Beginner Gardening: Can this plant go outside?, 2 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
I have had the same Scheffelera Arboricola for about 23 years..

It grows big and bushy every year. I keep it inside for thew winter--not really
in good light...don't have any--and it survives.
Just--DO NOT overwater it--or it will drop a bunch of leves!!! Does not like wet feet!

This past winter--mine was in a really low light situation and it did not do well.
It kept shedding leaves--all over the floor...a sad specimen...

I knew it was miserably pot-bound, so when spring came--I decided to give it
a serious "surgical" make-over.. Get the scapula--and cut way!!!....:o)

I un-potted the plant from its 16' pot and shook most of the soil away.
The roots were incredibly long and intertwined. Crazy!
NO problema!!

I gave the root-ball a serious cut-back--like almost 1/2 of it hacked off--
and re-potted it back in the same pot in good, fresh soil.
This plant is, basically, indestructible! Believe that...

It is now re-growing from the "nubs" and looks like it will be a nice, full plant again.

Beachgirl--do not be afraid to do the same! Cut away--and pull the roots apart--
and trim off whatever is too long and then re-pot it in some nice-rich Mix.

Here are some pictures of mine...

1--The root-ball un-potted

2--Showing how long some of the roots were...Mama Mia!

3--The root-ball all cut back

4--The plant re-potted in the same pot--make sure you push the soil down so
there will not be any air-pockets!

The plant is now re-growing nicely.... Gita