Please take a look at my Scheffelera !!

I'm not sure which it is, but it is the solid green variety, Maybe Scheffelera Arbicola (is that the right word?). I took cuttings from a plant in my doctors office in late Sept. They have taken root, are in good potting medium and have been doing well. There has been quite a bit of new growth. It is located to the left of a north facing window. I moved it from in front of it because I thought maybe the window getting cold was stressing it, now that the temps are lower than what it was used to.

Not sure if I just wasn't paying close enough attention before, but it seems the new growth is a bit droopy. Other than that, the plant looks great. Is it normal for the newer leaves on the Scheffelera to be droopy?

Uh-oh!! Here is a pic

another view--

This message was edited Dec 8, 2009 8:39 PM

Over all the plant look's great. I would not be too stressed at the moment over what you are now observing.

Rachel

my solid green one does that too...but the variegated stands up straight, I'm beginning to wonder if this variety just does that

Schefflera likes bright light and some direct sun especially in winter. Will stress if constantly wet soil or if you let it comepletely dry out between waterings. It likes tropical warmth (heat and humidity), so do not put near a dry heat furnance unless you can provide humidity. Doesn't like cold air. But yours look pretty good right now. I wouldn't stress too much.

Thanks Girls... I will just wait it out. It has been doing well since I rooted it, and since you are telling me it looks good.. I won't worry.

Luckily humidity is not a problem for me. Where I live, a few nights ago when the temps dropped to 28 F, the relative humidity was at 81%. I realize that is outside, but I would venture to say.. through the winter we don't have to run the central heat enough to cause much stress to a plant.

Tracey, I agree with what Trina said. Your Scheffelera arboricola might have floundered a bit from the cold in the north window location but it looks good. What size pot do you have it in? The pot looks a bit large for the plant to me but it could just be the view of the photo, or probably my eyes. The new growth on Schefflera is lighter green and tends to be softer. As the plant grows larger and forms a nice trunk the branches and stems firm up. Scheff's require consistently moist soil and can take a fair amount of light. Hot, direct sun may burn the leaves of immature plants but a bright spot in a window during winter should work well as long as it's not up against the cold glass and not in any draft's.

Lin, Its in an 8 in terra cotta. Do you think I should downsize? Remember, I'm still learning and open to suggestions...

If you didn't just recently plant it in that container and aren't sure how large the root system is, I would remove it from the pot and take a look at the root system to see if it warrants a smaller pot. If it has lots of roots the 8" should be fine. It is probably just my old eyes thinking the pot looks too large.

Trina, it's definitely not just the plain green Scheffleras that droop, as you can see in the attached photo. Don't know why it does this either (mine is in a warm, bright, humid, supposedly ideal position) but it seems to sort itself out in time. Don't think you've anything to worry about, Daisy.

my variegated one is still too tiny to drop...LOL

Daisy, I think yours is doing just fine, give it time. This is mine I started from a cutting about 4 years ago. I did give it a pinch now and again to make it fill out. Your doing great and I wouldnt worry.
Christine