Mega-Schefflera

This giant schefflera is proof that we haven't had a freeze for quite a few years. At 10' tall, it's long past coming in for the winter, even if I could lift it. And it has lost so many lower limbs that it's more like the trees you see in Australia than a potted plant.

So I'm trying an experiment in air layering. The aluminum foil covers a layer of moistened sphagnum moss that's held against the branches with plastic wrap and tape. I first cut several notches in the bark and coated the cuts with Rootone before applying the moss. Chances are that the Rootone won't add much, but it's so late in the Spring that every little bit may help. I expect new roots to grow into the sphagnum moss in seven or eight months - perhaps by December. With luck I'll be able to cut them off and create a new pot of scheffleras before the weather gets too cold. It would be a shame after all this work to get a freeze and lose the new roots.


Stay tuned for developments.