Why Is My Schefflera Dying?
Ask the Expert: My Schefflera is Dying
I have a 22-year old schefflera that stands about 4 feet high. It\’s leaves started to get hard with a whitish tint about 6 months ago. Now the leaves are slowly browning at the tips and are either falling off one-by-one or the entire stem is falling off. Can I save it?
I repotted the plant and I mist it daily, but my once full, healthy plant is now thin and bare.
Please help me save it. Thanks. BJ
See Attached Photos:
Sick Schefflera
Schefflera
Unhealthy Schefflera
November 11th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
BJ
I believe you have some type of insect damage occurring. Look for the following things a sticky substance on the leaves can indicate aphid damage; a white or cottony substance can indicate scale damage;small moving insects seen with a magnifying glass indicates spider mite infestation.
All of these can be controlled with either a soapy water mixture or a houseplant insecticde from your local nursery & garden center.
You plant, also, looks as if it is under going a water or temperature issue. If this plant was previously outside and then brought in that could be the cause of some of the problems. Check to make sure that an air vent is not blowing directly on the plant. As for water, make sure that the plant is allowed to dry slightly before you water it.
Does the plant have any lower leaves? If so, I would trim the long thin stalks back to the lower green leaves. In a few weeks fertilze the plant and it should start to put on new growth.
Good luck and keep me posted.
November 14th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Thanks for your advice. I washed my schefflera with Safer brand Insect Killing Soap and it’s actually looking better! Oddly, some of the brown tips “washed” off. I think I may lose a few more leaves, but it looks like the worst of the damage is over. I’ll continue to wash it once-a-week for another couple of weeks, and then continue the treatment once-a-month.
I don’t have any leaves at the bottom, so I’m afraid to cut it back. Perhaps in the Spring I’ll cut the stems down and hope for the best. Good idea?
Thanks, again!
November 14th, 2008 at 11:22 am
BJ,
If you don’t have any leaves on the bottom, I would definitely wait until spring to cut it back. I would experiment with cutting back only one stem when you do. Good luck and keep me posted.