Can anyone tell me what is going on here? Only one of my Scheffleras has this odd spotting on the new growth. It began before the freeze. It is planted level with the grass / mulch, so it is not sitting too low. The spotting is not powdery and doesn't rub off. As you can see, one of the leaves is almost completely black. I have not seen any bugs on the new growth either, but then it could be a night time visitor. I really don't want to lose this plant. Please help!
I "think" you have cold damage on that Scheff. One of the properties we take care of is all landscaped tropical and has several Scheffs...all of which are doing the same thing as yours...as are some of the Pygmy Palms. The soil here is also extremely wet from the last rains, which doesn't help matters any.
It's been down in the low 30's here at night lately and that's when I started noticing the same symptoms.
They've suffered through this before, but have always recovered in the spring...but just remember they are a tropical plant and not used to low temps like we've both been having.
The ones we have are way too big and tall to cover up at night, so maybe try throwing a blanket over it if it's not too tall.
2 winters ago, I even lost common sword fern to the cold...but it all grew back. I didn't think sword fern was that susceptible to cold temps, but evidently it is !
This message was edited Dec 31, 2008 5:14 PM
I wondered about that, but I think I saw some spotting before temps got cold. My others have no signs of damage, and were all planted at the same time / size. The only difference I can see is that the soil is a bit more damp at this location of this plant.
I have the same thing going on with one of my schefflera. But it survived the last time. Now I just cover it when it gets too cold with an old sheet. No more spots are appearing. The last time this happened I did loose some leaves, but the plant comes back.
WIB,
SW
Thanks - I guess it is the cold, and that it is slightly more moist where it is so it 'feels' colder.
