30 year old Umbrella tree

[Klowda]

Hi,

I inherited a 30+year old Umbrella tree 4 years ago. It is in a big pot and was cut short, but over time in my kitchen it has grown very tall. Recently it started turning yellow and leaves dropping. I'm watering the same way, so I can only think it's too big for its pot. I can't repot it, it's huge!!
It does have new shoots. Does it need a feed or should I cut it back? I like it being tall, but I could trim it down and cut some of the new growth back. The yellowing is happening mostly in the middle. There is a window above it, so it's growing towards that.

I'd hate to damage it considering how old it is!?! Plus it started out as an office plant that was about to be binned!

Thanks.

 

[Anniekay]

That's a gorgeous plant !! Four years ? I would say that the soil is totally depleted and you need to give it new soil. Transplant it into a slightly bigger pot is what I would do. You can cut it back just before repotting it to make it easier to handle. It will, as you know, grow right back.

 

[Klowda]

That's a gorgeous plant !! Four years ? I would say that the soil is totally depleted and you need to give it new soil. Transplant it into a slightly bigger pot is what I would do. You can cut it back just before repotting it to make it easier to handle. It will, as you know, grow right back.

Thank you! Could I keep it in the same pot by giving it plant feed? Can I just clip the bigger branches off at any place?

Last question! Will I need to keep repoting it every 4 years??? It's not going to fit in the house 🫣

 

[cpp gardener]

A couple of options:

Just use a mild dose of fertilizer on a monthly basis.

Cut a foot or two off the top and plant in a pot about 4” wider than what it’s in. Don’t disturb the roots.

Cut it back about 1/2 to 2/3, wash the old soil off and remove any curling roots. Replant in a coarse potting soil with peat moss, fine bark, coir chunks, perlite, pumice, or sand. Use any two organic and inorganic components ( like peat moss, coir, perlite and sand or bark, coir, pumice and perlite)You can repot it into the existing pot.

The last option, while more work and ending up with a smaller plant, is likely to stimulate the most new growth. It also works best if you have a very bright location that is comfortably warm all the time. I’ve done all of them and had good results.

Happy Plant Parenting!

 

[Klowda]

A couple of options:

Just use a mild dose of fertilizer on a monthly basis.

Cut a foot or two off the top and plant in a pot about 4” wider than what it’s in. Don’t disturb the roots.

Cut it back about 1/2 to 2/3, wash the old soil off and remove any curling roots. Replant in a coarse potting soil with peat moss, fine bark, coir chunks, perlite, pumice, or sand. Use any two organic and inorganic components ( like peat moss, coir, perlite and sand or bark, coir, pumice and perlite)You can repot it into the existing pot.

The last option, while more work and ending up with a smaller plant, is likely to stimulate the most new growth. It also works best if you have a very bright location that is comfortably warm all the time. I’ve done all of them and had good results.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Oh wow! Thank you. I think I'd be petrified of killing it by handling it so much to put it back in the same pot after removing soil. I'll definitely have to cut it back.. I'm getting brave enough to do that.
Would baby bio houseplant food be a fertiliser? I've done that the past 2 weeks. I'm thinking give that a while, and cut back a wee bit? Maybe 3 more weeks, and if the leaves are still going yellow get a bigger pot.

 

[big rockpile]

I think you need to read up on Umbrella Trees make sure you wear gloves messing with it.

big rockpile

 

[Klowda]

I think you need to read up on Umbrella Trees make sure you wear gloves messing with it.

big rockpile

 

[big rockpile]

I have one same way buy everyone around here is scared to touch it.

From what I understand it can kill you I'm thinking from the sap.

big rockpile

 

[Klowda]

I have one same way buy everyone around here is scared to touch it.

From what I understand it can kill you I'm thinking from the sap.

big rockpile

Shit, I've 2 year old twins that like to play with it!?! Thankfully they have stopped trying to eat it. I helped transplant it before. Don't remember wearing gloves, but it was a big job. It's in a 22inch container now. It's been about 10 years since it's last transplant.

I'll have to do some homework on this before I change him!?!
Thanks

 

[cpp gardener]

It is as toxic as English ivy and it's other relatives. Since you didn't have a severe reaction the last time you worked with it you shouldn't have a problem in the future.

 

[Klowda]

Good to know! Thank you

 

[Klowda]

A couple of options:

Just use a mild dose of fertilizer on a monthly basis.

Cut a foot or two off the top and plant in a pot about 4” wider than what it’s in. Don’t disturb the roots.

Cut it back about 1/2 to 2/3, wash the old soil off and remove any curling roots. Replant in a coarse potting soil with peat moss, fine bark, coir chunks, perlite, pumice, or sand. Use any two organic and inorganic components ( like peat moss, coir, perlite and sand or bark, coir, pumice and perlite)You can repot it into the existing pot.

The last option, while more work and ending up with a smaller plant, is likely to stimulate the most new growth. It also works best if you have a very bright location that is comfortably warm all the time. I’ve done all of them and had good results.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Thanks again for your detailed reply!! I gave it a feed for a few weeks and the leaves stopped falling off. Then today we replanted it into a bigger pot it was very pot bound! I wasn't brave enough to cut it back, but he's looking good as it