Schefflera Propagation help needed

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

I saw this plant at a friend's and was captivated by it. Unfortunately, he had no idea of how to propagate it, so I asked if I could trim a couple of stems of it, thinking they would root. However, I think I may have actually cut off leaves, or rather the "stalk" the palmate leaves are attached to; the videos online all show cuttings taken with what I could only call a stem and a thin stalk to which the leaves are attached to, on this stem, whereas I only have the stalk part (much thinner than the stems seen online).

Since I will not be able to visit my friend again for a while (and because I do not feel comfortable pruning his plant again for my needs), I was wondering if anyone has tried or knows if propagation from this part of the plant would work. I will try to root it since I have nothing to loose, but I have no idea on the approach I should use for best results, since this is probably an unorthodox approach.

In the meantime, I placed the stems (stalk/leaves, whatever they are called (edit: petioles, Thank you Tiffany!)) in water so that the leaves do not dry out or wrinkle. I was thinking of adding aspirin to the water to promote root growth or at least reduce the stress that I have induced upon the cuttings. Would appreciate any and all input.

Featured Answer

tete_a_tete

11 years ago

No, I don't think that would be frowned upon. I did it once and didn't notice any frowns at all.

As you say, you have nothing to lose by trying to root what you have. I don't think that it will work but if I were you, I'd give it a go. Because it can't work if you don't even try, IYKWIM.

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Comments (9)

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
Are you able to share a pic of what you have? Scheffs have compound leaves that consist of several leaflets and a petiole (leaf stem.) The petiole connects the leaves together, then connects to the stem/trunk of the plant. Some plants can be propagated from just a petiole, but IDK if Scheff is one of them.
Rose Beyaz thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Rose Beyaz
Original Author
11 years ago
I have the leaf stem, petiole as you called it. The one that the leaflets are connected to on the one end and is then connected to the stem on the other end. Thank you for the clarification and I hope this clarification will help some of the others on the forum that may have experience with this. I will try to post pictures later on in the day.

I really hope that Scheff is one that can be propagated from petioles.
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Rose Beyaz
Original Author
11 years ago
Repeated and in-depth research online yielded no results on the matter. I guess it is not possible or no one has tried it before.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
There is also a house plant forum. More pairs of eyes would see your question if asked there also. Good luck!
Rose Beyaz thanked Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
Rose Beyaz
Original Author
11 years ago
Will try there as well then, thanks! I was thinking about posting there too but I was worried that posting on the same topic in 2 forums would be frowned upon (as is in most forums).
Rose Beyaz
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you tete_a_tete. I posted on the fourm, but I have not yet received any replies. In the meantime, I placed the cuttings in water and will transfer a couple to soil-peat mixture to increase my odds of success (in case rooting in soil is a waste, then perhaps soil will work). I am also thinking to trying to root one in aquarium gravel only.

Here is the post under the houseplants forum:

Link under the house plants forum
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 years ago
I'm pretty sure that using just a compound leaf and petiole won't work. But if you can get a cutting with a section of stem Schefflera is very easy to root.
Rose Beyaz thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
Rose Beyaz
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. So far, all the replies I have gotten seem to point in this direction as well. Still keeping them in water and I will try soaking the ends in aspirin this weekend- might be a lost cause but I do want to see what (if anything) happens.