Pinching Schefflera?

I don't suppose anyone knows about umbrella plants? I just received a Schefflera taiwaniana as a competition prize. I read that it can be pinched to make it bushier but I'm not sure when to do this. I'm guessing from autumn to winter before new growth starts?

 

What a great prize to win @JackJJW a very sort after plant.
If it were mine I'd be pitching it out when growth starts in spring but I'm no expert.
Maybe @pete , @PeterS or @longk can be of more help than me

 

Hi Jack,
I agree with Mowgley, ( I presume it's an evergreen ) I would pinch it in the Spring when the saps starting to rise and it's beginning to grow again.

 

Yes it is ever green (it's leaves look a little battered/infected with rust). I read that it is related to Fatsia japonica and I've seen that its leaves grow in a very similar way. That makes sense to pinch it then. I was worried that by pinching an active bud it might kill the growth for the year but with the sap rising, as you say, the plant will keep going.

I feel very lucky winning it. I'd unknowingly photographed the plant on a trip to a botanical garden as something I thought was really unusual. A year later and now I randomly have my own one. Very exciting!


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Any chance of a piccy please

 

Here you go:



I'd have to get close ups at the weekend as its outside now.


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That would look nice in a larger planter, especially if you can get it to branch out a little.

 

That's a nice plant jack. I was just wondering the same myself I have an umbrella tree growing indoors and it's getting really close to the ceiling can I just chop the top off. And would it be possible to root the cut piece to start a new plant.


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I've read on an old conversation on another forum that you can do both of those things and looking down my plant it looks like there are clear nodes and dormant shoots all down the stem. So, I can't say for sure but it seems to be ok.


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It's not a genus that I know much about at all.
What I do know is that this species is one of the hardier species (not that I'm describing it as hardy as I haven't tried) and it is less well suited to indoor culture.
Schefflera are related to Fatsia and they respond well to pruning. I agree with Anthony, if you're going to pinch it out wait until the spring.

 

Cheers jack. I'm gonna lop the top 2 or 3 feet off it this evening. It has leaves all the way down the trunk so hopefully it won't look to severe


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It sounds like a good experiment if it is hitting the ceiling anyway. Please do keep us updated on how it grows again later [emoji3]


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I will jack. I didn't do it yesterday couldn't find the secatuers. I'll do it this eve and post before and after pics


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Well I did it!!! We will see what happens.

Before


After





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Looking good, I should think yours will be fine as you have so many growth points all the way down. It will be interesting to see where new growth sprouts from!