Propagation of a schefflera plant

[booksenkatz]

Hi, I'm a lurker who needs help saving a leggy, spindly schefflera. It's ten years old and has sentimental value, and I'd like to start a new plant from this one. The upper part of this plant is extremely healthy and constantly produces new buds, stems, etc. The lower part of the plant is starting to look a bit sad, and since the whole thing has begun to curve and loop around sharply, I have it on supports in a large pot under a full-spectrum light. I've seen a few sites online that talk about air propagation and so forth, but I need instructions for dummies like me who have no idea what they're doing.

I have wondered about cutting the plant at the point where it begins to loop, giving the lower part of the plant a new start, but surely there would be a way to salvage all of that healthy top portion if I did something like that..? I'm worried that pruning the plant so drastically would kill it.

Call me clueless with good intentions. I have no green thumb and am in fact embarrassed to show my face in this forum.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated, thanks!:)

[beac]

1. Sounds like it might need repotting. The plant may be getting root-bound if you haven't repotted it

in a while.


I'm afraid I don't have any first-hand knowledge about propagating them, but the method on this site sounded easy:
http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/propagating-schefflera/index.html

It evens mentions the schefflera being "sentimental"--- funny b/c when I first read your post, I was reminded of the schefflera my mom had for YEARS, through many moves, that finally died off under the dubious care of a housesitter. She was crushed. Must be something about the schefflera that makes people bond with it. ;)

Good luck! And stop back by and let us know how it goes.

[booksenkatz]

2. Thank you!

This is something that even I can do. Plus, my plant has many, many, many healthy branchlets, so I've got several chances to get it right! Thanks so much for this link.

[beac]

3. You're welcome!

You probably know this, but be sure when repotting to loosen the roots a little, especially in they have wound around and around inside the pot.

Do let me know how it goes. It's the first time I've heard of propagating a plant that way, so I'll be interested to hear if it works!