bennybenben
Yamadori
I was wondering what a schefflera can withstand down to, the low temperature here in Nor Cal is around the mid 50's so i was wondering when to bring the scheffleras in. Thank you
Schefflera temp.
- Thread starter bennybenben
- Start date
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
I'm pretty sure it's 45°F. You better hear from others first though.
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
Below 50 would be a safe bet. The cold won't hurt them so much, it just slows their growth. Frost is what really gets them.
edprocoat
Masterpiece
I would take it in at 50 degrees, they lose some leaves at 50 and some young branches at 45. Lower temps then that will kill them.
ed
ed
jk_lewis
Masterpiece
Do you KNOW that? Empirical data? Cold weather usually kills plants by freezing the cells; nothing is gonna freeze at 50 degrees F.
I've kept few true tropicals, but I keep those I do have outside until it threatens to frost.
ABCarve
Masterpiece
I just brought mine in and our low temps have been in the mid 40s.
steve27
Mame
Aren't you so post to get your troipicals use to the inside before you crank up the heating system?
Vin
Imperial Masterpiece
Found this and I'm not saying this is gospel but it makes sense:
"Cold damage occurs in Schefflera (and most commonly grown Ficus) starting at temperatures as high as 55* F. The first stage of damage is to photosynthesis. As temperatures approach 50*, photosynthesis stops, causing the tree to shift energy use to batteries (stored energy). The kicker is that it can take many days of temperatures above 55* to allow the plant to regain its ability to make food. Bring your plant in when night temperatures cannot be counted on to reliably remain above 50 - 55*.
Secondarily, sudden chill, or temperatures below 40* can cause phenol compounds to leak through cell walls. This causes symptoms very similar to those caused when tissues actually freeze and death of tissues surrounding leaking cells."
"Cold damage occurs in Schefflera (and most commonly grown Ficus) starting at temperatures as high as 55* F. The first stage of damage is to photosynthesis. As temperatures approach 50*, photosynthesis stops, causing the tree to shift energy use to batteries (stored energy). The kicker is that it can take many days of temperatures above 55* to allow the plant to regain its ability to make food. Bring your plant in when night temperatures cannot be counted on to reliably remain above 50 - 55*.
Secondarily, sudden chill, or temperatures below 40* can cause phenol compounds to leak through cell walls. This causes symptoms very similar to those caused when tissues actually freeze and death of tissues surrounding leaking cells."
mat
Chumono
I've found Scheff's to be much more cold hardy than that. I only bring them in if there's a threat of frost. I have several of various sizes, 4 or 5 in bonsai pots, lots more in nursery containers. I've had the larger ones for at least 5 years and have never had a cold-related issue.
Of course, you can bring them in if it's going to be 45, and they probably won't mind that too much either. I just wouldn't tell anyone that they have to do so. Also, shuffling back & forth may be rougher on them than just letting them sit outside.
Just my 2 cents.
Of course, you can bring them in if it's going to be 45, and they probably won't mind that too much either. I just wouldn't tell anyone that they have to do so. Also, shuffling back & forth may be rougher on them than just letting them sit outside.
Just my 2 cents.
