Scheffler has recently gained popularity among flower growers, but is already valued for its attractive appearance and unpretentiousness, as well as an antidepressant that absorbs negative energy. This ornamental plant is actively distributed in apartments, houses and public places. The features of shefflers and methods of its reproduction will be discussed in the article below.
Shefflers description
Scheffler is a genus of tropical plants of the Aralian family. It was discovered in the XVIII century by the German botanist Jacob Scheffler. In nature, it is often a full-fledged tree, some species of which reach 40 meters in height. At home, the flower grows up to two meters. A feature of the plant is the unusual appearance of its leaves, which are similar to an open umbrella or a human palm with fingers apart.
Did you know? Schaeffler palmate is found only in New Zealand and is distinguished not only by sprawling leaves up to 35 cm long, but also by edible fruits, which rodents and birds enjoy with pleasure.
The leaves are usually 4 to 12, green in color, often with yellow and white stains or spots. Schaeffler blooms with umbrellas from small white flowers, but this rarely happens at room conditions. The flower is often used for landscaping rooms with high ceilings - the lobby of offices, hospitals. It decorates the interior of the house with an unusual look and is able to grow to the size of a large shrub.
Below are brief descriptions of the varieties of the flower with photos and names:
- Woody. It grows in Taiwan, reaches 4 meters in height, has developed variegated leaves and can be used for bonsai.
- Caster. A miniature version of a large tree. It reaches 20 cm in height, it is small even for a bonsai, but it will perfectly decorate the windowsill.
- Gold Capella. A low tree-shaped bush with brightly decorated leaves with strokes. Grows to half a meter, fluffy.
- Melanie. Another half-meter bush, decorative and small-leaved.
- Radiant. In indoor conditions, a small bush - up to 80 cm. The foliage has shades - from olive to dark green, and the shape can be either straight or fine-toothed.
- Scheffler Veitch. A subspecies whose young shoots have a reddish tint on the leaf plate. Adult leaves turn green and become curly and jagged.
- The most graceful. This Scheffler differs from his relatives in light carved leaves with a light border. The lush mass of foliage with a small number of stems creates an appearance corresponding to the name of the variety. A miniature bush (up to 50 cm) makes it desirable on the windowsill.
Plant propagation time
When several leaves grow on the lower stems, suitable for independent growth, we can assume that the flower is ready for propagation. This usually occurs in the spring and summer.
To get good material, it is necessary that the mother bush has quality living conditions:
- illumination - bright, scattered;
- humidity - increased, because the plant loves not only watering under the root, but also drip moistening the leaves 1-2 times a week;
- temperature - +22 ... + 25 ° С;
- top dressing - during the period of active growth, liquid complex feeding is applied every two weeks;
- pruning - It is carried out regularly as the trunk and stems are pulled;
- transfer - if roots appeared in the drainage holes of a container with a shefflera, the bush needs to be replanted.
Preparatory work
Before replanting, it is necessary to prepare a pot of the right size with a quality substrate. Given the large size of an adult plant, the pot will have to be changed several times during its growth. Therefore, you do not need to land immediately in a large capacity - replacing the place of residence and updating the soil will have a beneficial effect on the sheffler. The soil for planting needs soft and non-acidic so that the seedling takes root, and does not fight against stony or excessive acidity of the soil.
The land purchased in specialized stores does not require additional processing, but the mixture, collected independently, must be poured with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and treated with fungicides and insecticides. Qualitative growth is established from the beginning of the life of the flower, so the pot with a seedling should be located on that windowsill, where it will receive a sufficient amount of diffused sunlight. Free space for new window dwellers needs to be worried in advance.
How to propagate a sheffler flower at home?
How to plant a sheffler, each grower chooses for himself:
- a sheet;
- cuttings;
- by seeds;
- layering.
Leaf
It is made in the traditional way - a healthy petiole with leaves is plucked or cut with a blade from the plant and placed in a container of water (glass, jar). It is better to mix water with a rooting fluid. You can put the jar on the windowsill, and for moisture formation and insulation it is covered with a film.
Did you know? The Araliev family, to which the sheffler belongs, includes not only beautiful, but also plants useful for human health - ginseng, eleutherococcus, ivy.
The leaves are aired every day for several minutes and maintain a temperature of about + 23 ° C. Water in a glass is renewed for a third or half in 2-3 days. After about three weeks, the first roots will appear, and the seedling can be moved to its first pot.
Video: leaf shefflers breeding
Cuttings
The easiest way to breed shufflers. Choose a strong shoot in the lower part, up to 10 cm long and with 7-8 leaves. Two options are possible further - the shoot is immediately planted in prepared soil or kept in water for 2-3 weeks until the roots appear, after which it is planted in a pot. Both methods allow you to grow a good bush, but when planting the cuttings immediately in the ground, you do not need to monitor the temperature of the water, update it and adjust the illumination.
Video: propagation of shufflers by cuttings
Seeds
It is difficult to obtain plant seeds at home, since flowering in captivity is rare. Seeds obtained from natural material can be purchased at the store.
Important! When propagating by seeds, there is much more trouble than with other methods, but future shefflers will please with strength and beauty. This method is used for mass cultivation.
The scheme for growing from seeds is as follows:
- the seeds are soaked in purified water or a very weak solution of potassium permanganate for several hours;
- drawers or boxes are prepared with a depth of 40-50 cm, drainage (expanded clay) is laid at the bottom.
- then lay a layer of soft soil 20-30 cm;
- in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of 15 cm make holes with a depth of 10 cm and lower the seeds there;
- The boxes are covered with foil and placed in a dark and warm place (pantry, dry cellar);
- every few days, the boxes are opened, inspected contents and watered;
- when shoots appear, in addition to watering, spraying should be used;
- when 2-3 leaves appear on the seedlings, they need to be transplanted into pots.
Air outlets
The most interesting method of reproduction, which is rarely used. The seedling thus obtained is as viable as with the Cherenkov method. But in this case, you have to seriously "tinker".
Reproduction is performed in this way:
- clean the upper bare part of the trunk (scrub with a knife) by 5–7 cm;
- the cleaned part is washed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and rubbed with a cotton swab with a mixture of activated carbon and a dry root former in a ratio of 1: 1;
- the treated area is wrapped with sphagnum and a film, which is tightened on the bottom with twine or kapron thread, and on top there is a place for air access and watering;
- near the propagated trunk establish a support, to which it is leaned or tied;
- watered every 2-3 days;
- after 2-3 weeks, roots appear in the tap, then you can carefully remove the film and sphagnum;
- below the young roots, a cut is made at an angle of 45 °, the place of the cut is rubbed with activated carbon, the sprout is planted in the prepared soil.
Plant Care
Until the seedling is rooted, it is necessary to monitor the conditions of its growth:
- Prevent drying of the soil, as well as its overmoistening;
- shade from direct sunlight;
- humidify the air around the pot;
- remove yellowed leaves;
- Inspect for possible parasites and diseases.
After rooting the flower, the level of care can be reduced - then an unpretentious sheffler can do without thorough care.Possible growing difficulties
Diseases of the flower are often associated with improper care - stagnation of water in the ground, temperature changes and poor lighting. Because of this, lightening, drying out or falling of leaves can occur, root rot can develop.
Important! All insecticides — substances with high toxicity. Applying them, you must use a respirator.
The pests are the same as in most indoor plants:
- spider mite - manifests itself as whitish cobwebs on the back of the leaves and stems;
- thrips - cause dark spots on the leaves;
- scale shield - forms sticky mucus on different parts of the bush.
Experienced flower growers are advised to propagate the plant in several ways at the same time, and then choose strong and high-quality sprouts. With proper care, the flower is able to reach impressive size and delight with beauty for many years.
