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A beautiful and Edible Bamboo Shoot Species are a valuable crop in many parts of the world.

Check the undersides of the leaves for aphids. They leave a sticky residue called honeydew. If you don't see them, check the stems for scale insects such as mealybugs.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/schefflera/schefflera-plant-care.htm

I suggest waiting till you've moved to cut them back. The change in environment will stress them. You can cut them back at any juncture. You can also cut them within a couple of inches of the soil and let them regrow.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/schefflera/schefflera-plant-pruning.htm

Personally, I would wait until it is a few inches taller, but that will work if you choose to use it. Simply, cut it where it meets the branch. Apply a rooting hormone and keep the rooting mix slightly moist without being saturated or dry.

Here is an article that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/schefflera/schefflera-plant-cuttings.htm

You do not need to cut off the whole top. You can just remove about 1/2 of the leafy area and the bottom trunk should sprout leaves.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/schefflera/schefflera-plant-pruning.htm

Two times a week is a lot of water for a schefflera. I suggest letting it dry out more between waterings. Try spraying the plant with Neem oil to get rid of the pest. It will also help if a fungal infection is causing the dark spots and leaves. Also they don't need to be fertilized, so hold back on that if you are fertilizing.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/schefflera/schefflera-plant-care.htm