I really wasn't all that interested in Scheffs or really any indoor bonsai but a few weeks ago my sister started asking my about a Scheff bonsai that she's had for about 5 years now. Since she really had no idea what to do with it she's been asking me. It's really just a big houseplant in a small pot now. About the same time my local grocery store showed up with these.
[img]https://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad43/derkap10_photo/Bonsai/Scheff001.jpg[/img]
Figured I'd pick one up so I would have a little more experience to try to help her out. I had a Scheff years ago but it was just a big houseplant. As you can see this one came in a really kind of crappy pot (inside lip, too tall, a place to put a photograph, surprisingly it did have a drainage hole). First thing was a new pot. Had the one my Chinese Elm came in (had long since outgrown it, badly root-bound). The soil was standard potting soil. Way too wet. And (Dark Lord of the Sith evil!!) had the rocks and gravel glued to the top. I mean really glued! Was afraid I would have to break out a chisel to get them off. But after some patient picking I managed to get them out of there and got the plant into the new pot. A small amount of pruning and......
[img]https://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad43/derkap10_photo/Bonsai/Scheff008.jpg[/img]
Since there was a fair amount of damage to the roots getting it out of that pot I did some more pruning today. And this is how it looks now...
[img]https://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad43/derkap10_photo/Bonsai/PlantsandTrees020.jpg[/img]
So.... critiques? Suggestions? Wasn't something I was really looking to do but I'm actually kind of happy with the way it looks. Will almost surely put into a larger pot next year but anything I should do before then? Thanks much,
Allen
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TomM
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Allen - yeah me again. No advice to give, but a hardy thank you for turning the mallsai loose and rescuing it from its 'glued in' jail cell. Best of luck to you as you and your little scheff grow with expanded horizons.
If 99 mallsai recipients watch their new 'bonsai' die and don't know why - but 1, like you, takes the time and effort to do the right thing, then all is well. You are a bonsai activist !!!
Tom
If 99 mallsai recipients watch their new 'bonsai' die and don't know why - but 1, like you, takes the time and effort to do the right thing, then all is well. You are a bonsai activist !!!
Tom
I keep wanting to put signs up in these stores saying "repot lest ye be danged'. lolVery nice job with the Scheff. I've got about 12 of them rooting right now and they are ready to be potted up. I'm going to make a few root-over-rock since they seem to do well that way. You said the roots were damaged when you re-potted, so give it some time to recover.
I have these in my office where they get afternoon sun. There are 5 cuttings in the pot.
[img]https://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/marsman61/Bonsai/Hunts%20Schefflera/Scheff4-26-10.jpg[/img]
I have another similar pot at home and two long cutting in vases. The long cuttings aren't throwing any roots, but are still healthy. I need to get those two into soil or I'm afraid I might lose them.
[url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22268]This is the original Scheff the cuttings came from.[/url]
I have these in my office where they get afternoon sun. There are 5 cuttings in the pot.
[img]https://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/marsman61/Bonsai/Hunts%20Schefflera/Scheff4-26-10.jpg[/img]
I have another similar pot at home and two long cutting in vases. The long cuttings aren't throwing any roots, but are still healthy. I need to get those two into soil or I'm afraid I might lose them.
[url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22268]This is the original Scheff the cuttings came from.[/url]