Arboricola Bonsai Care

General Information: The schefflera arboricola commonly known as the dwarf umbrella tree is an evergreen shrub with dark or light green veriegated, glossy, compound leaves densley covering flexible, green stems which gently fan out into a rounded crown. Easily grown and with care can acheive very interesting arial root structures.
Family: Araliaceae
Lighting: Part shade, part sun Temperature: Zone 9b.
Watering: Adequate water in a draining pot. The moisture content should not maintain a steady wet state.
Feeding: General purpose fertilizer.
Pruning and wiring: Branching can be encouraged by pinching the stems. It can be pruned into a small tree over a period of years. Style as a broad crowned bonsai with the silhouette of a banyan tree.
Propagation: May be propagated by cuttings, seeds and air layer.
Potting: The shrub may need annual repotting and may be severely root pruned. Grows in most types of soils but does best in a slightly alkaline mixture. Your pot or tray should also be well drained.
Pests and diseases: If grown indoors scale and spider mites are pests to watch for. No diseases of major concern.
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