Q.Schefflera Arboricola Dying?
Hello, I need help with my Schefflera arboricola. Some time ago, the tree lost a lot of leaves and stem. I changed the soil and looked at the roots but I couldn’t see any rotten ones, although it looked to me that the roots are very short (?). I put it in a brighter spot too. Now I can see many new leaves growing, but one of the brunch is dry (it looks like the bark is ’empty’ if pressed, see picture) and no new leaves are growing there. On the next brunch (on its right-hand side in another photo), connected to it, the leaves are now all down. Under the leaves there are spots that look like water drops and brown spots. Is it a fungus? How can I recover the dry brunch and save the one the seems to be going in the same path? Thank you for any help you can provide and best wishes, Agnese
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Yes. With time, you will notice those smaller roots thickening. I wouldn't worry so much about the single primary root wrapping around the base (This is what lead me to believe that it was cramped at one point) as this has already been pruned.
Just care for it as normal with treatment, and it should spring back.
Keep all dying and dead material pruned and disposed of.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
The vendor that you purchased it from may have trimmed the roots prior to the purchase. Typically, this is done to maintain shorter stature, but can introduce infection as well. If the roots were not trimmed, and naturally infected, then they may have rotted away.
It does appear that it may have been overcompacted at some point during its life. This could be the reason for maintenance root pruning done by the vendor if it has been done.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
This specimen does not have any primary roots that typically anchor the plant down! This is not typical. It makes me wonder if the roots were lost or trimmed off at some point. If this is the case, then it is very likely to have introduced the fungal/bacterial infection that you are seeing.
This can be due to overcramped root space as well. A larger container can promote bigger root formation.
The infection could be either fungal or bacterial. Many can be hard to tell apart, and your local agricultural extension can be of assistance with testing.
Proper care and fungicide use may prolong the life of your shrub, but there is a chance that it is on its way out.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/schefflera/schefflera-plant-care.htm
Thank you very much. I'll ask them. Can those roots regrow?
Oh no! I bought it only at the end of August and never trimmed the roots. I re-planted it yesterday in new soil adding Mycorrhizal Fungi root growth, and it seems to me that they had plenty of space to grow in the older pot. What do you mean with "roots lost"? For a fungal disease? Thank you very much for your help!
