Help me please

[amyb2684]

I*more or less rescued*a plant this morning at an estate sale.* They were going to just let it die and throw it away.* I think it might be some kind of ficus and I don't have any experience with live ficus.* I want to replace the fishing poles, pantyhose, ties, sticks, and whatever else might be supporting the tree with one single dowel.* I would also like to see about rooting a section of it so that it could grow up beside itself and provide some support that way.* I also want to plant some ivy in the bottom.* I need to know how to care for this and if these things are possible.*

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*I can't attach a photo, because everytime I try it says it is too large.* Also, I would like to include more than one photo.

[Newt]

Hi Amy,

I'd love to see a picture of your rescued plant.* You will have to reduce the size or you can post the pictures at a free site like photobucket.com and then post the url here for your album.

In the meantime, if the soil is dry, water until the water runs through the drainage holes.* Don't let it sit in water for more then 5 or 10 minutes.*

Newt

[amyb2684]

Here is a full picture* http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...April19045.jpg

If you look close enough you can see some new growth** http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...April19047.jpg

here is a side view...you can see the pantyhose holding it up** http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...April19048.jpg

here is a close up of some leaves** http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...April19050.jpg

Also, I would like to add that the texture of the leaves varies, and they also seem to be curling some, which I am sure is due to the lack of water.* I have lots of house plants and I have been successful in taking care of them, but only if I know how to care for them.* To me this plant seems like it needs help because it just doesnt look right...lol.

[Newt]

Amy, you are now the proud owner of a Schefflera arboricola aka Hawaiian Schefflera or Dwarf Schefflera.* There is a variegated variety too.* Yours isn't so 'dwarf' anymore.* It looks like it needs a bigger pot.* I have one and the leaves tend to curl when it needs water.* It grows happily in a bright spot with no direct sun.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/i...rboricola.html
http://www.denverplants.com/foliage/html/arbs.htm

Many people think it's related to Schefflera actinophylla aka Brassaia actinophylla aka umbrella tree.
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/i...inophylla.html
http://www.denverplants.com/foliage/html/amate.htm

Newt

[amyb2684]

Thank you very much for your help.* I found lots of great info from those sites and now can find more since I know what kind of plant it is.* I now have it in a very good south window and plan on buying some dowels on the next trip to the store.* I am a bit surprised that it needs a bigger pot, but I planned on getting rid of the ugly pot it came in anyways.* Would you suggest giving the plant time to acclimate before I repot it??* Also, I have had a hard time finding information about whether or not I can plant an ivy in the soil with it.* You seem to know alot so I thought*I would just ask.* Thank you again.*

[Newt]

Amy, you are so very welcome!* Sorry I forgot to answer your question about adding the ivy.* You could do that once you repot.** I agree that you might want to wait a couple of weeks before you repot to give it time to adjust.*
As far as the pot size, a good guide is one third the height of the plant.* When repotting, a pot 2" larger is what is recommended, but if you are going to add ivy all around the base, then you might want to go 3" larger.* If the roots of your tree are very rootbound, you should be able to tease them out of the rootball and that would help if you add the ivy and use a pot larger then 2".

I forgot to mention that the leaves look dusty.* If you can wrestle it into a bathtub, you might want to wash them off.

Newt