yougotval:
The plant that is leaning can be staked anytime of year. As the tree gets older it should grow a more sturdy trunk for better support. S. arboricola is a very popular landscape plant here in the south. I have the variegated type in the ground and one large solid green variety in a container that I've been talking about putting in the ground for many years and still haven't done it! Schefflera is quite easy to propagate by taking 2" - 3" cuttings and placing them in a small pot with a well draining potting medium. Nurseries sometimes pot up many little cuttings in a single pot which makes for a bushier/thicker plant for the market. Give your cuttings and plants bright light but no direct hot sun; direc intense sun will scorch the leaves. To the surprise of many folks the Schefflera arboricola does very well in 50% shade; not deep shade but a bright light situation is sufficient. If they begin to grow in the direction of the light just turn them every so often for even growth.
Here's the link to the plant database for Dwarf Schefflera (S. arboricola):
Dwarf Umbrella Tree (Heptapleurum arboricola)
