Over the winter, an umbrella tree (schefflera) that I was keeping in a pot grew really tall and leggy. A few weeks ago, I decided to cut the top out of it and root it in water. I still had about a meter (about three feet) of stem left in the pot, with its roots and with just one leaf at the top. Rather than put the stem and leaf in the compost, I just set it aside in a place where it would get a lot of light to see what would happen to it. Well, one day recently I notice that leaft buds were growing all along its length. The photo on the left show what it looks like now. Meanwhile, I put the top in water and in just a few days it started growing root. I planted that cutting in a pot too. It's only half as tall as the one in my photo. I can't wait to see what it will look like toward the end of the summer.
Here's another tall plant that I keep in a pot. It's called elephant bush by some. The scientific name is Portulacaria afra and it's two or three inches taller than the Schefflera. I've read that the Portulacaria can be made into a Bonsai. I plan to do just that.
I see what you mean about "leggy"! I've never tried Bonsai. Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteYou're a whiz with plants!
ReplyDeleteAdd me to the list of those curious about the bonsai process. I've only seen the end result!
ReplyDeleteYour Scheffleras are looking magnificent! As for the bonsai, for me it just seems so 'cruel' to stunt the growth of plants - more like the Japanese men who loved and fetished over their women's tiny feet (which made it impossible for women to walk and the women had to be carried everywhere Their lives were immensely restricted as you can imagine. A near relative has about 35 (at last count) bonsai and he attends to their needs daily. They are amazingly beautiful but for me - wiring up their trunks and branches is just too personal. I attended a beautiful exhibit at Descanso Gardens many years ago in Burbank, too. I can admire them and their beauty.
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