Question
Monroe, Louisiana
Hello!  I trimmed back part of a Schefflera plant I have at my office at work.  After leaving it in water for I guess about a month, it has roots growing from the bottom of the stalk :)  Right now it has about 5 little roots growing and they are about 3/4 inch long.  When and how do I go about getting them out of the water and into the dirt in a way that will keep the plant growing?
Thank you!  Dana

Answer
Dana, I would first plant it indoors in a pot containing a good potting soil to minimize transplant shock. Allow the roots to establish for several months before moving the plant outdoors. Once you are ready to transplant to the garden, you must first acclimate the plant to outdoor conditions. This normally takes about one week. I always recommend placing the plant in a protected area such as a porch or patio area for the first two days. Make sure it is protected from direct sunlight, otherwise the plant can suffer from leaf scald. On the third day, move it into the sun for no more than four hours. Increase this period by two hours each subsequent day until the plant is out in the open for the entire day. You can then remove the plant from the pot and plant it directly into the garden.

Good luck, and please write again if you ever need assistance.

Regards,

Mike