Latin name: Schefflera

Family: aralian

Homeland: subtropics and tropics of America

Schefflera unique umbrella for office and home

Schefflera is the most numerous genus of plants in the tropics, more than two hundred species of which adorn the Araliev family with their decorativeness.

By the name of her Scheffler she is grateful to Karl Linnaeus, who glorified the name of his friend, the famous German phytologist of the eighteenth century Scheffler Jacob Christian.

Tropical forest areas of Asia, its Southeastern part, the Australian continent, the island of New Guinea, Java, Taiwan, Hawaii can be considered native places. Here the southern wonder of nature is represented by evergreen trees, shrubs, sometimes even lianas, reaching six meters in height. They are covered with nondescript, small, white flowers, collected in complex paniculate inflorescences that resemble an umbrella.

The sheffler flower is no less charming in indoor conditions. This exotic, evergreen, sprawling bush with flexible twigs and unusual-shaped leaves can give any interior, especially spacious and bright rooms, uniqueness and coziness. Many species of sheffler create beautiful bonsai.

The amazing and unique structure of shefflera leaves, reminiscent of a palm with fingers wide apart, attracts the attention of flower lovers. Each leaf consists of 6-12 ovoid, bright green, flexible, dissected leaves that emerge from one central point, imitating an open umbrella. Thanks to this analogy, the Scheffler got its middle name - the umbrella tree.

Scheffler's views

Schefflera arboricola

Blooming evergreen shrub that came to our area from the islands of Hainan and Taiwan. In its homeland, a plant with an erect, branching trunk reaches four meters in height. The leaves are complex, palmate, with up to nine leaf plates measuring up to 20 cm in length and up to 10 cm in width. Young shoots of shefflera are tree-like light green, and with age they become light brown.

On the basis of this species, new varieties have been bred: Amate - has very beautiful shiny waxy leaves, is less damaged by pests and is less demanding on lighting; the Gold Capella variety has an incredible resemblance to a palm tree, in which green leaves are painted with small yellow specks.

Schefflera radiant or star-leaved (Schefflera actinophylla)

She is also called the "green star". One of the most common types. Under natural conditions, this single-stemmed or double-stemmed plant reaches fifteen meters in height. This decorative tree grows well in gardens and greenhouses in a warm mild climate.

In home conditions, it can reach a height of 2.5 m. On a gray-brown erect trunk, there are red-brown long petioles majestically bearing bright green, shiny, large leaves. They consist of 8 - 15 independent leaf blades. The length of the elegant toothed leaves reaches 60 cm. Small bright red flowers form inflorescences, the result is bunches of purple fruits.

Schefflera octophylla

Tropicana from humid mixed Indian, Japanese and Chinese forests. Here, the trees or shrubs of the eight-leaved sheffler reach a height of 15 m.

Original light green rosettes of 8-11 glossy, leathery, oval leaf plates are located on drooping cream thirty centimeter petioles. The reverse side of the leaves is dull green. In late autumn, the plant is decorated with inflorescences of white flowers, and by December, fruits appear.

Matches made from soft wood, plants are in demand. Traditional medicine treats colds, bruises, injuries with the help of infusion of leaves and root bark of shefflera eight-leafed.

Schefflera Janine

The variegated beauty has gained popularity due to its unpretentious cultivation. It grows well in the shade, keeping the bright green leaves and dark, randomly located contrasting stains and blotches.

Schefflera Nora

Elegant foliage and not picky in leaving, Nora's shefflers are increasingly popular with flower growers. A lush crown of long, narrow, light olive with yellow interspersed leaves can create comfort and a positive atmosphere in the house.

Scheffler Luzean

Very graceful shefflera Louisiana is absolutely not demanding in care. Following only the general rules of cultivation, you can tirelessly admire its decorative openwork leaves. When the plant is located in a sunny room, its leathery, shiny leaves will become even more variegated with yellow or white blotches.

Scheffler Gerd

This variety does not require much maintenance. In diffused lighting, it will feel great and be able to reach up to 2.5 m in height. The variegated tropicana, from white-green to yellow-green colors, will be grateful for moderate soil moisture and normal room temperature in the range of 16-20˚С.

Scheffler Charlotte

More recently, breeders have bred the Sheffler Charlotte variety. Landscaping designers plant this beauty in office and residential premises.

The light leaves of Shefflera Charlotte have a dark green edge on the outside. On the other hand, the leaf has a darker and more intense color.

Schefflera digitata

The shefflera is native to the rainforests of New Zealand, where its height can reach eight meters. The leaves of the plant, divided into 7-10 finger-like, soft and thin plates with pointed tips, are very similar to palm leaves. Large flowers form a paniculate inflorescence, resulting in edible purple fruits - a favorite delicacy of birds and insects.

Local, with the help of flower juice, treat skin ulcers and ringworm. In ancient times, shefflers used this type of wood for making fires. Now the indigenous people massively sell souvenirs and crafts from the plant to numerous travelers, so the finger sheffler is on the verge of extinction.

Schefflera home care

Schefflera is a tropical forest plant. To patronize this beautiful, unpretentious, thermophilic, picturesque, abundantly branching plant, you need no more than the rest of the green inhabitants of the windowsill. This beauty will adorn any interior. Young shefflers will feel good next to other indoor plants, and adults will look especially majestic in splendid isolation.

Scheffler, caring for her is not at all difficult, but to contemplate this beauty you need to work a little and fulfill the following growing conditions.

Seat selection

Shefflera's permanent residence should be well lit, direct rays of the bright sun, drafts and sudden temperature changes should be excluded.

The normal limit of temperature fluctuations is 16 -25 ˚С, in winter it is not lower than 12 С, and the ideal temperature will be 18 С.

The territories on the western and eastern sides are most suitable, the main thing is away from the central heating batteries. Bright light is desirable for variegated forms, and the northern room is suitable for green.

In summer, the plant will be more pleasant in the fresh air in the garden or on the balcony.

Schefflera loves high air humidity, wants to be regularly sprayed with warm, soft water.

Watering

In the summer, when the Schefflera grows intensively, the soil should be in a moist state, but without stagnant water, in order to exclude root decay. Sufficient watering 2-3 times a week, the topsoil should be a little dry. In winter, watering is significantly reduced to once a week. If it is cold indoors, water the plant even less often. Use soft, warm water.

The soil

Will grow in any fertile soil, but you need to choose a slightly acidic, light one that allows air and water to pass through well.

You can buy ready-made soil. A mixture for palm trees, decorative flowers is suitable.

It grows well in a mixture: sod land, coarse sand, peat, humus, leafy earth - all ingredients in equal amounts. Drainage is required.

Top dressing

Vigorous plant growth requires the application of liquid fertilizer, half diluted, every two weeks. The sequence of organic and mineral fertilizers can be set. Crushed eggshells will also only benefit the sheffler. During rest, feeding is not needed.

Schefflera transplant

Replant every three years. The main indicator for transplanting will be the filling of the pot with roots and their appearance in the pot hole. For a transplant, you need a flowerpot with a larger diameter, five or six centimeters of the previous one.

Scheffler reproduction

For propagation of shefflers, you can use cuttings, air layers and seeds. The easiest way to propagate the plant is by cuttings. It is necessary to cut off a fifteen-centimeter apical stalk, treat it with root stimulants with root or heteroauxin. Can be rooted in a wet mixture of perlite and peat or sand. Rooting is also possible in water.

Seed propagation is a more painstaking process. Seeds must be sown in a mini-greenhouse and kept in a dark place until shoots appear. In about a month, the seeds will sprout. They need to be provided with diffused light and a temperature of at least 18˚С. Next, we plant them in separate flowerpots for a permanent place of growth.

Diseases and pests

Schefflera can be affected by: scale insects, spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, aphids. Uninvited guests can be immediately seen on the trunk and leaf plates of the flower. We are taking immediate measures to eliminate insects. First of all, we use a soap solution, wiping the plant with a cloth. If this procedure is not enough, move on to tougher measures. Actellic solution will help.

Possible difficulties in growing shefflers

• Schefflera sheds leaves, and no harmful insects were found. Why do chefs have leaves falling? Surely not comfortable conditions for growing a plant. In the winter months, there is a low temperature and, for sure, the soil is waterlogged. In the summer months - intense heat, drafts.
• The edges of the leaves have turned black - the plant is in a draft, insufficient watering.
• The leaves are covered with white or yellow spots - an excess of sunlight.
• Pale dull color of leaves, elongated stems - insufficient lighting and nutrients.
• The edges of the leaves dry up, the color is dull - high temperature and low humidity, increase watering and spraying frequency.
• Roots rot - excessive watering, low temperature.

Schefflera is an air purifier - it absorbs benzene, saturates the air with oxygen and increases its humidity. It is necessary to reduce contact with children and animals with scruffle, like a plant venomously ... Toxic is philodendron .

Take care of your shefflera with love, which will absorb negative energy, help to cope with anxiety and neuroses, and instill a state of cheerfulness and peace.

There are a lot of indoor plants in the world that are unpretentious and undemanding to care for. There are several hundred of them, and maybe even thousands. Most people grow and plant wild plants in their homes for beauty and decorative design. Some are doing this "for the soul."

One of the most famous houseplants is the shefflera flower, which came to us from the tropical regions of the world. It began to be grown as a home plant relatively recently, but now the flower is very popular among gardeners. It grows widely in the wild in Australia, China and Japan. Scheffler received this name in honor of the famous German botanist Scheffler, who was a close friend and colleague of K. Linnaeus.

The “Schefflera” flower is a poisonous plant that must be handled as carefully as possible, otherwise you can get skin diseases from the smallest rashes to the most serious skin cell diseases. Schefflera is a small tree or shrub that can reach a height of 2.5 meters. Shefflera blooms at home extremely rarely, because she does not need this action, since the plant has bright juicy green leaves that grow like human fingers. In addition, on one "wrist" you can count from 4 to 12 leaves. Schefflera is an unpretentious and undemanding plant, which, despite its toxicity, is widely grown at home for decorative purposes.

The “Schefflera” flower is a numerous plant that has up to 200 subspecies, but not all of them are suitable for indoor cultivation. Many wild species of this flower reach in nature up to 40 meters in height, but their size is significantly reduced when grown at home. Among the main indoor plant species, the following can be distinguished:

• Schefflera tree-like is one of the brightest and most famous representatives of this flower, which is distinguished by an erect trunk, difficult and large leaves (about 20 cm). This variety is unpretentious in maintenance and can be easily pruned and formed into the crown of the plant. In addition, the plant has a main feature - spots of yellow, white or cream color, which adorn the leaves and give them even more beauty and grace.
• Schefflera finger - a variety of shefflera, which is notable for its short stature, large juicy green leaves and a large number of "fingers", the number of which reaches ten. This variety is more widely used for growing at home, as it is more pleasing to the human eye.
• Sheflera eight-leafed - a variety of shefflera, which differs from other representatives in the shape and number of leaves on one "wrist". The shape of the leaves is longitudinal with a pointed end, and the number of leaves on one "wrist" ranges from 8 to 12. Young leaves differ from mature ones in olive color, which eventually turns into a juicy green.
• Schefflera star-leaved - the most famous flower variety, which differs from others in a brown strong trunk, in the shape of leaves, which are different: longitudinal, oval round, and also in the color of the leaves, which is olive, yellow, juicy green or with spots.

Features of the correct flower transplant, competent care and growing a plant at home

Features of the correct flower transplant

A Sheffler transplant is necessary no more than once every two years. Only in this way will the plant grow and develop correctly, while retaining all the substances and components it needs. The plant loves slightly acidic soil, therefore it is necessary to make up such a soil composition, which will consist of one drainage part and two parts of sand and clay. The plant does not require special requirements for transplanting, but it must be remembered that the “Schefflera” flower reaches quite impressive sizes, so every two years it needs to choose a larger pot.

Competent care and growing a plant at home

Competent care and cultivation of a plant plant at home must be carried out in accordance with all the basic rules, otherwise the plant may die or get sick. The “Schefflera” flower is an unpretentious and undemanding plant, so any, even an inexperienced, florist can easily grow it at home. Among the basic rules for the care and cultivation of a plant, the following can be distinguished

• Lighting (The plant needs sunlight, but it is advisable that it avoids the sun's rays on its leaves, as burns may remain and the plant will have to be treated later. The best places for the lighting factor in the house are western and eastern windows, sometimes northern ones. In winter, the plant requires special lighting, since it all depends on the temperature of the place in which the flower grows.In the summer, the plant can be taken outside so that it avoids direct sunlight on its leaves while being on the window.)
• Air temperature (The plant is very demanding on this point. In summer, spring and autumn, it is necessary to constantly maintain the air temperature up to +20 degrees Celsius, and in winter it should be up to +17 degrees Celsius. In addition, an important condition must be observed: you must not put the plant near heaters and various heating systems that overheat the plant's body, thereby harming it.)
• Watering and feeding (Schefflera really needs moisture, she does not like dry soils, so the plant must be watered once every two days. The plant also requires constant spraying to maintain moist air around the plant. However, you should not overdo it with watering and spraying, as they can greatly harm the plant and destroy it. Fertilizing must be done in the fall and spring once a week, and in winter - once a month. This is the only way to maintain the composition necessary for the development and growth of the plant. In addition, it is necessary to alternate organic and mineral fertilizing so that the plant is completely received all the necessary substances.)
• Soil requirements (The plant requires a light, slightly acidic nutrient, which can be made by yourself from the necessary components or bought ready-made in a flower shop.)
• Pruning the plant (Pruning shufflers must be done gradually so as not to harm the plant. The leaves of the flower must be cut very carefully, cutting with charcoal. crowns.)

Reproduction of shefflers and growing a flower from seeds

Reproduction of shefflers can be done in three ways: propagation by cuttings, seeds and air layers. Each method has its own characteristics and differences that must be observed. Let's deal with each method and highlight the main breeding rules.

• Propagation by cuttings occurs in several stages: preparation of cuttings, soil preparation, planting and care of cuttings. The preparation of cuttings must be done carefully, choosing only the healthiest and strongest, otherwise the plant will not take root. Cuttings should be medium in size and 3 green young leaves should be left on them. Soil preparation is also done under close supervision. It must be saturated with all the necessary mineral and organic substances, it must be well moistened and dug up. Planting and caring for cuttings is carried out in accordance with other plants: in stages, gradually and according to all basic rules.
• The seeds of this plant are sold in any flower shop, so growing this plant from seeds is very affordable. After purchase, seeds must be soaked for some time in water with essential nutrients dissolved in it. After the seeds are saturated with all the necessary substances, they are planted in cups for seedlings, and after the first two green leaves appear on the seedlings, it can be concluded that the plant is ready for planting in the soil. And they are transplanted. There is nothing complicated in this technology, you just need time and patience.
• Air layering is the most difficult breeding process for shefflers, so the most patient and experienced growers use it. Layers are obtained from the trunk of another plant using moss and plastic bags. Then these cuttings are removed and planted separately from the mother plant. If you continue the procedure with moss and polyethylene, the plant will begin to curl and produce more air layers.

Necessary fertilizers, diseases and plant pests

1. Pests: spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs, aphids;
2. Diseases: falling leaves, the appearance of unwanted spots, elongation of shoots and loss of characteristic color in the leaves;
3. Fertilizers: nitrogen, potash, phosphoric, boric, organic, mineral.

09.01.2018 20 323

Sheflera is a flower that can be easily taken care of at home.

This plant with touchingly spread out leaves, reminiscent of a human palm, has recently been cultured, but has already managed to win the hearts of flower growers with its decorativeness and unpretentiousness. Caring for a flower by a sheflera at home is simple, it is feasible even for novice florists.

The genus of the shefler, to which the flower belongs, is numerous and has up to 200 species. Not all are suitable for indoor culture, some can grow in natural conditions up to 40 m. At home, the plant height is much smaller, but some varieties reach the ceiling of the room. The flower easily endures pruning and shaping, here the florist's fantasy can be fully developed. Most often, the following species can be found in room culture.

Sheflera is eight-leafed.

On creamy drooping petioles there are from 8 to 12 large (up to 40 cm in length) glossy green leaves. Leaf veins are lighter in color. There are variegated forms. At home, in Asian countries, it grows in the form of a bush or tree and reaches a height of 2 to 16 m.

Sheflera is tree-like.

Despite the name, it has a small height, although it grows in the form of a branchy tree. Leaves are up to 20 cm long. Amate requires less light than other species and is very resistant to pests. Its leaves are bright green, shiny. The Gold Capella variety also has green leaves, but with small yellow specks. The plant itself looks like a small palm tree. In Taiwan, where it grows wild, it is a four-meter evergreen bush. In room culture, there are many miniature varieties with monochromatic and variegated foliage: Melanie does not grow taller than 50 cm, Charlotte has beautiful white spots on leathery leaves, and the Caster variety is intended for lovers of small forms, 30 cm is the limit of its height. The tree-like chefler is successfully grown in the form of a bonsai.

Sheflera is radiant.

It is sometimes called star-leaved. It is found most often in culture. It grows in the form of a tree with a gray-brown straight trunk. On brown-red long petioles, 7 ovoid green shiny leaves with lighter veins and a wavy edge. The Nova variety has an oaky leaf shape. At home in Australia, it is an epiphyte that grows on trees in tropical forests and feeds on aerial roots. In a room it grows quickly to 80 cm, then grows slowly.

Sheflera is the most graceful.

Even at home, in Australia and New Zealand, it reaches a height of only 2 m. It does not grow taller than 50 cm in a room. It has unusual elongated leaves with jagged edges, sometimes decorated with beige edging.

Shefler Veitch.

Young leaves of this species have a reddish tint. They turn green with age. The leaves themselves are wavy, the edge with rounded teeth.

Sheflera's business.

In the forests of Western China, it grows up to 3 m, in the room - only up to 50 cm. The leaf is unusual for a chefler, resembles an oak in shape, but much larger in size. This species is less sensitive to light than others.

Shefler's flower - cultivation features

Sheflera is a plant in the tropics. It is difficult to create such conditions in the room, but the flower does not pretend to them. It is enough to simply observe the light and temperature conditions, protect it from drafts, water and feed it correctly. For variegated forms, good illumination is especially important, otherwise the plant may lose the brightness of the color of the leaves.

Home care

The plant is unpretentious, but if you do not create the necessary conditions for it, it can simply shed its leaves and lose all its decorative effect. Once the care is adjusted, the shefler quickly builds up leaf mass.

When working with a flower, it must be remembered that the juice of the plant contains irritating mucous membranes and skin, therefore, all manipulations associated with pruning must be carried out with gloves.

Lighting, temperature control

This native of the tropics loves light, but only tolerates direct sunlight at home. In a room, the midday sun can burn leaves on the leaves. Therefore, the best windows share chefs - oriented to the southeast or southwest. Some species are able to feel good on the northern window, but not variegated forms. They need more light - then the color of the leaves will be especially contrasting. In winter, the flower needs to be provided with maximum illumination, so it is better to rearrange it to the south window.

Rotate the pot periodically to help the plant develop evenly.

The temperature regime for chefs depends on the season. In winter, in a state of relative rest, she needs from 14 to 18 degrees of heat. For variegated forms, the temperature should be higher than for plants with completely green leaves. In summer, room temperature is suitable, but not higher than 30 degrees. Unlike many houseplants, the chef is not afraid of temperature fluctuations, on the contrary, they benefit her, increasing the vitality of the flower. Therefore, feel free to take it out into the garden with the onset of warmth, just pick up a place with a lace shadow at noon.

Soil requirements

The plant loves the soil light and nutritious, absorbing air and moisture well. The soil reaction should be neutral or slightly acidic.

You can do with purchased soil intended for palms or make a soil mixture of the following composition:

• sod land - 2 parts;
• peat, sand, humus, leaf earth - 1 part each.

Watering and humidity

Watering for this plant should be moderate. Overflow is fraught with decay of the root system, it cannot be allowed. Water the flower when the topsoil dries up a little, in the summer - 2 or 3 times a week, in the winter - 1 time. The earthen coma must not be allowed to completely dry out.

Sheflera loves high humidity. They increase it in the following ways:

• spraying the plant several times a day with soft and warm water;
• wiping the leaves with a wet cloth;
• placing the pot in a pan with moistened expanded clay or moss, but so that moisture does not touch the drainage hole.

For any water procedure, only soft water with a minimum salt content is suitable. Its temperature should be slightly higher than that of the surrounding air.

Top dressing and fertilization

As soon as the first new leaf appears in the spring, they begin to feed the chefler. This is done every 2 weeks with a complex fertilizer for ornamental plants, slightly reducing the dosage against the norm. It is useful to spray the leaves with a solution of immunostimulants once a month.

How to cut the chefler?

Cut the flower to form a lush crown and reduce the vertical size of fast-growing varieties. The first pruning is carried out at the grown plant, shortening the apical shoot by 4 internodes. The trimming tool must be sharp. It is better to process cuts with crushed coal. After the appearance and regrowth of lateral shoots, you can begin to form a spherical crown, cutting off their tops. All cuttings can be used for propagation. Pruning weakens the plant, so do it in stages.

Transfer

A young sheflera requires an annual transplant, which is carried out in the spring. For an adult plant, this procedure is carried out every few years, choosing a pot larger than the previous one. The top layer of the substrate in mature plants is changed annually. The chefler's flower needs good drainage - the volume of the drainage layer of expanded clay, fragments of an old pot or brick should take up a quarter of the entire pot.

The feeding of the transplanted plants begins when they release a new leaf.

Dormant period

It is very important for the plant. In low light conditions, he needs to slow down his metabolism.

To do this, do the following:

• reduce feeding, it is enough to feed the chef 2 times per winter;
• reduce watering;
• lower the temperature;
• lighting during this period should be the maximum possible, this is especially important for variegated forms.

Reproduction of a cheflera flower

Reproduction of sheflers can be carried out with almost lignified cuttings, seeds and air layers.

• Cut to the chefler in the spring, making an oblique cut and leaving no more than three leaves on the cuttings, which are shortened by half. The cut must be dipped in a root formation stimulator and the cutting should be planted in a wet mixture of peat and sand under a plastic bag. For the cutting to take root, the soil temperature must be about 25 degrees. The package is removed 1-2 times a day for airing, and the soil is moistened so that it does not dry out. When the roots grow, young plants are planted in pots with a diameter of 9-10 cm.

Cuttings of variegated forms take root more difficult than green-leaved ones.

• Sheffler seeds can be purchased at a flower shop. Before sowing, they are soaked in an immunostimulant, for example, in Epin, and then sown in a mixture of peat and sand to a depth of about 2 cm and covered with a polyethylene bag. Germination is possible at temperatures around 25 degrees. You can seat the chefs in separate cups when the second sheet appears. At first, young chefs need warmth.
• Air layering is obtained if the chefs make a notch on the trunk and wrap this place with moss moistened in a solution of a root formation stimulator. The moss must be kept constantly moist. It is best to wrap it in plastic. As soon as the roots appear, and it happens after 2 months, the cuttings are cut off and planted in a permanent place. If you continue to care for the mother plant by wrapping wet moss around the cut, it will begin to branch.
• The plant responds by dropping leaves to temperatures that are too high in summer or too low in winter. Another reason is over-watering. The plant also loses its leaves if it does not have enough light.
• Yellow leaves can be a signal that pests have appeared on the flower. If they are not there, then the flower is simply too hot.
• The leaves of the cheflera turn black if the root rots, which happens with excessive watering. The plant is removed from the pot, the damaged roots are cut off and sprinkled with crushed coal, dried and planted again. Dark spots, starting from the tips, appear on the chefler with low air humidity and a lack of moisture in the pot.

Sheflera (or shefflera, from Lat. Schefflera) is a very beautiful plant. Due to its decorative appearance and lack of capricious care, it has become a very popular home flower.

Sheffler looks like a small bush or tree, whose leaves resemble a palm with fingers apart. The sheet is divided into 4-12 parts. To many, such a leaf resembles an umbrella, so the chef is often called an umbrella tree.

At the shefler's home almost never blooms however, its tentacle-like flower is still not as spectacular as the leaves. In addition, such a disadvantage as the lack of flowering and an uninteresting flower, the cheflera is fully compensated for by the sheffler's ability to ozonize and humidify the air, as well as neutralize the effects of nicotine and tobacco smoke tar and, at the same time, by simple care.

The plant got its name from the name of the German botanist Scheffler, who lived in the 18th century and was a friend of the famous K. Linnaeus. It belongs to the Araliev family, and this family is distinguished by the variety of both names and appearance. In nature, there are about 200 species of sheffler, they grow in the tropical part of the Earth, are presented in the form of shrubs, trees and even lianas. Their photos are striking in size, color of leaves and their interesting shape.

At home, about a dozen species are grown.

• radiant,
• finger,
• tree-like,
• eight-leafed.

All of them look quite attractive and neat at the same time, so they are often found both at home and in offices. If you want to decorate the room with a plant and at the same time maintain the style, the sheffler will perfectly cope with this role. Photos of how to decorate an apartment or office with this plant will help not only to choose the appropriate type, but also to "fit" this flower into the design of the room in the best way.

The radiant, or star-leaved, sheffler differs in the number of leaves in adult leaves - there are 16 of them, at first they are ovoid, then they become oblong, dull at the end, reaching a length of 15 cm and a width of 5 cm. the species grows very quickly and can even reach a height of 3 meters!

The finger shefler has 8 leaves per sheet, they have an elliptical shape, pointed at the end. The leaves are decorated with bright veins. This cheflera is more compact than radiant.

In the tree-like sheflera, the leaves are complex, consisting of 7-16 leaves on long petioles. Leaves reach 9-15 cm in length and 5-8 cm in width, dense leathery, shiny, pointed at the end. This species can be variegated. It grows up to 1.2 m.

Eight-leafed is not very common, although it is also quite decorative. It has 8–12 elongated leaflets pointed at the apex of leaves up to 30 cm long and up to 10 wide with light veins.

Often, beginner growers can get confused in the types of this plant and find it difficult to choose, however, a photo sheffler will help you choose the most interesting type.

In addition, the shefflers many specially bred varieties, which are often found at home and at the same time are equally unpretentious to care.

Popular varieties

• Hayata has light green oval-elongated leaves that are tapered at the tips.
• Geisha Girl is distinguished by dark green leaves, rounded at the end.
• Janine is attractive with its striking rounded dark green leaves, which are forked at the ends and covered with cream spots and stripes.
• Variegata has dark green leaves with yellow spots.

Shefflera care

Sheflera is a fairly easy plant to care for. She is unpretentious and, subject to simple rules, will delight you with lush bright foliage. For the home, such a flower is a real find! If you want to have a beautiful plant in your house and at the same time not spend a lot of time caring for it, then the best choice is a sheffler.Care at home, a photo and video about which can be found on the network, will not burden almost anyone.

Lighting

Special attention should be paid to lighting. Sheflera likes diffused light, but feels good in partial shade. It can also tolerate direct sunlight for some time, but it is still better to shade it from them in order to avoid burns on the leaves. It is best for the chefler to grow on the western and eastern windows, with green leaves on the northern ones. In winter, it is worth putting the plant in a well-lit place at home and lighting it up, especially if the room is warmer than 17 ᵒС. In the summer, you can take the chefler out of the house into the fresh air, protected from the direct sun.

Temperature

The preferred temperature for keeping cheflers at home is 20 ᵒС. If the temperature exceeds 20 ° C, the cheflera may shed the leaves. Therefore, if it gets cooler at night, then it will not damage the flower. It also sheds leaves if there are drafts or temperature changes.

In winter, the optimum temperature is 14–17 ᵒС. Never place the plant near heaters and indoor radiators!

The home chef needs to water regularly, she does not tolerate overdried soil. Usually, the flower is watered about once every two days, when the soil surface is dry. But it is not worth pouring, the bay harms her no less, since leads to acidification of the earthy coma... Watering is less frequent in winter than in spring and summer. The water must be soft (it must first be defended) and always warm so that the soil temperature remains at least the ambient temperature.

Caring for a chefleur assumes humid air, so the cheflera will feel comfortable in a pallet with wet expanded clay. You need to spray the flower every two days. Humidity is especially important in winter, when the room temperature may be too high.

Shefler need to be fed once a week in spring and autumn, once a month in winter. It is best to alternate complex mineral and organic fertilizers for the care of indoor ornamental plants.

Transfer

Shefler is planted with several plants in one container, then it takes on a spectacular appearance of a bush.

Every two years, it needs to be transplanted into a pot much larger than the previous one. Sheflera prefers a slightly acidic soil, consisting of two parts of sod and one part of leafy, humus soil and sand, as well as drainage.

Pests and diseases

Despite the unpretentiousness of the sheffler, like other house plants, it is susceptible to certain diseases.

First of all, she can suffer from the cold. Sheflers in nature are evergreen thermophilic perennials, they are on sale at any time of the year, which means that when purchased in cold weather, the flower may freeze.

As already mentioned, at high temperatures and some other factors, including overflow, excessive humidity and too low temperatures in winter, drafts and sudden changes in Scheffler temperature can shed leaves... When the cause is eliminated, the leaf fall will stop.

Also, with excessive soil moisture, roots may begin to rot. You can save the plant by taking it out of the pot, removing all affected roots and transplanting it into a new pot. If watering or moisture is insufficient, the edges of the leaves will turn brown.

Leaves become faded if the flower does not have enough light; if there is too much light, light spots appear on the leaves.

Most often, the sheffler is damaged by:

• shield,
• spider mite.

When caring for a sick flower, it is quarantined so as not to infect others. For treatment, it is necessary to increase the humidity of the air and treat the chefler with soapy water or insecticide.

Reproduction

You can propagate the chefler cuttings, layering or seeds.

Cuttings

For reproduction, apical or semi-lignified stem cuttings are taken. A mixture of equal parts of peat, sand, leafy and humus soil is best suited for rooting. The cuttings are treated with a root stimulant and heated underneath at 20–22 ° C. When the cuttings take root, the temperature should be lowered and the cuttings transplanted into larger pots.

Layers

For reproduction by air layers at home, only large specimens are used. For this, in early spring, a small incision is made on the trunk, then wrapped with sphagnum moss and film. The moss must be kept moist.

After a few months, roots appear at the site of the incision. After another couple of months, the trunk must be cut below the roots and planted in a permanent place.

Schefflera is poisonous... To avoid unpleasant skin reactions, you should wash your hands after handling it.

Seeds

Pre-soaked seeds are sown in January - February in a wet disinfected mixture of equal parts of peat and sand. Seeds germinate at 20–24 ° C. When the first leaves appear, the seedlings are transplanted into pots. For the first three months they need temperatures of 18-20 ° C. When the roots are entwined with an earthen ball, the plants are transplanted back into pots with a diameter of 7-9 cm and the temperature is reduced to 13-15 ° C. In the fall, the plants can be transplanted into even larger containers and then take care of it like a normal plant.

Sheffler's flower