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Timedwards
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:08 pm Posts: 93 Location: Dudley, West Midlands UK
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Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
Just bought a smallish (2ltr) Schefflera Taiwaniana and was wondering if anyone has any tips on how & where to plant. I have read it needs sun but sheltered from winds and an acid soil. Not sure if this is all correct for this particular type or if I should plant staright into the ground or keep it in the pot and overwinter in the greenhouse to get some height into it first? I have light sandy soil here so if I plated straight into the ground I presume digging in some ericaceous compost would help.
Just spent all my birthday money on plants but would rather not take risks with this one as I know how spectacular they can look if they thrive in the right spot.
Thanks Tim
_________________ Tim
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 9:02 am |
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themes
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:42 am Posts: 2148 Location: birmingham, UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
I've got both of mine in shade. They cope better then a lot of plats in dry soil. .But if you want to grow it faster plant in moist free draining. I am running out of spaces so anything planted has to get on with it
_________________ Regards,
Mo
Last edited by themes on Wed Mar 27, 2019 4:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 9:54 am |
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Kev Spence
Site Admin
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:59 pm Posts: 10902 Location: Loughborough, Leics, central UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 3:46 pm |
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themes
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:42 am Posts: 2148 Location: birmingham, UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
3 different schefflera are growing in dry compacted soil directly under trees with a large mass of roots and they don't mind it. It's what you get when you are typing on your phone
_________________ Regards,
Mo
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 3:58 pm |
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Timedwards
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:08 pm Posts: 93 Location: Dudley, West Midlands UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
Thanks gents I read the following from a nursery website 'All the species grow here in well drained acidic soil' so thought they needed it. Now that I have looked on RHS site it seems they don't mind any soil type as long as it is well drained! So Kev is right about the root rot and In Mo's case under trees in dry soil will help I suppose with this in winter so my light sandy soil will be good as it is but should I wait until it is approx 1m high before planting out as RHS says it should be hardy by this height. So I may put it an a pot then first unless you suggest to plant staright out. What height were yours when you planted out? Did you stake yours? Sorry about all the questions Tim
_________________ Tim
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 4:23 pm |
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Kev Spence
Site Admin
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:59 pm Posts: 10902 Location: Loughborough, Leics, central UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
Tim no worries questions are what this forum is about I would wait till you have grown it on a little until as they say its around 1mt high.
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 4:32 pm |
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Timedwards
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:08 pm Posts: 93 Location: Dudley, West Midlands UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
Will do Kev and it will look a nice specimen plant in a pot in the meantime.
This forum is very good for inspiration but also saving money by helping to avoid expensive mistakes. Not that I expect never to lose plants - after all it is 'growing on the edge'.
Cheers Tim
_________________ Tim
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 5:07 pm |
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Andy Martin
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:58 pm Posts: 1279 Location: Oxford UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
I have found with some of the Vietnamese species they dont like it hot...30°C + Schefflera taiwaniana may be a little less fussy. I've also lost a few in pots with their fussy roots being temperamental between dry and wet soil. Like Mo mine are in semi shade not seeing Sun until 2.00pm in high summer and they grow in a raised bed. There is a new kid on the block which is similar looking to S taiwaniana Schefflera Schweliensis from high altitude Nagaland
_________________ Lover of Yuccas,Palms,Nolinas,Schefflera.
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 6:35 pm |
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Timedwards
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:08 pm Posts: 93 Location: Dudley, West Midlands UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
Andy, what potting compost do you use for them while in pots - will John Innes number 2 be a safe bet?
_________________ Tim
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 8:01 pm |
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themes
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:42 am Posts: 2148 Location: birmingham, UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
I planted mine small. Getting things in the ground is easier for me as it means less watering. Note of caution I had fantsipanensis in a pot in shade and come mid summer it had a panic attack and wilted really badly. I have since planted in the ground in deep shade. Andy is right the Vietnam ones don't like it really hot. Personally I would get things in the ground . Less to do . I planted this one small and it's bigger then this photo now and is going to flush as I had a look today
_________________ Regards,
Mo
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 8:09 pm |
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Timedwards
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:08 pm Posts: 93 Location: Dudley, West Midlands UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
Mmmm decisions decisions - all good points but why is nothing ever simple lol. Those fussy roots are worrying me now! I will have to have a think between now and the weekend and make a decision one way or the other then pray. At least it has gone mild here and I think Taiwaniana is quite a hardy one as far as they go. I could always put canes around it if I go that way and chuck a fleece over it if it drops cold. What to do Looks very happy under that tree Mo. My neighbour cut a huge overhanging tree down last summmer, bit of a shame. It was far too big but I quite liked it and it would have given just the right amount of shade too.
_________________ Tim
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 8:35 pm |
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Andy Martin
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:58 pm Posts: 1279 Location: Oxford UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
Tim.... Mo is right ... get the plant into the ground as soon as you can. Regarding the compost I use just soil a sandy free draining soil which will compact over a period of time but still drains easily (lime free). Once the plant has settled in don't feed or water it. Mo .... is that Schefflera one of Mark Fillan's Schefflera taiwaniana? A really healthy looking plant
_________________ Lover of Yuccas,Palms,Nolinas,Schefflera.
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 10:28 pm |
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themes
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:42 am Posts: 2148 Location: birmingham, UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
_________________ Regards,
Mo
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Wed Mar 27, 2019 10:41 pm |
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David Matzdorf
Site Admin
Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:06 pm Posts: 5321 Location: Islington, London UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
My Schefflera taiwaniana never really established. It grew on well from a cutting for a few years until planting out, then grew moderately vigorously for about a year. Then it gradually deteriorated, probably as a result of chronic drought, combined with heat. It lost its growing point and was just starting to show signs of side-shoots. Then another plant landed on it after a gust, disturbed the roots and it died pretty quickly after that.
I reckon it prefers a cool, reliably moist, well-drained location in bright shade or part-time sun. Moderation in all things.
_________________ 51º33'07"N x 0º07'21"W
43m (142 feet) ASL
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Thu Mar 28, 2019 11:59 am |
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themes
Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:42 am Posts: 2148 Location: birmingham, UK
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Re: Schefflera Taiwaniana advice
_________________ Regards,
Mo
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Thu Mar 28, 2019 4:56 pm |
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