Schefflera questions if someone can help

[Kevster]

I bought a big group planting of schefflera late winter from lowes for $5. I divided them and cut 4 of the down to about 1.5 inches above the soil level.
All are doing great.

1. To make their branches split and branch off I've read I have to prune the branch back hard. I have no problem doing this. But do I have to wait for the branches to become woody before I do so or can they be pruned back while still green?

2. Is wiring helpful at all? I tested a few branches when I initially hacked these plants back. There is some give but they also snap unexpected like a #2 pencile. I don't need to move the branches much. Just ever so slight adjustments.

Thanks in advance everyone!
Kevin

 

[tahoe]

to get more branches, you cut all the leaves and the tip off
and yes, you can do this while still green

 

[rockm]

You might have better success at backbudding if you let branches become woody (lignify) before pruning them back hard. Mature woody tissue has had time to set "resting buds" while greener less mature growth hasn't...

 

[Kevster]

Thanks Tahoe!!
Rockm now that you put it like that it makes much more sense. It just seems to take FOREVER for these branches to harden.

 

[mat]

Assuming the plant is healthy, I would cut more than the tip off. I typically get a bunch of buds near the chop, and not so many back along the branch. So, I recommend being aggressive. If they're still green, they must be pretty young. Be patient and let them grow for a bit. Once established, they're almost indestructible.

I've wired them successfully. Just take it slowly. For me, checking the wire is important. Schef's grow fast here in Florida.

 

[Kevster]

Mat when it was bought it was grown as a house plant. It has a 1-1.25 inch trunk an was about 3.5 feet tall. I bought them as a group planting, divided them and chopped anywhere from 1-4 inches above the soil line. So the trunks are woody but all the growth off of it is is new and has been growing since about March.