Schefflera arboricola dying?

agnese.benzonelli25494 · 10 January

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

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/8a/7d3h4ktzc31n.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/m0/6jno1otf8wvj.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/iz/txsqiom5rw3d.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/5j/5ltusylxh2v4.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/ry/s0zr0ek1tbsj.jpeg

GardenerSuze · 10 January

@agnese.benzonelli25494 That doesn't look like alot of root to support such a large plant. Has it been outside over the summer the roots could have been eaten? When a plant becomes stressed one problem can lead to another.

I must add that I am looking at this from a gardeners perspective, my knowledge of this particular plant is limited.
I am sure you will get more help. It may be a case of start again unless such an old plant responds to a hard prune which may be possible. Good Luck Suze

clematisdorset · 10 January

Just a thought: do you think the roots are trying to escape from 'teabag mesh'. ? The drooping leaves happened to a plant of mine and I discovered the roots were trapped:

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1074411/cotinus-wilt#latest

Schefflera arboricola dying?

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