Sheffler’s magnificent decorative culture is a tropical evergreen plant - exotic, cozy, homely and very popular in recent times. Found on the far latitudes of Asian, African and American lands, this bright representative of the Araliev family with monochromatic, juicy green or variegated leaves, having an unusual shape of an open holey umbrella, firmly entered our homes, creating a warm and sweet atmosphere in them. Therefore, when sheflera leaves fall, we begin to feverishly search for the causes of her illness and treatment. Let's talk about this exotic plant, its requirements and conditions for successful growth.
Schefflera (schefflera): care, types
Representatives of the Aralievs named after the German biologist Jacob Scheffler are shrubs, tree-like and vines, reaching various lengths in natural conditions (from 1.5 to 40 meters). All of them have characteristic complex leaves, dissected into 4-12 lobes and resembling a palm with spread fingers. Schaeffler is also called an umbrella tree. In the wild, the plant blooms and bears fruit beautifully, but as a room culture, it pleases the eye only with generous magnificent greenery.
The genus has up to 200 species. Among them are used for growing a sheffler house radiant or star-shaped. The origin of the plant dictates the general conditions for the care and maintenance of all species. Sometimes a shefler drops leaves. What to do in this case, try to figure it out further.
How to care for a sheflera: illumination
The most important condition for competent care of a sheflera is the correct choice of a place with the illumination of the necessary intensity. You should identify the plant in the brightest place in the room. A window sill of a window facing east or west can be considered successful. The north side is not the best option for a plant with colorful foliage. The lack of light will affect the decorativeness of the pattern; it will not be sufficiently pronounced. But on the windowsill facing the south side, the culture will be uncomfortable and hot. The blinding bright sun can significantly harm the plant, leaving burns on the leaves.
Schefflera (a holey umbrella) loves a high level of illumination, but does not accept direct sunlight. In the room facing the south side, the container with the plant must be installed on a stand near the window so that there is enough light, but the sun's rays do not fall on it. A distant location from the window, for example, in the back of the room, can adversely affect the development of the plant - in this case, the leaves often fall on the sheflera. The reasons may lie in poor lighting conditions.
Spraying and watering
The second important factor for success in growing crops is compliance with the irrigation regime. It is carried out regularly, but in moderation. It is necessary that the soil in the pot is constantly slightly moist. The drying out of an earthen coma is undesirable, but it can tolerate a short-term drought of a shefler, and the reaction of the plant to excess water is unpredictable. It is only known that periodic overmoistening can destroy a culture.
Spraying is very favorable for shefflers. On hot days and in dry air, light “shower” procedures should be carried out twice a day in the apartment. Spray water is preferably mild. Its use does not leave white streaks on the leaves. To avoid dust deposits on the leaves, sheflers need to periodically wipe the leaves with a damp sponge or arrange a real shower for the plant. The culture loves high humidity and gratefully reacts to placing containers with the plant on a layer of wet expanded clay.
In winter, the growth rate and metabolic processes of sheflera slow down, watering also decreases, especially when the temperature in the room decreases. With stable thermometer readings at any time of the year, spraying in the winter continues with the same intensity as in the summer.
Room temperature
Sheflera prefers moderate conditions of detention - + 17-22C °. But ordinary room conditions are quite suitable for ensuring a favorable microclimate - daily spraying and preventing the plant from overheating.
Transplant sheflera
As the plants grow, there is a need for transplantation. Like most houseplants, a shefler requires an increase in the container area: once a year for a young flower, and later, in an adult state, once every several years.
The correct selection of soil is also extremely important: it must be water- and breathable, so that in the event of overmoistening, water stagnation does not form and negative consequences arise. Gardening shops offer universal soil for indoor plants, which is quite suitable for planting shefflers. The bottom of the tank must be covered with a thick layer of any drainage material.
Diseases and pests
Unfortunately, sheflera have many enemies that greatly complicate her life. These are aphids, scale insects, spider mites. A successful method of dealing with them is spraying the plant with a soap solution. This measure is good for preventive purposes. If pest damage has already occurred, then spraying should be carried out daily, without leaving the insect the slightest chance of survival. With a large area of damage, this may not help. In this case, there is nothing else to do but turn to industrial insecticides, the choice of which in flower shops is quite wide.
Sometimes a shefler drops leaves. What to do? The plant may become ill from improper care, and the dumping of foliage will be its consequence. Or other changes will occur with the flower. For example, small pimples form on the back of the leaves. So, dropsy is manifested, caused by waterlogging of the plant. The same reason can cause the appearance of brown spots on the leaves, significantly spoiling the appearance of sheflera and reducing its decorativeness. Correct the situation by reducing watering.
But the main problem that most plant owners face is the dumping of leaves. Let's try to understand the causes of this unpleasant phenomenon.
Scheffler drops leaves: what to do?
Failure to comply with any of the above conditions of the plant may provoke the discharge of leaves. For example, with sharp fluctuations in room temperature, unusually low or high thermometer readings. How to save a shefler? When darkening and falling leaves, you should pay attention to the trunk. If he is alive, then you can save the flower by transplanting. Dry branches are cut, sections are treated with an antiseptic, and the plant is transplanted into a new container by transshipment, without disturbing the root system.
Loss of leaves and root rot provokes excessive watering. It is especially dangerous at low temperatures. In such cases, the shefler discards the leaves. What to do? The plant is successfully resuscitated by removing all rotten roots, washing them and holding them for a couple of hours in the Epina solution. Then the root system is treated with fungicide and the plant is transplanted into new soil. The leaves are also sprayed with Epina solution, and the plant is packed in polyethylene for 2-3 days for disinfection. Periodically remove the coating for ventilation. After restoration, sheflers need to adjust watering, conducting it only in case of drying of an earthen coma.
Insufficient humidity can cause blackening and leaf falling. It can be easily eliminated. It is recommended to spray the plant several times a week and keep it as far away from heating devices as possible.
Drafts have a detrimental effect on the shefler. Leaves dry out, become brittle. In the room, you should choose a place that does not fall into the area of influence of air flows, and install a pot with a plant there.
The appearance of brown spots on the leaves may be due to insufficient soil aeration. The soil in which the shefler grows must be breathable. Check for drainage.
General troubleshooting tips
So, whatever the reasons for the falling of the leaves, they must all be eliminated. It is important to pay more attention to the plant: it shows with its appearance what kind of problems have arisen. Simple events can quickly restore the health and decorativeness of a plant called a shefler at home. Care for a sheflera, if carried out correctly, will protect the culture from diseases, and the owner from unnecessary worries.