, place the cuttings under bright diffused light.

From time to time, the soil is moistened from the sprayer and the cap is removed briefly to ventilate the cuttings. When the segments of the shoots take root, they are moved to a temperature of 18-20 ºC, and when the roots fill the entire pot, they are transplanted into a bowl bigger size and keep at a temperature of 14-16 ºC until full rooting.

Propagation of cheflers by seeds

If you purchased sheflera seeds, sow them in January or February in a disinfected mixture of peat and sand in equal parts or in a sterile leaf substrate, sod land and sand. Seeds are also subject to processing before sowing: they are soaked in a solution of Epin or Zircon. Close up the seeds to a depth equal to three times the size of the seed, after which the sowing is watered, covered with a film and placed in a warm place, maintaining the temperature under the film within 20-24 ºC. From time to time, the film is slightly opened to ventilate and moisten the substrate.

If you have the opportunity, arrange bottom heating for the crops - this will speed up the germination of seedlings. At the stage of development, seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, they are dived into separate containers with a diameter of 7-9 cm and kept at a temperature of 14-16 ºC. With normal development, by autumn, the seedlings are transplanted into pots with a diameter of 10-12 cm with a substrate consisting of soddy, leafy soil and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1.

Reproduction of cheflers by layering

Large plants propagate by air layering. To do this, the cheflers cut the trunk vertically, wrap the cut site with wet sphagnum moss, which is moistened with a nutrient solution of 1 g of complex fertilizer in a liter of water or phytohormone, and from above this part of the trunk with moss is hermetically wrapped with polyethylene. The moss should be wet all the time, so you will have to remove or lift the film from time to time.

After a while, roots form at the site of damage to the trunk, and two months after their appearance, the entire upper part the trees are cut under the area where the roots have formed, and transplanted into a separate pot. The lower part is cut almost to the root and the remaining stump is watered. It is possible that he will give young shoots.

Pests and diseases

Sheflera turns yellow

With improper or insufficient care, sheflera is affected by scale insects, red spider mites and thrips. As a result of the vital activity of these insects, the plant loses its decorative effect: the leaves of the cheflera turn yellow, its growth slows down, and in the end it dies. To avoid the death of the plant from insects, regularly inspect the chefler, and when the first pests appear, remove them from the plant with a rag or cotton swab dipped in soapy water. If you missed their appearance, and they have already occupied the plant, treat the chefler with a solution of Karbofos or Aktellik (15-20 drops per 1 liter of water), just make sure that chemicals do not get into the ground. With a very strong pest infestation, the treatment will have to be repeated after two weeks.

Yellow spots on the chefler arise from too bright light. Move the plant further into the room or shade it with a curtain from direct sunlight.

Sheflera drops leaves

It happens that there are no pests on the plant, but, nevertheless, the shefler crumbles. Why does the chefler fall off? The cause of sheflera leaf fall may lie in uncomfortable conditions for the plant. For example, if the room temperature is below 14 or above 30 ºC for a long time. Or in the case when its roots rot from chronic waterlogging.

How to save the chefler from death in this case? It is necessary to take it out of the pot, carefully remove the rotten parts of the roots, then lower the sheflera roots into a solution of Epin or Zircon, then treat them with Fitosporin or sprinkle with crushed coal, transplant them into a fresh wet substrate and put a transparent plastic bag on the plant, sometimes removing it for airing and soil moisture. The final package can be removed after 5-7 days.

Sometimes sheflera leaves fall due to insufficient lighting, the variegated forms of the plant are especially affected by this.

Sheflera turns black

Readers often complain that the leaves of the cheflers turn black, starting from the tips. This usually happens when the humidity in the room is low or due to poor watering. Correct these shortcomings in care, and gradually the plant will restore its shape.

Sheflera - signs

When a chefler is accused of energy vampirism, it must be admitted that there is some truth in these accusations. Sheflera really absorbs energy, but only negative, so do not panic, but, on the contrary, try to spend some time next to her, especially if you are overcome by anxious or sad thoughts. Sheflera removes negativity and brings a sense of harmony, helps to stop quarrels in the family. The best place in the house for cheflers - a bedroom. It is there that you relax during sleep, and the cheflera absorbs all your anxieties and neuroses, instilling vigor and peace.

You can place the shefler in the office or next to the student's study corner, since esotericism suggests that the plant has the ability to contribute to the productive assimilation of knowledge.

It is also claimed that with the help of sheflers it is possible to predict the future. For example, those phenomena that we have just explained by objective reasons are interpreted differently in the world of superstitions. For example:

  • if the leaves of the cheflers are darkening, this is a sign that there is a lot of negative energy in the room;
  • if the chefler falls, this is a harbinger that someone living in the house will fall ill, or there will be a financial collapse, the loss of a large amount of money;
  • when the leaves of a plant curl up, this is a scandal with households or work colleagues - it depends on where the plant is located;
  • if the chefler without visible reasons stopped its development, this is an omen of future failures;
  • unexpected intensive growth of cheflera - to replenishment in the family.

There is an opinion that a chefler growing up in the office attracts clients and good business partners, and therefore, one can expect an increase in income. By the way, most of all the plant helps people born under the fire signs of the zodiac - Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.

Types and varieties of cheflers

Very spectacular view with an unusual arrangement of leaves: 8-10 elongate-lanceolate shiny leathery leaves with a pointed apex 30-40 cm long and about 10 cm wide on drooping cream petioles. When the leaves are young, they are olive green in color, when they age, they become lighter, and the veins become lighter than the leaf plate. The underside of the leaves is matte, pale green.

She is Aralia Schefflera (Aralia schefflera) originally from New Zealand. This tree is 3 to 8 m high with palm-shaped leaves dissected into 7-10 lobes, 15 to 35 cm long. The lobes are lanceolate, thin, parchment-shaped, oblong-pointed, 6 to 8 long, 4 to 6 cm wide. margins serrated, young pinnate or irregularly lobed. The petioles are cylindrical in cross section, from 7 to 20 cm long. Small flowers are collected in umbellate inflorescences in an amount of 4 to 8 pieces.

A tree with an upright branching stem. Young shoots of this species are green, old light brown. The leaves, unlike other species, are pinnately complex, up to 20 cm long. This species has several varieties:

  • Gold Capella - this variety looks like a palm tree. Its leaves are green with small yellow spots;
  • Amate is a variety with bright green leaves that does not require bright lighting, is the most resistant to pests and diseases.

Schefflera radiata

Or stellate (Schefflera actinophylla) - the most common species in culture with a powerful erect gray-brown trunk, thickened at the base. Palmately compound leaves, consisting of 7 ovate lobes with a slightly wavy edge, are located on very long red-brown petioles. In the original form, the leaves are bright green, shiny. Some lobes are so wide in the middle that their edges overlap. The veins are lighter than the leaf plate. This species has many varieties:

Shade Tolerant Araliaceae Plants on W

After this article, they usually read

1. Growing temperature: throughout the year, a fairly cool content at a temperature of 16 - 18 degrees Celsius is suitable for shefflers.
2. Lighting: A brightly lit location with some shade from the direct sun.
3. Watering and humidity: in spring and summer, dry the soil 2 - 3 centimeters deep before each subsequent watering, in winter just protect the earthen ball from completely drying out if the plant is in a cool place. Humidity is quite high.
4. pruning: regular pruning and pinching the tips of young shoots to form a compact and dense plant.
5. Priming: a well-drained and nutritious substrate that easily passes moisture and air to the roots of the flower.
6. top dressing: from spring to autumn, they are monthly fed with mineral fertilizers for decorative leafy plants.
7. reproduction: rooting stem and leaf cuttings, rarely - seeds.

botanical name: Schefflera.

Schefflera home - family. Araliaceae.

plant homeland. Australia and Oceania.

What does it look like. The genus consists of about 900 evergreen shrubs, vines or low trees. Most indoor plants are shrubs with erect stems. With age stems woody and covered with light brown bark.

Complex leaves shefflers have very long petioles and are arranged alternately on the stems. The leaves consist of oblong-oval segments arranged in a circle, the number of segments varies from 5 to 14. In green-leaved species, the leaves are monotonous green, variegated varieties are distinguished by the presence of white or yellow spots on the leaves.

In nature sheffler throws out peduncles, bearing many small, often reddish flowers. After flowering, the plant forms rounded berries.

Height. In its natural environment, the sheffler flower takes on impressive dimensions and can reach 14 m in height. AT room conditions plants are pruned or grown in low varieties.

The size of plants at home is also affected by the volume of the pot - in cramped containers, plant development slows down.

2.Schaeffler care at home

2.1. Reproduction, growing from a leaf

Sheffler breeds stem cuttings under cover from transparent plastic or glass with the use of growth hormones.

Rooting is quite easy, sometimes even in a simple glass of water in spring and summer. A small amount of crushed charcoal should be added to the rooting water.

It is advisable to treat the bases of the cuttings with growth hormones and cover the young plants with a transparent plastic cap or a simple plastic bag to maintain uniform humidity.

2.2. Transplant

Young plants are planted annually in fresh soil and a larger pot, adults - transplant every 2 - 3 years.

In tub shrubs, the transplantation of which is difficult, they change upper layer mixtures on fresh soil annually.

The plant should be provided with a sufficiently spacious pot to increase the feeding area.

2.3.When it blooms

At home, flowering occurs very rarely. In nature, plants bloom in the summer months.

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2.4. How to care for a shefflera, pruning

The plant is very popular in culture due to its spectacular appearance and unpretentiousness of cultivation.

Wipe occasionally leaves plants with a damp sponge to remove dust.

cut the sheffler autumn to maintain a compact form. The plant reacts to pruning with the appearance of a large number of lateral shoots, which allows the formation of a dense and lush crown.

pinch apical buds of young plants to form a dense crown.

Provide long stems support for growth.

Periodically turn the pot with a sheffler with different sides to the light source so that the plant develops symmetrically.

2.5. Diseases and pests

  • Yellowing and fall leaves can be caused by stagnation of moisture at the roots.
  • With periodic bays, the plant becomes lethargic and this behavior encourages novice growers to water, which further exacerbates the situation.Unfortunately, this situation often leads the sheffler to death.
  • With a lack of light, plants become elongated.
  • As the plant ages, lose lower leaves and bare stems - such plants should be subjected to cardinal anti-aging pruning.
  • The lack of moisture makes the plant drop leaves.
  • The leaves are getting smaller and fade with a lack nutrients.
  • If there are cold drafts in the room or placed near heating appliances plants may lose leaves.

From harmful insects mealybugs, aphids and red spider mites, scale insects can encroach on the flower.

Insects - pests

insect name Signs of infection Control measures
Mealybug The surface of the leaves and shoots is covered with a fluffy cotton-like white coating. Plants lag behind in development Folk remedies: spraying with soapy-alcohol solution. Infusion of tobacco, garlic, cyclamen tubers, alcohol treatments, and pharmacy tincture of calendula performed well. Chemicals: green soap solution, Aktellik, Fitoverm.
spider mite Inconspicuous cobwebs on the leaves, yellowing and falling of foliage with extensive damage. The surface of the leaf plates becomes dead and covered with small cracks. Plant development slows down. Folk ways. Plants can be washed in the shower and left in the bathroom in a humid atmosphere for half an hour. Irradiation ultraviolet lamp every week for 2 minutes. Chemicals based on pyrethrum, sulfur powders, Fitoverm, Aktellik.
Aphid Sticky droplets appear on the leaf blades, leaf blades curl and deform, tender buds and young leaves wither. On the tops of the shoots, buds or the underside of the leaf plates, insect colonies can be seen. The flowers of an aphid-infested plant may become misshapen. Folk ways: nettle infusion, decoction of rhubarb leaves, wormwood, soap solution, tobacco and dandelion infusion, onion, marigold, yarrow, tansy, dusting with virgin ash. Chemicals: Sulfur powders, treatment with green potassium soap of green mass without getting into the ground, Decis, Aktellik, Fitoverm.
Shield and false shield Sticky droplets on the leaves, yellow small spots on the surface of the leaf blades. With a large spread of scale insects, they contribute to the drying and falling of leaves. Flowers slow down Folk methods of struggle. Spraying with soapy-alcohol solution. Scale insect larvae do not like garlic infusion, they also use pyrethrum-based products. Chemicals. Fitoverm, Aktellik, Fufanon.

2.6.Ground

Loose rich soil with good drainage.

Suitable mixture garden soil with leaf humus, peat, with the addition of a small amount of coarse river sand and crushed charcoal.

2.7. Watering

The frequency of watering will depend on the temperature. environment.

When kept in a room with a temperature above 20 ° C, maintain the soil evenly moist but not swampy. At a temperature of about 16 ° C - dry the top layer of soil with a thickness of about 3 cm between waterings.

A few minutes after watering, excess moisture from the pan should be drained.

2.8. Fertilizers for shefflers

In spring and summer feed liquid fertilizers monthly. In autumn and winter, plants are given rest and feeding is stopped.

2.9 Lighting

brightly lit place with large quantity reflected sunlight, but no direct rays.

Plants develop well in partial shade, but they can react to a lack of light by yellowing and dropping leaves.

2.10 Temperature

Scheffler prefers at home cool conditions and dislikes extreme heat.

Throughout the year, it is desirable to keep plants at a temperature 16 - 18°C. At a higher temperature in the room, the frequency of watering and air humidity should be increased.

During the winter months not expose plants to temperature below 10°C.

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2.11 Spraying

Increase humidity with tray with wet pebbles or room humidifier, as well as surrounding the pot with a layer wet sphagnum moss.

Spray the plant can be in the morning with water at room temperature.

Schefflera can be kept indoors without additional moisture, but will look healthier with high humidity.

2.12. Purpose

Suitable for landscaping spacious and bright rooms.

2.13.
Note

All above ground plant parts poisonous– be careful when contacting the shefflera and keep children and pets away from the plant.

This species will grow indoors with proper care for many years.

2.14.Hydroponics

Grows well in hydroponics.

3. Varieties:

3.1. Scheffler "Gerda" - Schefflera arboricola "Gerda"

A beautiful variety of tree-like shefflera with variegated, glossy leaves, painted in the center of the leaf blade in greenish, yellow or White color, and along the edges of the leaves - in green tint. The plant can reach a height of 2.5 - 3 m, so it needs periodic corrective pruning.

3.2. Schefflera tree "Janine" - Schefflera arboricola "Janine"

Low tree-like variegated shefflera, forming a very lush bush. The leaves are divided into 5 - 7 glossy, oblong - oval, entire segments - fingers, painted in shades of green, white or yellowish. Basic distinctive feature of this variety is that many segments have a solid white, greenish or yellow color.

3.3. Schefflera "Nora" - Schefflera "Nora"

Air variety of tree shefflera, characterized by compact size. The leaves are monochromatic - green, glossy, divided into 5 - 7 very thin, oval fingers. Sometimes on sale you can find plants of this variety with beautifully braided trunks.

3.4. Schefflera "Melanie" - Schefflera "Melanie"

A variegated variant of the tree shefflera about 50 cm high with very attractive compound, palmate leaves. The main shade of the leaves is light green or yellowish, standard green may be present only on some fingers or along the edges of the leaf blades in the form of a thin strip.

3.5. Schefflera's most elegant "Bianca" - Schefflera elegantissima "Bianca"

Sheffler's most elegant is also called dizigotheka. Valuable ornamental leafy plant with tall, erect, often branched shoots at the base and complex, divided into "fingers" leaves. In this variety, the "fingers" are very long, the edges of the leaf plates have large teeth. The leaves are dark green with a thin white border around the edges. The central vein is also highlighted with a light shade. In general, the plant has a delicate, airy appearance.

3.6. Schefflera "Louisiana" - Schefflera "Louisiana"

Variety of tree shefflera. The plants are tall - they can reach a height of 70 to 150 cm. The stems are erect, profusely branching, woody with age and covered with light brown bark. The leaves are compound, palmate, green, glossy. The fingers are oblong - lanceolate, thin, give the whole appearance of the plant an openwork appearance.

3.7. Schefflera ray or stellate - Schefflera actinophylla

In the natural environment, this species often grows as an epiphyte on other trees, although it reaches an impressive size - up to 12 m in height. It has upright, branched shoots, becoming woody with age and covered with a smooth greenish-brown bark. The leaves are compound - consist of 7 - 16 fingers, with drooping long, dark green, glossy fingers, reach a diameter of 60 cm. Often the edges of the leaf plates are slightly corrugated. In nature, this species has the most gorgeous flowering - large inflorescences with many small pinkish flowers are formed on the tops of the shoots.

3.8. Schefflera "Amate" - Schefflera "Amate"

A variety of finger shefflera, a tall plant that easily reaches 2 m in height even at room conditions. The leaves are compound, composed of dark green, glossy, relatively wide fingers. It differs in that even adult plants do not expose the lower part of the trunk, in addition, leaf fall does not occur even in low light conditions.

3.9. Schefflera "Gold Capella" - Schefflera "Gold Capella"

A variegated variant of the tree shefflera. Evergreen perennials up to 3 m high with dark green palmate leaves. The stems are thick, erect, with age covered with a smooth greenish bark. Often on sale there are plants with intertwined trunks. A striking varietal feature is the presence of yellow spots of various shapes and sizes on the leaves of plants.

AT natural conditions This evergreen a small tree or shrub is found in the tropical zone almost all over the world. Their height reaches 1.5-2.5 meters, while decorative species are slightly lower.

Main external feature This plant has a palmately dissected leaf structure.

In their shape, the leaves resemble a palm with wide-set fingers, the number of which varies from 7 to 12. Very often, a sheffler is called an umbrella tree for this leaf structure.

Leaf color depending on type of shefflers, can be uniform green, or variegated, with white-yellow streaks and spots. Radiation the arrangement of the leaves, combined with the unusual coloring, creates an attractive lush crown of the plant. In conditions home breeding umbrella tree practically does not bloom.

Types of shefflers

Basic rules for caring indoor flowers cheflers are legitimate for the following species.

Schefflera eight-leaf. Distinguished by its spectacular appearance. On its drooping cream petioles, 8-12 leaves of an elongated lanceolate form are attached. Leaves up to 30 long and up to 10 cm wide with a pointed apex and lighter veins than the main color. Young leaves are olive green while older leaves are green.

Schefflera tree. This is a small tree with an erect, branching trunk. Originally green branches young plant with age take on a light brown color. The leaves grow up to 20 cm long. This species is one of the most popular among indoor crops tree shefflera.

The following are especially common variegated forms:

  • "Geisha Girl" - with dark green leaves rounded at the ends;
  • "Gold Capella" - characterized by the presence of yellow and light green spots on dark green leaves;
  • "Hayata" - has oval-elongated leaves of light green color, narrowed at the ends;
  • "Variegata" - has yellow spots on dark green leaves;
  • "Janine" is one of the "compact" species, the plants of which do not exceed 1-2 meters in height. Differs in unusual forked and rounded at the ends dark green leaves with cream spots and stripes.

Schefflera radiata(or stellate) is also widely represented in a cultural form. It is a tree-like, well-branched plant, usually having several trunks. Palmate-compound leaves on long petioles with 7-12 lobes reach a length of 30 cm.

Sheffler's finger. Very compact and easy to grow at home. Leaflets are dissected into 8 lobes with wavy edges. The variegated forms of the plant are very effective.

Caring for a room shefflera

Flower shefflers are not picky about care, but still prefer comfort. She adapts well to the conditions modern apartment if you provide her with the care and attention she needs.

Where to place the shefflera pot

by the most suitable place for a comfortable stay of this tropical guest there will be oriental and western windows. The plant prefers bright places, but categorically does not accept direct sunlight. It is very important to ensure good air circulation indoors, but it is necessary to keep the sheffler pot away from drafts.

Temperature and humidity

Too much high performance temperature harmful to shefflers. Ideally, if in the summer months it is possible to maintain the temperature at + 18 + 22 degrees. This is possible if the room is equipped with air conditioning, but you should not place the plant under air currents. It has been observed that in air-conditioned rooms the sheffler grows and develops much faster.

Considering that the tropics are the birthplace of this plant, it becomes clear that the sheffler needs to be provided high humidity environment, for which the pot with the plant is placed in a tray with wet expanded clay. Will be useful and regular spraying settled soft water. In winter, if the temperature of the content is the same as in summer, spraying is not canceled.

Lighting

Schefflerphotophilous plant, and variegated forms are in great need of good lighting. In winter and autumn, it is advisable to rearrange the flower pot to the south side, creating diffused light with the help of light shading. At insufficient lighting the shrub begins to wither and wither.

Watering

One of the important conditions for successful cultivation shefflers is compliance correct mode glaze. The plant does not tolerate excess moisture, the stagnation of which leads to putrefactive processes in the root system. Watering the green inhabitant should be moderate, but the earthy coma should not be allowed to dry out.

Water for irrigation need soft, defended, water temperature must match the soil temperature. Reduce watering during the winter months.

top dressing

Fertilize sheffler during the period of active growth, that is, from spring to autumn, on average, once every 10 days. To do this, use a solution of universal fertilizer for decorative leafy plants, sometimes alternating it with organic top dressing.

Replanting an umbrella tree

Young plants once a year need transplant. Transplantation is carried out with the beginning of spring, in a pot much larger than the previous one. It is necessary to provide the plant with good drainage, for which a layer of expanded clay is laid on the bottom of the pot. Soil for transplantation is used with such composition:

  • turf (2 parts);
  • sheet (1 part);
  • humus (1 part);
  • sand (1 part).

mature plant transplanted transshipment method every few years, trying not to disturb the earthen ball and not damage the roots. If the sheffler has grown to a very large size, you can limit yourself to replacing the topsoil.

pruning

To get a beautiful lush tree, you need from time to time trim the tops of the shefflers, after which the plant will release new side shoots. Thus, a spherical volumetric crown will be formed, giving the plant a more decorative look. It is also possible to form a tree-like crown by cutting off the lateral and lower shoots.

Reproduction and care of the sheflera

breeds sheffler in several ways:

  • cuttings;
  • layering;
  • seeds.

Since room plant does not produce seeds, therefore, the first two methods are most often used for reproduction at home.

Developed cuttings cut with a knife and treated with a growth stimulator, after which they are planted in prepared soil from peat and sand for rooting. planted cuttings cover with a transparent film or a jar, or use ready-made greenhouses sold in specialized stores.

For high-quality rooting of cuttings, shefflers should be maintained soil moisture and air temperature at around +22 degrees. To obtain air layers on a developed mother plant, a shallow incision is made, which is wrapped in wet moss and covered with plastic wrap.

After 1.5 - 2 months roots appear, after which the layers with roots are separated from the mother plant and planted in separate containers.

Diseases and problems of shefflers

Improper care of the umbrella tree will lead to plant disease. The two main problems most often encountered are overflow and lack of lighting.

Non-observance of the light regime leads to the fact that the leaves become faded and the plant begins to wither. Variegated forms of shefflers can even throw off their outfit. At the first sign of a lack of light, the container with the plant must be moved to a well-lit place.

Excess moisture- a real disaster for the green inhabitant of your apartment. Schefflera has a small, fibrous root system and excessive watering, as well as a dense, poorly drying substrate, lead to the fact that the roots begin to rot. The plant reacts to this by the appearance of dry, cork-like brown spots on the leaves.

Also, due to overflows, dropsy appear- convex growths on the back of the leaf. In such cases, watering should be reduced.

If the plant suddenly became drop leaves perhaps the room temperature is too low or too high for a comfortable stay. The conditions of the plant should be reviewed.

Of all the pests, the most indifferent to the sheffler are:, and. Upon detection such, the plant is isolated, treated with a soapy solution and the humidity of the air is increased. In the case when this does not help, they resort to the help of insecticidal solutions.

Simple care and a comfortable living environment can create a real miracle, turning the sheffler into an elegant picturesque tree that will decorate any interior.

And for the most curious, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video about the sheffler and the features of caring for her
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Be6vdHyX8

She is called the ballerina among the flowers. scientific name - shefler. Sometimes, they write with two "f", because it is named after the German botanist. Jacob Scheffler devoted not a single year to the study of the southern plant. Sheflers are native to Hawaii and Southeast Asia.

Ballet is a hobby of Europeans. Therefore, they called the ballerina in the West. An elegant crown of leaves dissected in a circle reminds its inhabitants of a dancer's skirt. A thin trunk - the ballerina's legs gathered in the pas. Despite poetic associations, sheffler in the house is not always a welcome guest. Let's find out why.

Chefler features

Out of favor with flower growers sheffler fell due to superstitions and arguments of bioenergetics. The latter claim that the plant is a vampire. This frightens people, and they no longer pay attention to the reservation of the esotericists.

only "feeds" negative energy. So that, sheffler at home Not an enemy, but a friend. Tension will go away, peace will reign in the home.

Some esotericists also note the influence of a flower on mental activity. Next to the "ballerina" knowledge is better absorbed. Therefore, on the desktops and next to them it turns out exactly sheffler.

Signs associated with the bush, partly have a scientific background. The plant is poisonous. It cannot be purchased by families with children and owners of pets, for example, dogs and cats.

Fear of poisoning could lead to a negative attitude towards chefler. Flower grows straight. Some species reach 1.5-2 meters in height. Therefore, there are no options for arranging a tree in a flower pot on the wall, out of reach. The ideal location of the plant is in a floor pot, or on a windowsill.

The beauty of sheflera lies in its foliage. From one point, like the spokes of an umbrella, from 4 to 12 shares come out. Thus, sheflera leaves resemble not so much an umbrella as a palm with spread fingers. The analogy with a ballerina's skirt is also appropriate.

The leaves are attached to the trunk. In his youth, he is flexible. Therefore, several trees are often planted in a pot, weaving together, creating ornate compositions. However, with age, the stem of the sheflera becomes coarser. The stiffened stems are no longer amenable to constructive changes.

Scheffler on the a photo can be flowering and even fruiting. This means that the picture was taken in a natural habitat or an equipped greenhouse. In apartments, the plant does not give buds.

The decorativeness of the bush lies solely in the foliage. As the trunk grows, it rises up. As a result, a lush "cap" of leaves is high above the pot. Although, there are dwarf species chefler, only 30-50 centimeters tall.

Types of cheflers

Sheflera belongs to the Araliev family. In nature, you can find about 200 species. Among them are not only trees and shrubs, but also lianas. At home, only 4 species have taken root cheflers. Care for all pretty simple.

But, more on that later, but now - the eight-leaf variety. It is distinguished by cream petioles. The proportion of leaves can be not only 8, but also 12. It is important that the ends of the elongated-lanceolate leaves are pointed. Texture matters too. She is leathery.

Leaves are glossy. In their youth they olive tone, in old age become gray-green. But, the veins on the sheets always remain a couple of tones lighter than the general background.

The second most popular type cheflera radiant. Sometimes, it is called Star. There are 7 plates on the leaves of the plant. They are ovoid, with wavy edges. The foliage, like the Eight-Leaf Flower, is glossy but has a bright green.

It does not change throughout the life of the plant. The petioles of the leaves are cast in red, attached to a powerful and straight trunk. At its base is a caudex. This is thickening.

The bright green tone of the leaves has only the original form of the Radiant cheflera. There are artificially bred varieties of golden yellow, for example, Green Gold. The Nova tree has olive-yellow leaves.

There are a couple of subspecies tree shefflers. Leaves are falling from a straight stem. It branches a lot. The young trunk is green. With age, it coarsens and turns brown. The leaves of the species are unpaired, that is, the number of shares in them is odd.

Pictured is a tree-like shefflera

There is an end leaf, like a mountain ash. The Gold Capella variety looks like a palm tree. The leaves of the plant are strewn yellow spots. In the subspecies Amata, the crown is evenly green, very shiny. is in demand because of its resistance to pests and the ability to grow in the shade. The miniature size of the Tree Chefler is also attractive.

fingered shefflera, on the contrary, is large. In nature, the tree reaches 8 meters in height. In room conditions it grows up to 2 meters.

The leaves are dissected palm-shaped. Shares from 7 to 10. As a rule, young shoots are unevenly lobed. The shoots of the leaves are lanceolate, that is, they narrow and sharpen upwards.

Shefflera care at home

Except for Amata, all cheflers need bright light. It must be scattered. Direct rays burn the plant. Eventually, shefler sheds leaves. Ideally located near windows facing West and East.

In winter, they are rearranged to the south and illuminated with fluorescent lamps. But there is no place near heating appliances. The air there is dried up, and the temperature is higher than required. In winter, the chefler needs only 14 degrees. 12 will also do. In summer, the plant is content with 20-25 degrees Celsius.

Pictured is a variegated shefflera

As for the humidity of the air, it must be saturated with vapor. If this is not the case, constant spraying with soft, settled water is needed. Outside of the procedures, the pot is placed in a tray with wet pebbles or peat.

Irrigation is moderate. After the top layer of the earth dries out, it will take a couple more days. Overflow is dangerous for the plant. will rot root system. Sheflera resets leaves and dies. It is important to withstand the temperature of the water for irrigation. Cold streams adversely affect the health of the flower.

From spring to autumn shefler actively grows. During this period, top dressing is required. Fertilizers are taken universal, applied twice a month. AT warm time years carry out transplantation. new pot twice the previous one. The bottom is covered with drainage.

A mixture of humus and turf is poured on top. You can also use artificial substrates, that is, grow them hydroponically. On sale there are multi-colored, jelly-like soils. In order not to hide them, sheflers choose transparent flowerpots for them.

Sheflera breeding is problematic. Survival is low. Therefore, many prefer to buy a bush. Although there are three ways self-cultivation- from seeds, air layers and cuttings.

Shefleur price

Small plants are offered for 400-500 rubles. But, these are single bushes. It is not what they should be afraid of fall off. Shefler does not tolerate pruning. Instead of forming a beautiful crown, an unsightly plant is obtained.

Therefore, if you want a bushy specimen, several cheflers are purchased in one pot. There are already ready-made compositions, in which the trunks are woven into braids and voluminous "lattices". For a meter-long flower, you will have to pay 8,000-9,000 rubles.

But, there are also pots with, so to speak, a blank for the composition. Several chefler grow separately. In this case, flower growers pay only for the number of plants. A flowerpot with three sprouts is available to buy for 1,300-3,000 rubles.

Scheffler, home care for which should be correct, is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and can be acquired without fear by novice flower growers. The plant is native to Australia and New Zealand. The name of the flower is associated with the name of the botanist Jacob Christian Scheffler, who in the 18th century was the first to compile its botanical description.

The plant can be a tree, liana, or shrub depending on the species. In total, there are about 600 varieties of shefflers, some of which can be grown at home, including sheffler gerd and sheffler bianca.

When planting a tree-like plant, it must be borne in mind that it grows up to 2 meters in height and has a fairly spreading crown. The pot with the plant under discussion will be large and heavy. The flower grows quickly. Sheffler can only be grown in large tubs that are placed on the floor.

Finger-shaped shiny leaves are shaped like an open palm, and do not lose their decorative look. The number of sheet plates in a sheet is up to 16 pieces.

In apartment conditions, the plant never blooms, as it does not grow to a full size, which in nature can reach up to 40 meters.

Home care

The unpretentiousness of the plant does not mean that the flower does not need to be looked after. If you create the proper conditions for it, it will delight the owner with its attractive appearance for a long time.

Soil and pot requirements

The soil needs slightly acidic and nutritious. It is difficult to buy a suitable substrate, so it is better to prepare it yourself. For this, there are 2 options for the composition of the soil.

You can prepare the soil from the following ingredients:

  • sod land - 4 parts;
  • leaf ground - 3 parts;
  • humus - 2 parts;
  • sand - 1 part.

The second version of the soil involves the connection in an equal number of such components:

  • peat;
  • sand;
  • humus;
  • sod land;
  • leaf land;
  • sand.

In the event that it is not possible to prepare the soil on your own, you can buy a substrate for palm trees.

A shefflera pot needs to be very stable and have plenty of drainage holes in the bottom. The container should be deep and wide enough.

Temperature, humidity and lighting

Despite the fact that the birthplace of the flower is Australia and New Zealand, where extreme heat is the norm, the sheffler cannot stand high temperatures. In very hot areas, the plant does not occur naturally. In the conditions of an apartment, it is necessary to provide a temperature from +16 to +22 degrees for him. If a variegated plant species is grown, then the lower temperature limit is +18 degrees. When the temperature is lower, the condition of the flower deteriorates, which is bad for its appearance. If you do not pay attention to the problem in a timely manner, then the sheffler will die.

The plant needs high humidity air. Therefore, you should regularly spray the flower or wipe its leaves with a sponge dipped in settled water at room temperature. If this is not done, then the edges of the leaf plates will begin to dry out and the plant will lose its attractiveness.

Intensive lighting is required for a flower at any time of the year. If the sheffler suffers from a lack of light, the leaves will begin to fade and lose their gloss. Direct Sun rays they are harmful to the flower, as they cause burns on the leaves that look like brown dry spots of a rounded shape. The light that hits the plant should be diffused. It is optimal to place the pot near the east and west windows. It is permissible to place a sheffler in the northern part of an apartment or office, but only if there is at least 4 hours of sunlight there a day.

Watering a flower

The tray under the plant should be deep, as very intensive watering will be required in the summer. However, an excessive amount of water leads to the fact that the roots of the indoor flower begin to rot. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to pour out excess water from the pan 12 hours after watering. Watering is carried out once every 5 days, and in extreme heat - once every 2-3 days. For 1 liter of soil, 300 ml of water is required. The individual properties of the plant should also be taken into account. The fact that it is time to water is indicated by the drying of the topsoil.

Top dressing and fertilizer

Without top dressing, the plant cannot fully develop. Fertilization is required only during the period of active growth - from the beginning of March to the end of September. Fertilizers should be applied once a month. Also, during the growing season, it is useful to spray shefflers with an epin solution once every 3 weeks. In water, the drug should be dissolved in a concentration 2 times less than indicated in the instructions.

For root dressing, a complex fertilizer for decorative deciduous plants is used, which is bought in flower shop. It should be applied after watering, while the ground remains moist. How to dissolve the composition is indicated in the instructions for it. The choice of means for top dressing is wide.

pruning

Pruning is carried out on mature plants in order to slow down their growth. To do this, the tops are cut off on the shoots. In addition to slowing down growth, this action allows you to make the flower more magnificent. Cut it in the spring, at the beginning of the growing season. If a tree-like sheffler grows at home, then pruning allows you to form a beautiful crown for the plant.

Transfer

The root system of the flower grows quickly, and therefore young plants require an annual transplant. It is held in the spring or at the very end of winter. A new pot in diameter should be 5-6 cm larger than the previous one.

When the plant is already sitting in the maximum size of the container, then once a year you need to replace the top layer of soil. This must be done very carefully so as not to damage the roots.

Winter Care

In winter, the plant is at rest, and therefore its care changes somewhat. If the container in which the sheffler grows already has maximum size, and therefore there will be no transplant in the spring, then fertilizers have been applied since December. They are bred in 2 times more water than according to the norm, which is indicated in the instructions.

In winter, the irrigation regime also changes. Water the flower should be less frequent, using 100 ml of water per liter of soil. An indicator that it is necessary to irrigate, as well as in summer, is the drying of the topsoil. You can spray with warm water.

Reproduction Schefflera

Self-propagation of a plant on its own is a rather complicated process. However, if desired experienced florist may try to do this, for which seeds, cuttings or layering are used.

seeds

Sheffler practically does not bloom in an apartment, and therefore it is almost impossible to get seeds from him. If it is possible to stimulate the plant to bloom and collect seeds, then they are sown in January or February. Before planting, they must be soaked for 12 hours in a solution of zircon, which is prepared strictly according to the instructions for the preparation. Soil for seeds is required, as well as for an adult plant. After the seeds are sown, the soil is moistened and the container is covered with glass to create greenhouse conditions.

It is more convenient to use separate containers, so that later you do not carry out dives, which are stressful for plants.

cuttings

Cuttings can only be cut from completely healthy plants. For rooting, a slightly lignified shoot is selected. The stalk is cut with a sharp knife, which is pre-wiped with an antiseptic.

Then it is placed for 7 hours in a heteroauxin stimulator, after which it is planted in a container with a substrate suitable for the plant. In order for the moisture to be sufficient for the formation of roots, it is necessary to cover the stalk with a plastic bag or a glass cap. Airing is carried out 1 time per day for 3 minutes.

layering

This method involves obtaining air layering. In the spring, when the flower enters active vegetation, a small incision is made on the trunk and covered with sphagnum moss. The used moss is pre-impregnated with a solution of universal fertilizer for decorative leafy plants, which is prepared at the rate of: 1 g of the drug per 1 liter of water.

From above, the place covered with moss should be wrapped with polyethylene. It is impossible for the sphagnum on the trunk to dry out. After a few months, roots appear. After giving them 2 months to develop, the cuttings are cut a little below the place where the roots form and planted in a separate pot. Further care for the plant is the same as for the adult.

The main problems in growing

Despite all the unpretentiousness of the plant, it is necessary to provide it with the right conditions. If this is not done, then there will be problems with the state of the flower.

The most common problems that occur are:

  • yellowing of the leaves is a sign that the flower is deficient in nutrients in the soil. To eliminate it, emergency feeding with a complex remedy should be carried out once a week for 1 month;
  • dropping leaves - to restore the normal state of the flower, it is necessary to provide the plant with optimal temperature and normalize watering;
  • blackening and twisting of the leaves - a problem appears if the plant is poured, or poor, unsettled water is used for watering it. The best way to prevent waterlogging of the soil in a pot with a plant is high-quality drainage.

If there are no mistakes when growing shefflera, then it does not lose its attractiveness for a long time.

Pests and diseases

The main disease of the plant is dropsy, which appears with excessive watering. The disease manifests itself as pimples on inside leaves. Treatment is reduced to the normalization of watering.

Of the pests for shefflers, aphids are dangerous, spider mite and shield. A solution of laundry soap will help get rid of them.

If you want to have a beautiful deciduous plant at home, then a sheffler indoor flower is the best choice.