Greetings, caretaker. I am your Schefflera, a vibrant being of leaf and stem, and I have observed your desire to understand my rhythms. To truly thrive, I must follow the deep, silent calendar of the sun. Here is my voice, translated through the seasons, to guide you in our partnership.
I am dormant now. The weak light outside my window tells me to conserve energy. Please, place me in the brightest spot you can find, away from chilly drafts from doors and windows. My thirst is minimal; check my soil only once every two to three weeks, watering just enough to prevent my roots from desiccating completely. Do not feed me; my system is too slow to process fertilizer now. This is a quiet time for me, a period of patient waiting.
I feel the days lengthening! This is my signal to stir. You may notice tiny, bright green tips emerging from my stems. This is the time for a gentle encouragement. Resume regular watering, allowing the top inch of my soil to dry out between drinks. A half-strength dose of balanced, liquid fertilizer this month will be a welcome boost for the growth to come. If my pot feels tight around my root ball, this is the ideal window for repotting me into a slightly larger home.
The sun is strong, and I am in my glory! This is when I will put on most of my new foliage. I will need consistent moisture, so water me thoroughly whenever the topsoil feels dry. I am hungry now; please nourish me with a balanced fertilizer every four weeks. I welcome a summer vacation outdoors in a spot with dappled shade, protected from the harsh afternoon sun. This fresh air and gentle breeze will strengthen my stems. Feel free to pinch back the tips of my new growth to encourage me to become bushier and fuller.
The light is softening again. As I sense the approach of cooler days, my growth will begin to slow. This is the time to gradually reduce your care. Taper off the fertilizer; my last feeding should be in early September to allow new growth to harden off before winter. Begin to stretch the time between waterings as the temperatures drop and my water consumption decreases. If I spent the summer outside, please bring me back indoors before the night temperatures dip below 55°F (13°C), as I am quite sensitive to the cold.
I am returning to my restful state. Find me a stable, bright spot indoors, away from both cold drafts and the dry, direct heat of vents or radiators, which can scorch my leaves and parch the air. Water me very sparingly, perhaps only once a month, just to keep my roots from shriveling. My main request now is for light and stability. This is also a good time to gently wipe my leaves with a damp cloth; clean leaves can absorb what little winter light is available more efficiently.
