Polyscias

Family. Araliaceae.

Origin. Asia, New Zealand.

Description. The genus Polyscias includes about 80 species of graceful evergreen shrubs or small trees. The stems become woody with age and are covered with light brown bark. The size and shape of the leaves depend on the specific species. Some shrubs are characterized by round, glossy, dark green leaves with a jagged edge, while others have deeply lobed palmate leaves. Variegated forms are distinguished by a light edge of the leaf blade. In summer, small greenish flowers may form, collected in inflorescences - umbrellas, but flowering is not of particular interest.

Height. In indoor conditions can grow up to 1 - 1.5 m.

Caring at home

Plant propagation 

Often propagated vegetatively, using stem cuttings 8-10 cm long. The lower leaves are removed from the cuttings, and the bases are sprinkled with rooting powders. Young seedlings are covered with glass or a transparent plastic cap to maintain uniform humidity. Plantings are kept in a warm place with a temperature of 21 °C, rooting occurs within 3 weeks.

Diseases and pests 

With insufficient drainage and excessive watering, plants rot. Insufficient lighting leads to partial loss of leaves in the fall. With insufficient air humidity, leaves turn yellow and fall off. Leaves get burned under direct sunlight. If young leaves turn pale and become smaller, the bush lacks nutrients.

Among the harmful insects that can settle on plants are aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects, and thrips. 

Growing, pruning 

Too long and weak shoots are cut in spring to maintain a compact shape. At temperatures above 21°C, air humidity and watering frequency should be increased. Bushes should be kept away from heating devices. Polyscias does not like sudden changes in temperature and lighting.

Soil 

Representatives of the genus adapt well to any soil with an acidic pH; a mixture of garden soil, peat, leaf humus with a small amount of coarse sand and crushed charcoal is suitable for growing.

When it blooms 

Sometimes flowers appear on the plant, but the main attraction of polyscias is the foliage.

Water polyscias 

Watering should be moderate in spring and summer; dry the soil to a depth of 5 cm between waterings.  For irrigation, it is advisable to use softened bottled or rain water. In winter, protect the soil from drying out completely. Drain excess moisture from the tray a few minutes after watering. 

Lighting

A brightly lit place without direct sunlight. 

Containment temperature

The indoor plant needs warmth throughout the year. In spring and summer, the temperature should not fall below 18°C; in the winter months, do not expose the tree to temperatures below 15°C. This genus does not have a pronounced dormant period, but slows down its growth in winter.

Fertilizer 

During the growing season, feed with water-soluble fertilizers every 2 weeks. In autumn and winter, fertilizing is not carried out. 

Spraying

High. Spray the leaves with water at room temperature, especially on hot summer days. Place the plant on a tray of damp pebbles or use a room humidifier. 

Purpose

Polyscias are very attractive ornamental foliage trees that can be grown in bonsai style.

Note

Almost all plants are poisonous - keep them away from children and pets.

Varieties:

Polyscias scutellaria

An evergreen branched shrub or small tree with a height of 1 to 6 m. At home, it is often grown as an ornamental foliage plant in the bonsai style. The plant has green, glossy, rounded leaves with branched veins, on long petioles. The lower surface of the leaf blades and the part of the leaf near large veins is often colored burgundy. The leaves are arranged alternately. The trunks of the bush are covered with light brown smooth bark. 

Polyscias scutellaria 'Fabian'

An attractive evergreen, multi-stemmed shrub with erect shoots abundantly branched at the base. With age, the shoots become woody and covered with light brown bark. The plant is abundantly covered with dark green, glossy, rounded leaves on long petioles up to 5 cm in diameter. 

Polyscias fruticosa

An aerial evergreen perennial that can grow either as a shrub or a small tree 1 - 2 m high. The leaves are light green, palmately dissected, on long, flexible petioles. The leaf fingers have large teeth along the edges. Some plants have complex leaves, consisting of several oblong-lanceolate, coarsely toothed segments.

Polyscias filicifolia

Spectacular decorative deciduous evergreen shrubs with a height of 180 to 250 cm. The plants have green, abundantly branched shoots, which become woody with age and are covered with brown bark. The leaves are delicate, lacy, pinnately dissected or compound - consisting of several linear segments. Shades of leaf blades include a wide range of green colors, the edges of the leaf blades often have large teeth. The leaf petioles are long, curved, and thin. The surface of the leaves is glossy. 

Polyscias balfouriana

Evergreen plants, in their natural habitat reaching a height of 4 - 5 m. These decorative deciduous shrubs have powerful, abundantly branched stems covered with light brown bark. The leaves are arranged alternately, on long, thin petioles. The leaf blades are round in shape with uneven teeth along the edge, dark green, glossy. Young leaves that have just appeared often have a lighter shade. There are variegated variations with white or light green stripes along the edges of the leaf blades. With age, this species may lose its lower leaves and expose the trunk, but this only gives it additional attractiveness.