Schefflera Arboricola Health

[Rogue]

Hello all! As we are in our final stages of preparing for our little man's arrival, we picked up an Umbrella plant today from a local nursery. It appears to have a healthy color and even has new growth, but I noticed the leaves on some stems are "wilted" in shape. Is this normal? The nursery was keeping them inside a greenhouse. I misted it when we got it home along with the Dracaena and Pothos we bought a week ago (only the Arboricola and Dracaena will be going inside his cage for now) and we are expecting cloudy skies and rain all week so I figured it would be safe to keep them all on our covered balcony until out drainage system is finished in the cage. Does this look healthy and normal for an Arboricola? (Sorry about the Catmeleon, he takes advantage of any photo op )

 

[Davecameos]

It looks like it needs some water

 

[Rogue]

It looks like it needs some water

I thought so. We will repot it as well with some fresh potting soil. I will continue to water it unless we do in fact get enough rain daily this week. I thought it looked quite droopy. Thank you!​

 

[JoeDigiorgio]

Some water and should be just right. I don't think it's arboricola though.

 

[JoeDigiorgio]

Look up actinophylla. I think that's it. Same care but this one gets much bigger.

 

[Rogue]

Look up actinophylla. I think that's it. Same care but this one gets much bigger.

I think this IS a Schefflera actinophylla. UGH, I specified that I needed Schefflera Arboricola. Is this one just as safe for Panther Chams? It is going into a 4' tall cage, we will just have to keep it trimmed a LOT more if it is safe. I did see on an old thread that it can be considered poisonous for veiled (I don't know much about veiled but I am assuming they tend to eat vegetation more than Panther's?) It seems to hold water droplets well and has stalky branches. If not, looks like we will be taking it back.

 

[jamest0o0]

It's fine I use them. honestly most plants are. Veiled keepers want to avoid toxic plants because some eat tons of leaves, but panthers usually only chew on branches(weirdos).

 

[Zephalia]

I agree that this is not an arboricola - the leaves are much too large and long. It's certainly a close relation. Panthers can and do eat leaves from time to time so choosing safe plants is the best idea. I find that my younger ones eat more foliage than adults. Branches and leaves.

 

[jamest0o0]

Seriously, don't bother worrying. You'll find people fear mongering with a lot of things. We all realize they can eat leaves. Mine have bitten a couple. So far not dead, check out my pictures. Look pretty healthy to me

 

[Garrett]

This is a Schefflera, but I'm willing to bet it's Amate.. much more common in the nursery trade.
Poisonous to pets (burning taste) but I've used them with parsonii many times and didn't have any problems.
I had a female that would even take bites out of the leaves, she didn't show any outward signs of being poisoned or anything. The pic in my Avatar is her on this same plant

 

[Rogue]

This is a Schefflera, but I'm willing to bet it's Amate.. much more common in the nursery trade.
Poisonous to pets (burning taste) but I've used them with parsonii many times and didn't have any problems.
I had a female that would even take bites out of the leaves, she didn't show any outward signs of being poisoned or anything. The pic in my Avatar is her on this same plant

Thank you @jamest0o0 and @Garrett, you both have put my mind at ease We will give it a go! I appreciate your input as actual users of the same type of Schefflera

 

[kirsten!]

I was just at a nursery looking at this plant for my cham. The employee there said they will wilt if moved around. So if you just got it sounds like the wilting is normal. He said it's a plant you don't want to move around often.

Anyway then I read it could be toxic and since my cham is a tiny little guy I decided to pass and be safe with the arboricola.

 

[Rogue]

Since two experienced keepers seem to be confident my boy will be fine, I will try it out and keep an eye on the leaves for chewing. The plant was already wilted when we grabbed it but now it should perk up. It has been getting some sunshine and rain water today and the Temps have been in the lower 80's with outside humidity around 75% so I will watch it. I agree, most plants in the US are going to be foreign to them (unless we fly over to Madagascar and do some pruning) so just about any live plant could be a potential hazard to any Cham. Good observation is key imo. Thanks all for the input!

 

[Sloppysponge]

It's fine I use them. honestly most plants are. Veiled keepers want to avoid toxic plants because some eat tons of leaves, but panthers usually only chew on branches(weirdos).

I have never seen chew damage or seen any of my panthers chew, weird.

 

[JacksJill]

It seems like young panthers go thru a branch chewing (weird) stage and then never do it again.

 

[jamest0o0]

They gnaw on branches occasionally not all of them, but according to others it's a more common thing with panthers.

As for plants it really depends on how toxic they really are... things like nightshade are deadly, while pothos are considered toxic, but seem to do nothing to Chams. I'd be more worried if I had veileds that strip whole plants than a panther that bites a leaf once and awhile.

 

[Crashbandit05]

I'm not 100% but the scheflerra you have is the outdoors variety.

 

[Rogue]

I'm not 100% but the scheflerra you have is the outdoors variety.

Hmmm, it was being kept in a greenhouse and the nursery said it is a house plant but I will check into that.

 

[ColeCham333]

i picked up a few schefflera arboricolas at Home Depot. They have ones that are about 3 feet tall and they cost only like 13 bucks per plant. Lowe's has them too for the same price

 

[Rogue]

i picked up a few schefflera arboricolas at Home Depot. They have ones that are about 3 feet tall and they cost only like 13 bucks per plant. Lowe's has them too for the same price

Unfortunately we checked our local ones and they don't have any Might be a local stock issue.