Avoiding root rot in Schefflera

[Virgil]

Hi all. I am experimenting with misting schedules right now, before I get my cham. I am worried about flooding my schefflera and giving it root rot. Are there ways this can be avoided, such as covering the dirt with plastic? Are the plants actually supposed to dry out between mistings?

The two plants, a pothos and a schef, are washed and potted in soil with perlite and vermiculite, which I picked out of the top inch of dirt, and smooth rocks cover all the dirt. Three sides of the screen cage are covered in shower curtain for humidity. I am using a raindome for water. The rain falls right into the schefflera pot off of the leaves, but not the pothos pot.

Thanks.

 

[melble68]

I saw someone here use a home made cone reflector that went around the stalk of the plant to do exactly what you are wanting to do. It was something that she got from the craft store. A flexible plastic sheet, probably 1/16" or 1/8" thick that she curled around the stalk of the plant. It over hung the pot (trimmed round to match the pot) and the water would hit it and then drop to the bottom of the enclosure instead of going into the plant. It could be attached using zip ties or something. I may need to do something similar myself.

Another good method for additional drainage is to mix 1:1 ratio of clean play sand w/ organic potting soil. The sand helps the water drain better.

 

[Virgil]

Thank you! The cone seems so obvious...I'll try that.

 

[JacobH]

Vermiculite will retain moisture. Perlite helps drainage, this is even more true if you get a hold of the large perlite. Another thing that can help is putting a layer of perlite or hydroton in the bottom of the pot.

Good air circulation helps with the plants general health, so try and make sure some fresh air gets in the room if it can.

Having back up plants is always a good idea. You can get plants like this at major chain stores and most of the time you can separate it into several plants. I think I got 10 Schefflera out of 2 pots a while back.

 

[CarlC]

Skip the vermiculite. Perlite and sand will help with drainage and allow more air exchange.

Carl

 

[Deevo]

Don't let the soil or medium become over saturated. Allow the plant to dry between mistings. It will be able to tolerate the drops from a dripper all day but turn it off at night.

 

[Virgil]

I will see how long it takes to dry between mistings. I may change out the soil again...
Thanks!

 

[JacobH]

To gauge how wet the soil is, I recommend lifting the pot the same way every time at varying intervals of watering. It is a less scientific way of gauging how much water is in the pot.

If you buy bagged potting soil it normally is somewhat moist when you open it. So pot the plant and lift it, this is about as light as you should expect it to ever be.

 

[Ninkylou]

Jumping in on this thread. I think the member they are referring to about the deflecting collar on the plants is me, that worked great when I had a single stock shelf or other plant but I now have a few multi-stock sheffs and am dealing with over moist soil. The collaring did work very well. It was like an Elizabethan collar on an animal made of craft foam.

 

[MSAquatics]

You can go to any pet store and get an adjustable cone made to fit dog's to prevent them from licking wounds, and it will fit most plants. I mixed a 1:3 ratio of perlite to potting soil, and placed a layer of gravel in the bottom of the pot to retain the soil. I remove the drip pan from the pot so the water can run right out into a drainage container below the cage. Its worked fine with my plants.

Good luck,
Leland

 

[Deevo]

I just wanted to add that last night at Ikea there was an entire section of the store for semi-artificial and real house plants. They had umbrella trees, money trees, pothos, fake twigs and real & flowers.

 

[Mijah139]

has anyone tried poking or drilling small holes in the pot to allow for more drainage and airflow? Just a thought