Overview of Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant
Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant is a plant species from the Araliaceae family. The plant is native to Papua New Guinea, where it grows in lowland and montane rainforests. It is an important species in the traditional medicine of Papua New Guinea, where it is used to treat a variety of ailments.
Common Names
The plant is commonly known as the New Guinea umbrella tree, due to the appearance of its leaves. It is also known as octopus tree, due to the way the flowers and fruit hang from the branches, resembling the legs of an octopus. In Papua New Guinea, the plant is known as "aliloc" or "kailoc".
Appearance
The Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant is a woody plant, with a single stem that can reach up to 15m in height. The leaves are large, glossy and dark green, with a distinctive shape resembling an umbrella. The plants mature leaves have up to 17 leaflets that radiate from a central axis like the ribs of an umbrella. The plant produces small white flowers that hang down on stalks, approximately 50-80cm in length. The flowers are followed by green fruit, which ripen to dark purple, when they are ready to be harvested.
Uses
The plant is traditionally used in Papua New Guinea to treat a variety of ailments, such as fever, arthritis, and bronchitis, and it is believed to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The bark of the plant is used to make a decoction, which is used to treat dysentery and diarrhea. The fruit of the plant is also edible, although it is not commonly eaten due to its strong flavor.
The Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant is also a popular ornamental plant, due to its striking appearance. It is often grown as a house plant, and its large size and distinctive foliage make it an excellent statement piece for any garden or indoor space.
Overall, the Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant is an important plant both medicinally and aesthetically, with a unique appearance that sets it apart from other species.
Light Requirements
The Schefflera barteri var. urostachya prefers bright, indirect sunlight. It can also tolerate partial shade as long as it still receives some indirect light. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves, so it is not recommended to place it in a location with direct exposure to the sun.
Temperature Requirements
The optimal temperature range for the Schefflera barteri var. urostachya is between 15°C to 26°C (59°F to 79°F). It can tolerate temperatures slightly outside of this range, but extremely low temperatures can damage the foliage. Keep the plant away from cold drafts or areas with temperature fluctuations.
Soil Requirements
The Schefflera barteri var. urostachya prefers a well-draining soil mix that is rich in organic matter. It needs soil that retains moisture while also allowing for good drainage. It is recommended to use a potting mix with perlite or sand to improve drainage. The pH level should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.5.
Cultivation Methods for Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant
Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant is a tropical plant that can be grown indoors or outdoors. It requires bright, indirect sunlight to grow properly. If growing indoors, place it in a room that gets plenty of light but not direct sunlight.
The plant prefers well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. You can use a mixture of peat moss, perlite, and sand to create a well-draining soil that the plant will thrive in. The plant prefers to be kept in a humid environment, and you can achieve this by placing a tray of water near the plant.
Watering Needs for Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant
When watering Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant, you should avoid overwatering. Water the plant when the top inch of soil is dry. Use room temperature, filtered water to avoid damaging the plant. Water the plant until the excess water drains out of the drainage holes in the pot.
During the winter months, reduce watering to allow the plant to go dormant. This will help to promote growth in the spring.
Fertilization for Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant
Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant should be fertilized every two weeks during the growing season. You can use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, following the instructions on the package. Do not fertilize the plant during the winter months as it is in a dormant state.
Pruning Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant
You can prune Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant to control its growth and maintain its shape. Pruning should be done during the growing season, and you should avoid cutting too much of the plant at once as this can cause damage to the plant. Remove any dead or damaged leaves and stems to keep the plant healthy.
If your Schefflera barteri (Seem.) Harms var. urostachya (Harms) Tennant is getting too tall, you can prune the top of the plant to promote growth in the lower branches.
Propagation methods for Schefflera barteri var. urostachya
Schefflera barteri var. urostachya can be propagated through different methods such as:
Stem cuttings:
It is a common and simple propagation method for Schefflera barteri var. urostachya. Stem cuttings should be taken from the parent plant in spring or summer by cutting a 6-inch section of stem with a few leaves attached. The cut end should be dipped in a rooting hormone and then planted in a well-draining, sterile potting mix. The cutting should be watered regularly, and after a few weeks, roots should begin to develop. Once the roots are established, the cutting can be transplanted into a larger pot.
Air layering:
Air layering is a propagation technique used to encourage roots to grow on a stem while still attached to the parent plant. To air layer Schefflera barteri var. urostachya, select a healthy section of stem and remove any leaves or branches from a 4- to 5-inch section of the stem. Wrap moist sphagnum moss around the stem, and then cover it with plastic wrap. After a few weeks, roots should begin to develop within the sphagnum moss. Once the roots are established, the section can be removed from the parent plant and transplanted into a pot with well-draining soil.
Seed propagation:
Schefflera barteri var. urostachya can also be propagated through seeds, but it is not a very common method as the plant rarely produces viable seeds. If you are fortunate enough to have access to seeds, sow them in a tray with well-draining soil, cover them lightly with soil, and keep them moist. Germination should occur within a few weeks, and after a few months, the seedlings can be transplanted into pots.
Division:
Schefflera barteri var. urostachya can also be propagated by division, which is typically done during repotting. The parent plant is carefully removed from its pot, and the roots and foliage are separated into smaller sections. Each section should have a healthy amount of roots and foliage before replanting into a pot with fresh soil.
Disease and Pest Management for Schefflera barteri var. urostachya
Schefflera barteri var. urostachya, commonly known as the Dwarf Umbrella Tree, can be affected by a number of diseases and pests. Effective management practices can help keep the plant healthy and strong.
Common Diseases
The Dwarf Umbrella Tree is susceptible to a number of fungal diseases, including leaf spot and root rot. These can be caused by overwatering and poor soil drainage. Anthracnose is another fungal disease that can affect the plant, causing black or brown spots on the leaves.
Bacterial leaf spot is another disease that can affect the Dwarf Umbrella Tree. It can be identified by brown or black spots on the leaves, and can quickly spread throughout the plant if not managed properly.
Effective Disease Management
To manage fungal diseases, it's important to ensure proper soil drainage and avoid overwatering the plant. Infected leaves should be removed and destroyed to prevent the disease from spreading. Treating the plant with a fungicide can also be effective in controlling the disease.
To manage bacterial leaf spot, it's important to remove and destroy infected leaves and avoid getting water on the plant's leaves during watering. Treating the plant with a copper-based fungicide can also be effective in controlling the disease.
Common Pests
The Dwarf Umbrella Tree is also susceptible to a number of pests, including spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. These pests can cause yellowing and wilting leaves, stunted growth, and an overall decline in the plant's health.
Effective Pest Management
To manage pest infestations, it's important to regularly inspect the plant for signs of pests. If infested, the plant should be isolated to prevent the pests from spreading to other plants. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can be effective in controlling spider mites and mealybugs. Scale insects can be removed by using a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol to wipe them off the plant.
Overall, regular monitoring and good cultural practices are key to preventing and managing diseases and pests in the Dwarf Umbrella Tree.
