Hi Stan:

I live in south Edmonton. Thanks again for the advice you gave me for bedding down my rose last fall. I have another question. Yesterday I went to one of the local stores, for a houseplant, the one I got looks like a miniature Umbrella Plant, the girl didn't know the name of it. When we got it home, I did the Gnat treatment, so that's solved. The roots on this plant are growing on the top of the soil. Could you tell me if I can cut those roots off when I transplant it. I think I have to. Could you tell me the name of the plant, also.

Thank You in advance,
Marina

Marina - Good to know the previous problem was solved.

The plant you now have is in fact a Schefflera, but a miniature one, sometimes called 'nannas', and roots showing on the top soil, is caused by very humid and warm conditions. If you re pot the plant, cover the surface roots with no more than an inch of potting mix.

They will do well in bright light and room temps. In the summer, they can be grown in the pot, outdoors, but away from bright sun that will burn the leaves.

After a few weeks in the new potting mix, apply half strength triple 20 fertilizer, and after the 5th or 6th watering, another feeding will keep the plant growing to produce many more side branches and multi-stemmed growth from the base of the plant.