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Dinner Plate Aralia, known as Polyscias balfouriana or Fabian Aralia, is a shrubby plant with large, round, slightly concave leaves that are often tinged with dark red.
Latin name
Polyscias balfouriana “Fabian”
Pronunciation
(“pol-isk-EE-uss bal-four-EE-ah-nah”)
Common name
Fabian Aralia
Origin
New Guinea, North-eastern Australia (Queensland)
The plant has woody stems and can resemble a small tree when large (in the wild it can grow to 8m in height). Related to ivy and Schefflera, Polyscias species produce similar looking floral structures and berries, although this is very rare indoors. If they do occur, it is best to remove them as they can be toxic.
Polyscias species also have a glands that produce a pungent scent when they are stressed – somewhat spicy or like over-brewed coffee
Mildly toxic to pets and humans if ingested. It contains saponins that can cause nausea, vomiting, and oral irritation in cats, dogs and people
caring for your plant
Light
Medium to medium-high light.
Watering
Medium. Keep the soil moist, but not wet. If the plant gets water stressed, it will give off a pungent smell. The plants benefit from regular misting with tepid water, which will also deter two-spotted spider mites.
Pruning
Prune to keep an attractive shape. Removing the top of the plant (or ends of most stems) will encourage branching. Like most members of the ivy family, it is possible to grow new plants from the cuttings.
Feeding
Add some dilute fertilizer to the water every time you water the plant.
pest & diseases
Mealybugs and two-spotted spider mites can be troublesome. Keep a close eye on the undersides of the foliage and remove any pests as soon as you see them with a damp cloth or paper towel. Low humidity encourages spider mites, and if left unchecked, can do a lot of damage to the plant.
Our plants are grown in Ecoponic, an alternative to soil. Officially known as a vulkaponic substrate, it replaces traditional compost with a clean, mineral-based medium that helps protect peatlands.
According to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, “A loss of only 5% of UK peatland carbon would be equal to the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.” As well as storing carbon, the natural wetlands where peat is found are critical to the survival of plants and wildlife. Ecoponic also improves plant health and uses water more efficiently.
Find out more about Ecoponic here.
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