The Balfour aralia, also known as the Polyscias balfouriana or Polyscias scutellaria ‘Balfourii’, is an elegant indoor plant that is increasingly becoming a popular choice for plant parents With its graceful, tropical foliage and easy-going nature, it’s no wonder this plant is catching everyone’s eye However, to keep your Balfour aralia thriving, it’s important to understand its growth stages and care needs during each phase. This guide will walk you through the various life stages of the Balfour aralia, offering tips to support healthy growth every step of the way.
Seed Germination Stage
Germination is the very first stage of growth for a Balfour aralia. It begins when the seed’s protective outer coating cracks open and the root emerges. This kickstarts the process of growth.
To encourage successful germination
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Use fresh Balfour aralia seeds within a year of harvesting. Viability decreases over time.
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Plant seeds in a sterile, well-draining starting mix. Perlite or vermiculite added to regular potting soil improves drainage.
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Maintain warm temperatures of 70-75°F. Cooler temperatures will delay or prevent germination.
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Keep seeds moist but not saturated. Mist regularly or cover with plastic to retain moisture.
Germination usually occurs within 2-3 weeks. Once the root establishes and leaves begin to unfurl, the plant enters the seedling phase.
Seedling Stage
In this stage, the baby Balfour aralia focuses on root and leaf growth. The plant is fragile at this point and requires extra care.
Here are some tips for this stage:
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Place seedling in bright, filtered light. Direct sun will burn the tender leaves.
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Keep soil moderately moist. Allow top inch to dry out before watering again.
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Maintain warm temperatures around 70°F. Cool drafts can shock the plant.
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Use a weak liquid fertilizer at 1/4 strength every 2-3 weeks. Avoid over-fertilizing.
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Transplant to a larger container if roots become crowded.
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Monitor for pests like fungus gnats that target seedlings.
The seedling stage typically lasts around 2-3 months before the plant transitions to the juvenile phase.
Juvenile Stage
In the juvenile phase, the Balfour aralia grows quickly, developing a bushy form with new leaf sprouts. This stage can last up to 2 years.
Follow these tips during the juvenile period:
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Increase light exposure gradually. Acclimate to semi-bright, indirect light.
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Water thoroughly when top 2 inches of soil becomes dry. Don’t let sit in water.
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Maintain average room temperatures between 65-80°F.
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Feed every 2 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Prune back leggy growth to encourage bushiness.
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Repot annually in spring as needed into a slightly larger container.
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Watch for pests like spider mites that favor young growth.
With the right care, your Balfour aralia will establish a full, healthy form by the end of this critical growth stage.
Mature Growth Stage
Typically after 2-3 years of growth, the Balfour aralia transitions to its mature stage. Growth slows down but the plant focuses on sustaining itself long-term.
Here’s how to care for a mature Balfour aralia:
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Provide very bright, indirect light. A south or west-facing window is ideal.
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Allow soil to dry out further between waterings, but don’t let it become bone dry.
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Average room temperatures between 60-80°F are preferred.
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Fertilize every 3-4 weeks during spring and summer. Discontinue in winter.
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Prune back wayward branches or any dead/damaged foliage.
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Repot every 2-3 years in spring, using fresh potting mix.
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Monitor closely for pests like scale, mealybugs, and aphids. Isolate and treat promptly.
At this life stage, you’ll be able to enjoy the Balfour aralia’s full size and form. With its gracefully arching leaves and tropical essence, it makes a stunning statement plant.
Flowering and Seed Production Stage
While Balfour aralias grown as houseplants typically don’t bloom indoors, mature plants in optimal outdoor conditions may produce flowers and seeds.
If your plant does flower:
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Move to a very sunny outdoor location in spring after the last frost.
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Provide additional water and fertilizer during flowering period.
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Flower stalks can reach 12-18 inches tall and produce small white blooms.
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Seeds develop in late summer to fall and should be harvested promptly.
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Store seeds in a cool, dry location to maintain viability.
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Sow fresh seeds to propagate new Balfour aralia plants.
For indoor growers, flowering is not essential to enjoy this plant. Focus instead on the beautiful foliage.
Signs of Aging
Balfour aralias can live up to 10 years with proper care. As the plant ages, you may notice:
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Slower new growth and less vigorous foliage
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Leaf drop or smaller leaves
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Increased vulnerability to pests and diseases
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Dead lower branches with sparse leaf coverage
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Difficulty recovering from stress or environmental changes
To maximize the lifespan of an aging Balfour aralia:
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Ensure very bright light exposure. Supplement with a grow light if needed.
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Prune back heavily to shape plant and encourage new growth.
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Repot annually in fresh, high quality potting mix.
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Monitor closely for pests and treat promptly. Disinfect tools after pruning.
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Avoid temperature extremes and drafts that can shock the plant.
With attentive care and optimal conditions, you can enjoy your Balfour aralia for many years as it progresses through its natural life cycle. Getting to know what to expect at each stage of growth is key to success with this tropical beauty. Follow the tips outlined here, and you’ll have a thriving and graceful Balfour aralia to adore for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Balfour Aralia Growth Stages
How long does it take for a Balfour aralia seed to sprout?
Balfour aralia seeds can take 2-4 weeks to germinate and sprout under optimal conditions. Maintain warm, moist soil to encourage the best germination rates.
What causes leggy growth in a juvenile Balfour aralia?
Insufficient light often causes lanky, weak growth in young Balfour aralias. Provide very bright, indirect light to help plants grow full and bushy.
Why does my mature Balfour aralia have yellowing leaves?
Yellowing older leaves can indicate under or over-watering issues. Check that your watering schedule aligns with the plant’s needs at its growth stage.
How can I encourage my Balfour aralia to flower and produce seeds?
Move a 3-5 year old plant outdoors in spring after the last frost. Provide very bright light, increased water and fertilizer to initiate flowering.
What is the lifespan of a Balfour aralia houseplant?
With proper care, Balfour aralias can thrive for around 5-10 years indoors. Providing optimal growing conditions maximizes the plant’s health and lifespan.
When should I prune my Balfour aralia?
Prune juvenile plants often to encourage bushy growth. For mature plants, prune selectively as needed to maintain shape and remove dead stems and leaves.
How do I propagate new Balfour aralias?
Take 6 inch stem cuttings just below a leaf node in spring or summer. Root in water or potting mix, then transplant once established. Seeds can also be sown.
Why are some lower leaves dropping from my Balfour aralia?
Natural lower leaf drop is normal as the plant ages. But excessive leaf drop can signal cultural issues. Check light, watering, humidity and fertilization.
Conclusion
Understanding the unique needs and growth habits of a Balfour aralia during its different life stages is the key to raising a healthy, thriving plant. Pay close attention to factors like light, temperature, water and nutrition at each phase. With the proper care, your Balfour aralia will progress through its natural development and bring elegance and vitality to your indoor space for many years to come.
Aralia plant: Ideal conditions to grow
Aralias are pretty low maintenance and perfect for beginners who want to learn gardening. The plant thrives in moderate weather conditions and requires very little sunlight. It doesn’t need extensive care like most flowering plants, which is why it is so popular among people. If you are growing an aralia plant at home, here are some guidelines that will help you take care of it properly:-
Aralia plants require well-draining soil that doesn’t stay wet for extended periods of time. Normal garden soil mixed with some perlite can be the best mix for aralia plants. High nitrogen fertilisers can be added to the soil at regular intervals for better plant growth.
Aralia plants can thrive in low light conditions and don’t require direct sunlight. A few hours of indirect bright light can be enough to keep the plant happy and healthy. When storing an aralia plant, make sure it doesn’t get a lot of sunlight that may scorch the leaves and make them brittle. However, also remember that plants don’t survive in zero sunlight, so some amount of sunlight is required for plant growth.
The best temperature conditions for keeping Aralia plants are between 65-80°F or 15.6°-29.4°C. The plant cannot survive extreme temperatures that go beyond this range.
Aralia plants love humidity and thrive in humid environments. The plant requires at least 50% humidity to survive. If your house experiences low levels of humidity, it is recommended to get a humidifier for the healthy growth of the aralia plant.
Aralia is an ornamental plant that is simply used to decorate the house. It can be added to prayer rooms and exercise rooms to add freshness and some greenery around. It will give your house a very bohemian look especially when kept in living rooms.
It does have a lot of benefits and is used for making medicines in Ayurveda.
Here are some amazing health benefits of Aralia that people rarely know:-
- Aralia contains extracts that are used in Ayurveda to make anti-inflammatory medicines.
- The Aralia plant is said to lower blood pressure and is highly useful for people with hypertension.
- It can help patients who suffer from seizures and epilepsy attacks.
- The plant has antiseptic properties that make it great for treating wounds and bruises.
- It is known to treat menorrhagia and infertility issues.
- Alienates symptoms of constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, and aids digestion.
Common types of Aralia plant
Aralia plants come in different varieties. These plants have mostly round-shaped leaves that are located in clusters throughout the stem and branches. Their leaves even come in other shapes and depend on the type of Aralia you have bought. The most common varieties, however, sport round leaves with curly edges. The leaves can be fully green or have touches of white mixed with them.
Here are some of the top varieties of Aralia that are commonly kept by plant owners:-
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Ming aralia plant
Source: Pinterest
Ming aralia plant can be called a prized possession for people who know the worth of the plant. This aralia plant is highly coveted by gardeners and plant enthusiasts because the plant is rather difficult to source and costs a lot of money. This variety is actually an Indian native and can grow up to 1 to 2 metres in height. The leaves of the ming aralia plant are droopy and have dark green pigment with a glossy texture. The ming aralia plant can also grow upto 3 feet over the years as long as you care for them.
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Variegated white Aralia plant
Source: Pinterest
Variegated white aralia plant is another variety of the aralia plant family. This is another popular variety that has found its place in many homes around the world. The leaves on this aralia plant are round with frilly edges. The colour of the leaves is the most striking feature of the plant. The leaves on the variegated white aurelia have a unique blend of white and green. Unlike many variegated plants, the variegation on the white aurelia plant never reverses completely. The dwarf variety of the white aralia plant is popular as an indoor plant and preferred by people who are not avid gardeners.
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Balfour Aralia plant
Source: Pinterest
The Balfour aralia plant is another favourite of plant lovers due to its big green leaves. This variety of aralia actually produces big round leaves that are less frilly than the white and ming aralias. Balfour aralia has more scattered leaves as opposed to the bunches found in other varieties. The leaves of the aralia plant may have a slight white tinge at the ends and not a full-blown variegation. They are ideal as room decoration and look best when kept on the ground.