My Bonsai Obsession: Onerous Pruning a Schefflera

When somebody at a bonsai workshop advises me to cut timber again to leafless stumps, I am typically reluctant to do it. Though I’ve had some success with trunk chops, more often than not I would quite lower timber again to the bottom progress, look ahead to again budding, then reduce additional. Progress is a bit of slower that manner, however I favor to err on the aspect of warning.

With some species that strategy does not work although. After I prune Scheffleras they have a tendency to develop again from the purpose at which they have been lower, not decrease down the place I need new branches.

So after I determined that this little Schefflera wanted pruning, drastic measures have been known as for.

November 2019 –  earlier than pruning

A few of the newer members of my membership have been horrified after I advised them my plans, however I knew what needed to be carried out. Just a few fast cuts later I used to be left with this.

November 2019 – after pruning

Scheffleras are sluggish growers and now, 4 weeks later, there are just a few tiny buds beginning to put in an look on the branches. I do know that my little tree is doing okay, however it nonetheless makes me nervous.

On the time it was chopped I mentioned my plans for its after-care with one other member of my membership. I stated I supposed to return it to its residence in my greenhouse. He felt it ought to go exterior.

On the time his thought appeared a viable choice because the climate was extraordinarily dry, so I felt a bit silly after I stated I wished to guard it from the opportunity of extra rain. However I really feel vindicated now as a result of it has been raining nearly constantly for practically 5 days. Gradual persistent rain which is displaying no signal of abating. Gray skies have turn into the norm and I’ve nearly forgotten what the solar appears to be like like! That is not regular climate the place I dwell, but it surely occurs now and again.

I’ve seen what harm that sort of climate can do to a tree on this state.

Years in the past I defoliated the same Schefflera. That was again within the days after I nonetheless tried to develop a few of my timber indoors. Protecting it inside should not have been an issue. Scheffleras are very tolerant.  I saved my massive one in a really darkish room for years earlier than I realised the error of my methods and moved it exterior. My drawback was that I misplaced persistence. When it was progressing too slowly on a sunny windowsill, I made a decision to maneuver it exterior.

As luck would have it, just a few days later we have been hit by the sort of climate we’re experiencing now. An excessive amount of water for a tree with out leaves! In just a few days it was useless.

Had I left this one uncovered to the weather, it might in all probability have died too.