Schefflera clump

Here is my clump of 5 trees that I have been working on for about 5 years. It loves being outside in the summer but when i bring it in in the late fall for the winter it always gets scale.and once again I have to defoliate the entire tree and spray it. Is there any way to prevent this.

Drastic cut back.

Not really. When you have high light conditions like outside the stems and foliage stay short and small. When I defoliate inside the stems and foliage are longer and bigger.

Try the dry tablet systemic insecticides for the scale insects. Provado Sticks are often recommended here but I'm not sure of their availability outside Northern Europe. In the UK I've found Axoris Quick Sticks which do the same job.

Billy M. Rhodes wrote:Drastic cut back.

I meant it needs a drastic cut back.

Billy M. Rhodes wrote:

Billy M. Rhodes wrote:Drastic cut back.

I meant it needs a drastic cut back.

how so the foliage is just growing back.

You have these bare stems with leaves at the end. Cut them back very short. Different heights, the shortest an inch.
Since you know the problem will recur, develop a program of preventive spraying before you see the scale. You must use a systemic.
Iris

hi,

i'd be looking at a better front angle too - this one looks like 5 splayed fingers - all too even. Totally agree with cutting the stems back as it obviously buds well - the thinnest trunk cut the shortest, the fattest the longest etc as long as the tree keeps small leaves. If the leaves get much bigger the entire tree needs to be much bigger though - probably 3 times the size to look balanced.

then the roots need seeing to - gradually remove the ugly ones.

cheers Marcus

Why are you defoliating indoors? You want to do your defoliating or drastic pruning in spring & early summer, when the growth is more compact. In this view, I would say your tree is not getting enough light.
Iris

to help get rid of the scale. my tree is outside getting sun from 10am to 4pm the leaves are small this time around. normally they are bigger.

I had "chronic" scale on a Ficus and Fukien Tea. I was vigilant (multiple times per week) about looking for scale and 2-3 years of "vigilance" paid off and the scale problem diminished considerably. I used "Dawn" dish detergent in a spray bottle (a tip from an orchid grower) and also used alcohol on Qtips. Good luck!
Todd

This plant is very easy to livethe stem cuttings, 1 piece body can plug back into the soil moisture or muddy water out roots after a few months. If left in the House should not be watered heavily on land just spray the leaves and stemsTake the feed in spring-summer with the pruning ongoing-only to a maximum of 2 leaves to cut the buds

I love these plants, easily grown...

Greetings
Vlado