A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum What plant is this?

Does anyone know what type of plant this is?

Here is another picture of it....

It looks like a type of schefflera. But not a kind that I have. Check out Brassaia actinophylla

It says that it's an umbrella tree. On the ones I found online the stump or the whatever it is you'd call it isn't growing in weird ways like this one. I tried to straigten it out, but it won't go. I just have it being supported by a thingy. Is it supposed to grow that way?

I saw that you had a twisted trunk. I think that adds interest. The trunks are ropey when they are young. I have seen them braided. I got a very small one about 14 years ago. It was a newly rooted cutting in a little tiny 1 inch pot. It is now over 10 feet tall and I keep cutting in back. The trunk is about an 8 inch diameter now. Of course that is outside in my mild climate.
If you are wanting a straighter trunk, You are going to need to prune it. I would start by pinching out any new top growth until it developed some branches/leaves lower down. Then cut down to the new growth. These are actually fairly easy to root from cuttings also. I have taken some from mine and shared them.

the trunk may also be twisted from lighting issues. if the light gets to it from a single direction, and you wait too long to turn it, it will get that twisted effect. very interesting!

I actually just acquired this tree this weekend. My stepmom said that she's had it forever. It's been inside all the years of it's life. I don't remember how old she said that it is. I don't mind the twisty trunk, I think it's kinda cool. So to propagate it if I ever choose to do that, I just take off one of the new sets of leaves and put it in water?? I think it'd be super cool if I could have it outside, but it'd never make it here thru our winters. Is the twisty trunk bad for it? I'll just make sure I always have it supported.

Tupidanthus

actually, to propagate it, you need a few of the sets of leaves on a stem together, like how the end of a stem stays green for a while, but you have 4-5 sets of leaves sticking out in all directions from it. you can use that green part. the woody part won't work. and what i do is just poke the starts down in the pot with the momma.

Ok. I think I'm understanding what you're saying Jiffymouse. I use one of the long stems that has 4 or so leaves on it and stick it in the dirt with the mommy? Do I have to take off more than just one set of leaves, or can I just use one long one?

It is a schlefflera. I have one. It's got leaves a bit different than the more common ones.

you need a section of the thick stem that the long piece with leaves grows from. there should be at least 3 of the long pieces with leaves on the section of the thick stem. 5-8 is better, as long as it is still green.

you will want to cut off the bottom 2-5 long pieces as this is where the roots will start. that is what you stick in the soil. while it is rooting, you will want the soil a little more moist than normal, but not soaking.

hope this helps! rooting powder also helps.