Evelyn’s Indoor Garden: ‘Gardening Indoors under Artificial Lights’ the Journal

 Hello, Darlings 

I thought it better to create a PDF of my journal than post each entry separately. This I can start post my recent entry. 

Therefore, here it is all 156 pages of my honest, unedited and forthright experiences in indoor gardening.

Evelyn’s Indoor Garden

‘Gardening Indoors under Artificial Lights’

 The entry below is my current entry with corrections.

03/22/2024 – my new Schefflera Amate (Umbrella Tree)/(Schefflera actinophylla) arrived today it is beautiful and healthy. It is 3 3/4 feet tall and in a 10” pot. It arrived pot bound, but I wait until next spring to pot up, considering it does well in medium light areas, it will do well here in the house. In addition, I will try bottle-feeding it every two weeks.

Schefflera Amate (Umbrella Tree)

 

PRO TIP: Every three months, rinse your plant’s leaves with room temperature water in the shower. This helps prevent pests and remove any dust that is accumulated, ensuring they’re able to photosynthesize efficiently and show off that trademark gloss.

Native to tropical regions such as Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, the Umbrella Tree is a full and bushy plant known for its large, glossy leaves. It prefers a bright, non-direct light and can tolerate lower light levels as well. If placing it in a lower light environment, reduce water accordingly. With a developed root system, the Schefflera can be watered less frequently than most other plants and is prone to root rot, so error on the side of dryness when deciding whether to water or not.

 

Care Level 

Moderate.

Light Requirements
Prefers bright indirect light, but is adaptable to lower light conditions. This plant will not tolerate no light. 

Water Requirements

Be sure to water your plant upon delivery. Schefflera like dry soil and will rot when too much moisture is present. When the soil is dry 1-2" of the way through the pot, then the plant is ready to be watered. In lower light conditions, be sure to water more sparingly. 

Humidity Preference

Medium humidity; place your plant away from hot or cold air drafts. The Schefflera appreciates an occasional misting. 

Benefits: Large Impact & Low Maintenance

Schefflera trees are large and full, so when looking for a medium light tolerant plant with a big presence, the Schefflera is the way to go. Their ability to thrive in lower light spaces and preference for periods of drought make them a great low maintenance option.4 Schefflera Amates like to dry out significantly between waterings. The most common mistake made with these plants is overwatering. Let the soil almost completely dry out between waterings. Typically, you don’t want to water your Schefflera more than once every 10 days. Do not water if the top half of the potting medium is still moist.

The Schefflera can grow upwards of 8 feet tall indoors and 65 feet outdoors. To tame the plant's growth and maintain a bushier appearance, prune the new growth tips. Make sure to do all pruning with sharp, sterilized blades.

Rotate plant periodically to ensure even growth on all sides and dust the leaves often so the plant can photosynthesize efficiently. When dusting the leaves, also take the opportunity to inspect the undersides and keep an eye out for pests.

Next time, my backyard garden journal: "How My Garden Grows, or Not, Sic"

My reference books, dating back to 1975.

Until then.

      Chow, Darlings